September 2020

Geosynthetics

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 Geosynthetics

Geosynthetics are widely used to reinforce soil masses in the design of retaining walls and slopes. In these
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) applications, horizontal layers of the geosynthetics are sandwiched
between compacted layers of ll during construction. The principal parameters in design are the tensile
strength and stiffness of the geosynthetic, and the soil–geosynthetic interface shear and bond resistance.
The application of geosynthetics in civil engineering is becoming more and more recognized nowadays
because of its special advantages. Geosynthetics have proven to be among the most versatile and cost-
effective ground modication materials.

Their usages have expanded rapidly into nearly all areas of civil, geotechnical, environmental, coastal, and
hydraulic engineering. In this edition of eMag-Lounge we have covered topics such as types of
geosynthetics for ground performance improvement, application of Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering,
geotextile tubes for coastal and marine construction and geomembrane application.

September 2020 • Constrofacilitator 2

 Different types of geosynthetics for
04
ground performance improvement

The Application of Geosynthetics in

08
Civil Engineering

Geotextile tubes for coastal and

12
marine construction

Geomembrane use for Multiple

15
Application

4 8
12 15

3 Constrofacilitator • September 2020

GEOSYNTHETICS FOR GROUND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

Different types of geosynthetics for ground

performance improvement

G
eosynthetic is defined lar over the past fifteen years. The material tiles, however not in the traditional sense of
as a planar product man- owes its success in more than 80 applica- the word. They are no natural materials like
ufactured from a poly- tions to a large extent to its resistance to cotton, wool or silk. Geotextiles are syn-
meric material that is biodegradation. Geotextiles are indeed tex- thetic fibers that can be made into a flexible,
used with soil, rock, or
other geotechnical-
related material as an
integral part of a civil engineering project,
structure, or system. Most geosynthetics
are made from synthetic polymers of poly-
propylene, polyester, or polyethylene.

There are different types of geosynthetics

for ground performance improvement.
Each of them are explained below.

