## 6 Geosynthetic Applications  
Smart geosynthetics can contribute to sustainable infrastructure development in several ways:  
**Early detection of issues**: Smart geosynthetics integrate sensors that can monitor various parameters such as strain, deformation, temperature, and moisture content [118]. By continuously monitoring these factors, smart geosynthetics can detect early signs of potential problems, such as slope instability, soil erosion, or excessive settlement. Timely detection allows for prompt intervention and remediation, preventing more significant damage and reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements. **Improved maintenance and asset management**: Real-time data provided by smart geosynthetics enable proactive maintenance and asset management [118; 239]. By monitoring the condition of geosynthetic materials and their surrounding environment, infrastructure managers can make informed decisions about maintenance schedules, prioritise resources, and allocate funds more efficiently. This helps in optimising the lifespan of the infrastructure, reducing downtime, and maximising its performance. **Enhanced safety**: Smart geosynthetics contribute to safer infrastructure by providing continuous monitoring and early warning systems [113]. For example, in geotechnical applications such as retaining walls or embankments, sensors embedded in smart geosynthetics can detect signs of structural instability, allowing for timely evacuation or intervention to prevent accidents or failures. This improves the overall safety for both infrastructure users and nearby communities. **Resource efficiency**: By enabling real-time monitoring, smart geosynthetics can help optimise resource usage [239]. For instance, by monitoring soil moisture content, irrigation systems in green infrastructure projects can be automated to provide precise water requirements, reducing water waste and promoting efficient water management practices. Similarly, real-time data on temperature and humidity can aid in optimising energy consumption in geosynthetically lined buildings or landfills. **Data-driven decision-making**: Smart geosynthetics generate a wealth of data that can be analysed and utilised for data-driven decision-making. By integrating these data with advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms, infrastructure managers can gain valuable insights into the performance of geosynthetic materials, geotechnical conditions, and environmental factors [239]. This information can guide design improvements, inform future infrastructure projects, and support evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development. **Reduced environmental impact**: Smart geosynthetics can contribute to reduced environmental impact in multiple ways. By detecting and addressing issues early on, they help minimise the potential for environmental hazards and ecological damage. Additionally, by optimising maintenance and asset management, they reduce the need for extensive excavation or disruptive repairs, minimising disturbance to natural habitats. Furthermore, by facilitating resource efficiency, they support the sustainable use of water, energy, and other resources, reducing the overall environmental footprint. By leveraging the capabilities of smart geosynthetics, sustainable infrastructure development can be achieved through improved safety, enhanced resource efficiency, proactive maintenance, and informed decision-making. However, it is crucial to consider the limitations and challenges associated with implementing and maintaining smart geosynthetics to ensure their successful integration into sustainable infrastructure projects. Because of their numerous advantages, smart geosynthetics exhibit a wide range of applications other than geotechnical ones and are used in various fields.