bonding to secure the fibers in the web all geotextiles are characterized by performance and index tests a performance test attempts to predict geotextile performance in the environment of intended use an index test measures a physical property of the geosynthetic without consideration of specific intended use tensile properties are evaluated in geotextiles to determine effects of stress and strain forces on the fabric tensile performance is measured by astm specified standards using constant rate of elongation tests including grab breaking load and elongation test wide strip test and performance strength by wide strip tensile method puncture and burst resistance is measured by a rod puncture test and diaphragm bursting test respectively tear resistance can be measured using the trapezoid tear test to examine the feasibility of applying specially constructed nonwoven geotextile fabrics to prevent or inhibit infestation by insects an initial determination was the most effective commercially available fiber to use for the construction of the fabric to prevent penetration this was determined by considering several factors the minimum threshold level of fabric density for each component fiber type to prevent penetration of the fabric by fire ants was critical the effects of the number of needle punch density consolidation technique for fabric production of a nonwoven fabric on penetration of the fabric by fire ants were then taken into consideration as well as the fabric degradation caused by soil and mulch these foregoing factors were considered along with material cost to determine the optimum material and cost.