Geotextiles

Geotextiles are a kind of geosynthetic mate-

rial that has become more and more popu- Geotextile

September 2020 • Constrofacilitator 04


porous, nonwoven needle felt fabric. They
are porous to water flow, to a varying
degree. Geotextiles are porous to liquid flow
across their manufactured plane and also
within their thickness, but to a widely varying
degree. There are at least 100 specific
application areas for geotextiles that have
been developed; however, the fabric always
performs at least one of four discrete func-
tions: separation, reinforcement, filtration,
and/or drainage. Geotextiles form one of
the two largest groups of geosynthetics.
They are textiles consisting of synthetic
fibers rather than natural ones such as cot-
ton, wool, or silk. This makes them less sus-
ceptible to biodegradation. These synthetic
fibers are made into flexible, porous fabrics
by standard weaving machinery or are mat-
ted together in a random non woven man-
ner. Some are also knitted.
Geogrid
Geogrid is a category of geosynthetic mate-
rial that can be used to provide the functions
of: reinforcement, stabilization, and filtra-
tion. The main function of Geogrids is rein-
forcement. Depending on the application
under consideration, Reinforcement could
either be uniaxial (strength in one direction)
or biaxial (strength in all directions). They
are graded by a number of performance
properties for instance tensile strength, junc-
tion efficiency or trade name. One of the
most common applications for a geogrid is
for the stabilization of poor soils during
sitework. Construction projects often
encounter weak, wet soils that are not suit-
Geogrid
GEOSYNTHETICS FOR GROUND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
Geonet
able to build on. Conventional approaches
to this problem would be to remove and
replace (over excavation) the bad material,
place a thick layer of aggregate, or other
granular material, as a bridge layer, or chem-
ically treat the soil to improve it's strength.
Geogrids provide a simpler, more cost-
effective solution using the functions of fil-
tration and stabilization.
Geonet
A geonet is a geosynthetic material consist-
ing of integrally connected parallel sets of
05
ribs overlying similar sets at various angles
for in-plane drainage of liquids or gases.
Geonets may be used as either liquid or gas
collectors. The typical applications for these
products are in all applications that require
drainage/collection of gas and leachates
(mining and landfill) and filtration of sedi-
ments contained within these liquids.
Transnet® is specially formulated to allow for
use in high load applications such as landfill
cells and where compression resistance is
critical. Geonets are used at road construc-
tion, their restoration and repair in order to
improve the road surface quality, decrease
washboard formation, primary and second-
ary reflected cracking.Geonets are a mesh
structure consisting of overlapping
threads/bands (from 3 to 15 mm) at a per-
manent angle (60-90°). This creates equal
holes with the width from 10 to 200 mm.
They are obtained by press forming of ther-
moplastic polymer (usually it is high
strength polyethylene) or welding of
threads/bands.
Geocomposites
Geocomposites are multi-layered combi-
nations of geosynthetics. These combina-
tions provide benefits over individual layers
by enhancing functions, increasing inter-
face friction angles and speed of installa-
tion. With careful design they can provide
drainage, protection, reinforcement, filtra-
tion and barrier functions while replacing
expensive and scarce mineral resources. A
geocomposite consists of a combination of
Constrofacilitator • September 2020
 GEOSYNTHETICS FOR GROUND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
Geocomposites
Geomembranes
geotextiles, geogrids, geonets and/or
geomembranes in a factory fabricated unit.
Also, any one of these four materials can be
combined with another synthetic material
(e.g., deformed plastic sheets or steel
cables) or even with soil. As examples, a
geonet or geospacer with geotextiles on
both surfaces and a GCL consisting of a
geotextile/bentonite/geotextile sandwich
are both geocomposites. This specific cate-
gory brings out the best creative efforts of
the engineer and manufacturer. The appli-
cation areas are numerous and constantly
growing. The major functions encompass
the entire range of functions listed for
geosynthetics discussed previously: sepa-
ration, reinforcement, filtration, drainage,
and containment.
September 2020 • Constrofacilitator
Geomembranes
Geomembranes are being used in environ-
mental, hydraulic, transportation, and oil
and gas applications as well as the waste
industry. The most common type are the
continuous polymeric sheets. A
geomembrane is a very low permeability
synthetic membrane liner or barrier used
with any geotechnical engineering related
material so as to control fluid (or gas) migra-
tion in a human-made project, structure, or
system. Geomembranes are made from rel-
atively thin continuous polymeric sheets,
but they can also be made from the impreg-
nation of geotextiles with asphalt, elastomer
or polymer sprays, or as multilayered bitu-
men geocomposites. Continuous polymer
06
sheet geomembranes are, by far, the most
common.
Geosynthetic clay liners
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are factory
manufactured hydraulic barriers consisting
of a layer of bentonite or other very low-
permeability material supported by
geotextiles and/or geomembranes,
mechanically held together by needling,
stitching, or chemical adhesives. Due to
environmental laws, any seepage from land-
fills must be collected and properly dis-
posed of, otherwise contamination of the
surrounding ground water could cause
major environmental and/or ecological
problems. The lower the hydraulic conduc-
tivity the more effective the GCL will be at
retaining seepage inside of the landfill. Ben-
tonite composed predominantly (>70%) of
montmorillonite or other expansive clays,
are preferred and most commonly used in
GCLs. A general GCL construction would
consist of two layers of geosynthetics
stitched together enclosing a layer of natu-
ral or processed sodium bentonite. Typi-
cally, woven and/or non-woven textile
geosynthetics are used, however polyethyl-
ene or geomembrane layers or geogrid
geotextiles materials have also been incor-
porated into the design or in place of a tex-
tile layer to increase strength.
Geosynthetic clay liners

Turf Reinforcement Mats
Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM) are the ideal
product for long term erosion protection on
slopes and in channels. They are used in
applications where two to three times the
normal erosion protection is necessary.
Made of flexible, three dimensional poly-
propylene, TRMs can mold to the vulnera-
ble area and are anchored to the soil to pro-
mote the growth of vegetation. Use TRMs
for a permanent solution for erosion control
while allowing for mature plant growth.
TRMs are the preferred environmental alter-
native to hard armor. Applications include
protection in drainage ditches, open chan-
nels, steep slopes and detention basins. It
is a permanent, cost effective and environ-
mentally friendly alternative to hard armor
erosion protection solutions such as con-
crete and rip rap. UV and chemical resistant
synthetic polyolefins are manufactured to
create a flexible three dimensional matrix.
Geocells
Geocells mechanically confine soil based
on cell geometry. Upon loading, every poly-
mer material will elongate (creep) over time.
Geocells (also known as Cellular Confine-
ment Systems) are three-dimensional hon-
Geocell
GEOSYNTHETICS FOR GROUND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
Turf Reinforcement Mats
eycombed cellular structures that form a
confinement system when infilled with com-
pacted soil. Extruded from polymeric mate-
rials into strips welded together ultrasoni-
cally in series, the strips are expanded to
form the stiff (and typically textured and per-
forated) walls of a flexible 3D cellular mat-
07
tress. Infilled with soil, a new composite
entity is created from the cell-soil interac-
tions. The cellular confinement reduces the
lateral movement of soil particles, thereby
maintaining compaction and forms a stiff-
ened mattress that distributes loads over a
wider area. Traditionally used in slope pro-
tection and earth retention applications,
geocells made from advanced polymers
are being increasingly adopted for long-
term road and rail load support. Much larger
geocells are also made from stiff geotextiles
sewn into similar, but larger, unit cells that
are used for protection bunkers and walls.
Conclusion
The manufactured quality control of
geosynthetics in a controlled factory envi-
ronment is a great advantage over outdoor
soil and rock construction. Most factories
are ISO 9000 certified and have their own in-
house quality programs as well. The low
thickness of geosynthetics, as compared to
their natural soil counterparts, is an advan-
tage insofar as light weight on the
subgrade, less airspace used, and avoid-
ance of quarried sand, gravel, and clay soil
materials. It is important to choose the right
product with right quality.
Source
geosynthetica.com, bttg.co.uk, tcs-
geotechnics.co.uk, geomat.eu,
en.izopolimer.com, cherokeemfg.com,
quicksupplydm.com, geosynthetics.net.au
Constrofacilitator • September 2020
 GEOSYNTHETICS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
The Application of Geosynthetics in Civil
Engineering
T
he application of
geosynthetics in civil engi-
neering is becoming more
and more recognized now-
adays because of its spe-
cial advantages.
Geosynthetics have proven to be among
the most versatile and cost-effective
ground modification materials. Their
usages have expanded rapidly into nearly
all areas of civil, geotechnical, environ-
mental, coastal, and hydraulic engineer-
ing. Each of the applications is discussed
below.
Geosynthetics in Roadways
Geosynthetics is a planar product manu-
factured from polymeric material used
with soil, rock, earth, or other
08
geotechnical engineering-related material
as an essential part of a man-made project,
structure, or system. These products or
materials can be used, often in conjunc-
tion with natural materials, for an enor-
mous variety of purposes, including all
surfaces of the transportation industry,
including roadways, airports, railroads,
and waterways. The main functions per-
formed by geosynthetics are filtration,
drainage, separation, reinforcement, pro-
vision of a fluid barrier, and environmen-
tal protection. Some geosynthetics are
used to separate distinct materials, such as
different types of soil, so that both can
remain completely intact.
Geomembranes are essentially imperme-
able polymeric sheets used as barriers for
liquid or solid waste containment.
Geogrids are stiff or flexible polymer
grid-like sheets with large openings used
primarily as reinforcement of unstable
soil and waste masses. Geonets are stiff
polymer net-like sheets with in-plane
openings used primarily as a drainage
material within landfills. Geosynthetic
clay liners are manufactured bentonite
clay layers merged between geotextiles
and/or geomembranes and used as a bar-
rier for liquid or solid waste containment.
Geo pipes are perforated or solid wall
polymeric pipes used for the drainage of
various liquids. Geocomposites are
hybrid systems of any, or all, of the above
geosynthetic types, which can function as
specifically designed for use in soil, rock,
waste, and liquid related problems.
Geofoams are lightweight blocks, which
act as void filling materials in certain con-
Constrofacilitator • September 2020
 GEOSYNTHETICS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

struction applications.

The geosynthetic products most com-

monly used in roadway systems include
geotextiles (woven and non-woven) and
geogrids (biaxial and multiaxial),
although erosion-control products,
geocells, geonets (or geocomposite drain-
age products), and geomembranes have
also been incorporated in several applica-
tions. These various types of
geosynthetics can be used to fulfill one or
more specific functions in a variety of
roadway applications. For example,
geosynthetics have been in use since the
1970s to improve the performance of
unpaved roads on soft subgrade soils.
Beginning in the 1980s, geosynthetics
were utilized to minimize reflective Geosynthetics in the Drainage system
cracking in asphalt overlays as well as to age purpose in various projects of civil Geosynthetics in Sandy and Muddy
improve the performance of base aggre- engineering. Various types of aggregate Coastal Management
gate layers. drains are available. The most common
form of aggregate filled drains is the Geotextile tube is one of the geosynthetics
Geosynthetics in the Drainage system French drain which comprises a trench structures that are increasingly used in
filled with free-draining aggregates. coastal protection. Geotextile tubes are
Geosynthetics can be effectively used as made from high-strength geosynthetic fab-
drains and filters in civil and environmen- Satisfying the drainage criterion for con- rics that allow the water to flow through
tal works in addition to or in substitution ventional graded filter design is extremely pores while retaining the filling materials.
to traditional granular materials. expensive. The conditions can easily and They are widely used for dewatering,
Geosynthetics are easier to install in the cheaply be achieved using a geosynthetic flood control, and coastal protection.
field and often cost-effective in situations drainage system. It can perform both Geotextile tubes can be used in various
were granular materials available do not drainage and filtration. Geosynthetic conditions as a result of the low consump-
meet design specifications, are scarce, or allows water to pass along its plane. tion of construction cost and time, the
have their use restricted by environmental Transmissivity. Filtration: Geosynthetic requirement of simple equipment, and
legislation. Conventional graded granular also allows water to pass across its plane, low-skilled workers. Geotextile tubes are
materials are used for filtration and drain- but retain the soil particles. good alternatives for the conventional
hard coastal structures.

However, they have lower resistance to

wave attacks. Also, the design code is
insufficient for geotextile tube applica-
tions. Sandy beaches and mudflats are
two types of the geotechnical stratum of
the coasts. The morphological character-
istics of sandy coasts and mudflats vary
due to the variation in wave propagation
towards the beach. For example, sandy
beaches are continually reshaped by
higher intensity waves and tides. Fine
sand will be washed away and leave
coarse sand to withstand the wave forces.
On the other hand, mudflats that are com-
posed of sand, clay, or fine silt occur at the
coastlines which are protected from
strong waves. Finally, lower wave energy
allows the deposition of fine particles
which further leads to the formation of the
mudflat. In many tropical countries, man-
Geosynthetics in Roadways groves grow along the muddy coast.

September 2020 • Constrofacilitator 09

 GEOSYNTHETICS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

geotechnical structures. In addition to the

factors mentioned above, geotextiles have
been successful because manufacturers
have aggressively developed and mar-
keted them, and because contractors,
designers and owners have elected to use
them. Reasons attributing to the selection
of geotextile application in geotechnical
engineering by contractors, designers and
owners.

Geosynthetics in Landfills

The cover system of the landfill illustrated

in the figure contains a composite
geomembrane/GCL barrier layer. The
drainage layer overlying the
geomembrane is a geocomposite sheet
drain (composite geotextile/geonet).
Besides, the soil cover system includes
geogrid, geotextile, or geocell reinforce-
ments below the infiltration barrier sys-
tem. This layer of reinforcements may be
used to minimize the strains that could be
Geosynthetics in Sandy and Muddy Coastal induced in the barrier layers by differen-
Destruction of mangroves due to shore- are built with granular materials; the tial settlements of the refuse or by future
line erosion allowed the waves to cause integrity of layers of granular soils can be vertical expansion of the landfill. Also,
direct erosion in the beachfront. There- disrupted by erosion, settlements and the cover system could include a geogrid
fore, coastal protection measures are earthquakes while a geotextile layer or geotextile reinforcement above the
essential in both sandy beaches and mud- remains continuous. Besides, geotextile is infiltration barrier to provide stability to
flat. bi-dimensional and flexible materials and the vegetative cover soil. Fiber reinforce-
is well-suited to geotechnical structures ment may also be used for stabilization of
Geosynthetics in slope stabilization subjected to different movements. the steep portion of the vegetative cover
Geotextiles are also useful, either as an soil. A geocomposite erosion control sys-
Geotextile has been used successfully on interface between layers or as a liner or tem above the vegetative cover soil is indi-
numerous occasions to stabilize steep protection at the surface of the mass cated in the figure and protects against
slope in residual soil and weathered rock. sheet and gully erosion.
Geotextile was used as tensile reinforce-
ment and filter to stabilize slopes or
embankments. The geotextile is usually
placed in horizontal layers within the
slope. It is placed along with the slope cut-
ting across potential sliding surfaces in
the soil. The geotextile will reduce the
pore water pressure within the slopes dur-
ing the rainy season, thereby increasing
the shear strength. The geotextile also acts
as a filter that prevents the migration of
soil or sometimes called the internal ero-
sion within the slope. Last but not least,
the geotextile reinforces the soil along
potential sliding zones or planes. All these
will increase the stability of the slope.

Many factors are attributing to the selec-

tion of geotextile in geotechnical engi-
neering. The first fundamental reason is
that there is a need for membrane-like
materials because geotechnical structures Geosynthetics in slope stabilization

10 Constrofacilitator • September 2020


Geosynthetics in Landfills
Geosynthetics in water management
Geosynthetics used in landfills provide
technical and economic advantages over
traditional clay liners. It may create stabil-
ity issues and even lead to landfill failure
due to its low interface or internal shear
strength if improperly designed and/or
constructed. The most common failure
mechanism in geosynthetic-lined land-
fills is transitional failure involving waste
and bottom liner (deep-seated failure) or
only final cover system (shallow failure).
Shear strengths of geosynthetic-
geosynthetic and geosynthetic-soil have a
wide range of variations.
Geosynthetics in water management
Geosynthetics also are used to line hold-
ing ponds for shrimp and fish in large
aquaculture farms. The lined ponds have
many advantages over standard soil or
clay-lined ponds including decreased per-
meability and ease of cleaning and har-
vesting. The low permeability mem-
branes ensure that more water stays in the
ponds. It also assures that disease, should
September 2020 • Constrofacilitator
GEOSYNTHETICS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
it occur, is not allowed to migrate through
the subsurface soils and contaminate
other ponds.
There is a wide range of applications in
which geosynthetics are being used suc-
cessfully to improve the process of storing
and treating water and wastewater. The
applications include decorative ponds,
potable water storage, and wastewater
treatment lagoons. Geosynthetics have
lower permeability and generally are less
expensive and easier to install than alter-
native liners.
Geosynthetics in Erosion and Sediment
Control
Geosynthetics replace traditional materi-
als such as soil and stone in performing
important engineering functions and thus
can be selected via a “design-by-function''
methodology as prescribed by Koerner
(2012). While traditional applications of
geosynthetics perform more common in-
ground functions such as separation and
Geosynthetics in Erosion and Sediment Control
filtration, geosynthetics used in erosion
and sediment controls are used on the soil
surface. As such, they introduce the fol-
lowing unique functions according to
ASTM D5819:
There are two categories of erosion con-
trol systems: The first is termed tempo-
rary or degradable and the second is
termed long-term or nondegradable.
There are numerous types of materials
within these categories according to
Z o g h i , e t a l , ( 2 0 0 0 ) . Te m p o r a r y
degradable systems include conventional
loose mulches, as well as, hydraulic
mulch geofibers (HMG), erosion control
netting (ECN), open weave meshes
(ECM), erosion control blankets (ECB),
and fiber roving systems (FRS). The long-
term systems include conventional sod
and riprap, as well as, turf reinforcement
mats (TRM), fabric formed revetments
(FFR), geocellular confinement systems
(GCS), gabions (G), and articulating con-
crete blocks (ACB). ECNs, ECMs, ECBs,
and TRMs commonly contain
geosynthetic components and are classi-
fied as rolled erosion control products, or
RECPs. Other geosynthetic systems
include FFRs and GCSs.
Info:
innovationtextiles.com, ejge.com,
sciencedirectassets.com, nptel.ac.in,
g e o s y n t h e t i c s s o c i e t y. o rg ,
erosiontest.com, naue.com,
gxcontractor.com, abg-
geosynthetics.com, springernature.com,
geosynthetics.net.au, abg-
geosynthetics.com, geoace.com
11
 GEOTEXTILE TUBES

Geotextile tubes for coastal

and marine construction

Constrofacilitator • September 2020 12


G
eotextile tubes are one of
the largest and most cost
effective options for
dewatering a large site,
lagoon, or waste water
treatment plant. Constructed from a
robust woven geotextile material,
dewatering tubes are able to effectively
remove and contain sludge or sediment
from a water flow. With increased size,
strength, and durability, sludge tubes
are an ideal choice for demanding jobs
or heavy containment requirements.
Geotextile tube systems are highly
effective solutions for coastal and
marine construction. Geotube® systems
are used for shoreline erosion protec-
tion, land reclamation, island creation,
wetlands creation, construction plat-
forms, revetments, dykes, groynes and
offshore structures.
Geotextile tubes involve the fabrication
of close-ended tubular containers
attached with filling ports at regularly
spaced intervals. The Geotube® con-
tainers are hydraulically filled with a
slurry mix of sand and water and the
hydraulic pressure will transport sand
along the inside of the tube. Water will
dissipate through the permeable engi-
neered fabric, while sand will settle out
within the container by gravity. A mono-
lithic structure with compacted sand is
formed and used in a variety of marine
applications.
Geotextile tubes systems are fabricated
using specially engineered woven and
composite fabrics in order to meet vary-
ing tensile strength, durability and envi-
ronmental requirements. The fabric can
consist of either an engineered woven
or a composite geotextile depending
on the application requirements. The
tubular shaped Geotube® containers
typically range in diameter from 1.5m
to 5m.
Advantages of Geotextile tubes for
coastal and marine construction
Geotextile tubes offer a viable alterna-
tive to wet hauling, sludge lagoons,
sand drying beds and other mechanical
methods used for dewatering. The
dewatering method used by geotextile
tubes offer an environmentally friendly
way to reuse decanted water and water
that is placed into storm drainages or
water tables.
Because the speed of dewatering using
geotextile tubes far exceeds that of
open air pits and heavy equipment,
geotextile tubes leave only a small car-
bon footprint and are capable of
dewatering several elements including
wastewater sludge, contaminated
GEOTEXTILE TUBES
dredged material, agricultural animal
waste, industrial sludge and even rem-
nants of shale gas fracking. With bene-
fits like cost efficiency, speed and very
low impact on the environment, sludge
dewatering geotextile tubes are rapidly
gaining popularity in marine dredging,
water and wastewater treatment, con-
struction dewatering, remediation of
agriculture, and protection of precious
shoreline. Geotextile tubes are the lat-
est innovation in saving our shores, are
cost effective, optimize land usage, and
are tough permeable geotextiles that
leave a small environmental footprint.
Geotextile tubes help to prevent storm
damage and protect the environment
through the building of custom marine
structures. The installation of geotextile
containers can be temporary or perma-
nent, and in most cases the structures
are invisible to the coastal environment.
The technology involves the fabrication
of large containers made of specially
engineered textiles, which are filled
with dredged sediments or sand on-
site. Besides natural factors like ocean
currents or typhoons, the increasing
human intervention is also a major fac-
tor causing coastlines to change, such
as construction of harbors or jetties.
Thus many solutions have been tried to
prevent coastlines from being further
eroded. Installing submerged breakwa-
ters along coastlines is one of the effec-
tive methods. Compared to traditional
breakwaters with riprap or concrete,
submerged breakwaters constructed
with geotextile tubes have more advan-
tages including faster construction,
lower carbon consumption, lesser envi-
ronmental impact and lower construc-
tion cost.
Geotextile Tube Benefits
Ÿ Designed for Large Dewatering
Requirements
Ÿ High Strength Woven Fabrics
Ÿ Large Sizes and Capacities
Ÿ Geotextile Tube on the Coast Effec-
tively Filters out Silt, Sediment, and
Waste
Ÿ Easy to Size to your Specific
13 Constrofacilitator • September 2020
 GEOTEXTILE TUBES
Requirements
Ÿ Multipurpose
Ÿ Rated to Handle Various Chemicals
and Contaminated Water
The process of installing Geotextile
Tube
The in-situ dredging spoil is pumped up
by a dredging pump, a process in which
a lot of excess water is included. The
dredging spoil is pumped through a
dredging pipe to the geotextile
dewatering tube. During the pumping,
Promeco continuously measures the
dry solids content and flow rate of the
dredging spoil. In the processing com-
puter, where the data for the mass flow
balance has been entered, based on the
measurements, it is continuously calcu-
lated how much flocculant we need to
use for the dosing. This then takes place
further along in the pipe, possibly add-
ing a quantity of mixing water. A mixing
device in the pipe then mixes the
flocculant with the dredging spoil. Ulti-
mately, dredging spoil dosed with
flocculant ends up in the geotextile
dewatering tube, where the sludge par-
ticles will quickly settle. The geotextile
acts as a filter for the sludge flocs, so
that the released water is completely
clear. This clear water is routed back to
the original surface water.
Ÿ Lay your dewatering tube flat on
Constrofacilitator • September 2020 14
the ground free of all debris that
could damage the tube. Remnant
should be removed if located
within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the project
site. Unstable, erodible surfaces or
material should be removed or sta-
bilized.
Ÿ Align the tubes as straight as possi-
ble and secured and anchored in
place to maintain alignment after
filling. (Larger tubes may require
concrete barriers to prevent the
tubes from rolling during filling. All
unused fill ports should be tied
closed.)
Ÿ The discharge line of the dredge
should be fitted with a “Y-valve” to
allow control of the filling rate. The
Y-valve system should be fitted
with an internal mechanism, such
as a gate, butterfly valve, ball valve,
or pinch valve to regulate dis-
charge into the tube. Any excess
discharge should be directed away
from the tubes.
Ÿ The discharge pipe should be free
of debris that could tear the fill
port. Supporting the discharge
pipe above the fill port will reduce
stress on the fill port seams.
Conclusion
The global marine & hydraulic segment
has been showing robust growth in
recent years due to the geotextile tech-
nology has been improving due to con-
tinuous advancements in its engineer-
ing principles and fabrication tech-
niques. Each geotube, geobag or
geocontainer is designed with well-
structured design formulas and differ-
ent specifications depending on the sci-
entific properties of numerous marine
coasts. For instance, sandy beach
coasts have higher wave energy than
muddy coast beaches. Thus, sandy
beaches require high strength
geotubes with specific height designs
to withstand the wave forces. Addition-
ally, sandy beach coasts also have
higher bed shear strength in compari-
son to the bed shear strength of muddy
coasts. Thus, the installation of
geotextile tubes on muddy coasts leads
to high maintenance costs in the long
term due to the structural settlement of
heavy weighted structures.
The geotextile tubes market in Asia
Pacific is expected to grow at the high-
est CAGR during the forecast period.
This can be attributed to the long coast-
line of the region and rising concerns
over increasing ocean levels. Further-
more, emerging countries such as
China, India, and Mexico are attracting
global players in establishing their man-
ufacturing bases in these regions. In
countries such as China and India, the
increasing investments by the govern-
ment in infrastructure activities are
expected to provide a major boost to
this market. The increased investments
across various technological,
infrastructural, and R&D sectors have
enabled manufacturers of geotextile
tubes to supply high-quality products
to these end-users and capitalize on the
increasing demand in the region.
Info & Image Source:
Erosioncontrol-products.com,
Cmdredging.com, promeco.nl/en,
Marketsandmarkets.com,
Te n c a t e g e o . u s , g e o f a b r i c s . c o ,
landmarinesupply.com, ptgsi.com

G
eomembra
ne is a very
low perme-
ability syn-
thetic mem-
brane liner
or barrier
used with
a n y Research Institute (GRI) has devel-
geotechnic
al engineering related material so as to
control fluid (or gas) migration in a
human-made project, structure, or sys-
tem. Geomembranes are made from
relatively thin continuous polymeric
sheets, but they can also be made from
the impregnation of geotextiles with
asphalt, elastomer or polymer sprays,
or as multilayered bitumen
geocomposites. Continuous polymer
sheet geomembranes are, by far, the
most common.
Properties of Geomembrane
The majority of generic geomembrane
Constrofacilitator • September 2020 15
GEOMEMBRANE FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATION
Geomembrane
use for Multiple
Application
test methods that are referenced
worldwide are by the ASTM Interna-
tional American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) due to their long his-
tory in this activity. More recent are test
methods developed by the Interna-
tional Organization for Standardization
(ISO). Lastly, the Geosynthetic
oped test methods that are only for test
methods not addressed by ASTM or
ISO. Of course, individual countries
and manufacturers often have specific
(and sometimes) proprietary test meth-
ods.
Physical properties
The main physical properties of
geomembranes in the as-
manufactured state are:
Ÿ Thickness (smooth sheet, tex-
tured, asperity height)
Ÿ Density
Ÿ Melt flow index
Ÿ Mass per unit area (weight)
Mechanical properties
There are a number of mechanical
tests that have been developed to
determine the strength of polymeric
sheet materials. Many have been
adopted for use in evaluating
geomembranes. They represent both
quality control and design, i.e., index
versus performance tests.
Ÿ Tensile strength and elongation (in-
dex, wide width, axisymmetric,
and seams)
Ÿ Tear resistance
Ÿ Impact resistance
Ÿ Puncture resistance
Ÿ Interface shear strength
Ÿ Anchorage strength
Ÿ Stress cracking (constant load
and single point)
Applications for geomembranes
 GEOMEMBRANE FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATION
Geomembrane for landfill
Geomembranes are ideal for use in
landfill caps, landfill covers, landfill lin-
ers, temporary landfill closures and
more, due to their ability to effortlessly
accommodate differential settlement in
the waste pile. Its high elongation and
durability make PVC the best environ-
mental liner for these applications. First
utilized as bottom liners for municipal
waste containment and landfill clo-
sures to inhibit rainwater leakage.
Geomembrane is an ideal
geomembrane cover material for appli-
cations in:
Ÿ Municipal solid waste (MSW), and
yard waste (in several states) land-
fill disposal facilities
Ÿ Low-hazard industrial waste, C&D
construction and demolition waste
debris, other nonhazardous indus-
trial waste landfill disposal facilities
Ÿ Coal ash basin closure
Ÿ Facilities that accept fly ash,
cement kiln ash, wood ash, lime
kiln dust, and foundry sands
Geomembrane for caps and closures
Permanent geomembrane caps are
subjected to a great deal of strain in all
directions due to differential settlement
and occasional gas pressure buildup
from beneath. Caps are often placed
on sloped areas and expected to hold
a veneer of other geosynthetics and
soil above them over a long period.
Geomembrane covers are generally
used to protect materials from water
infiltration and to prevent loss of mate-
rial from erosion by wind or water. Addi-
tionally, covers can provide odor con-
trol.
Short-term cover applications include
soil remediation projects, temporary
stockpile covers and erosion protec-
tion on slopes in active construction
sites. Long-term applications include
landfill closure covers or caps. Another
application is to extend the life of
above-ground storage tank roofs.
Geomembrane for pond liner
Pond liners offer a host of advantages
as a pond liner, not all are equal. Even
Geomembrane for landfill
Geomembrane for caps and closures
liners of the same material can show
significant differences in performance.
Setting test methods, standards of
practice, and product specifications
for the manufacturing, design, and
installation of geosynthetics like HDPE
liner are among the purviews of the
Geosynthetic Institute (GSI).
Pond liners are both tough and flexible,
with high resistance to chemicals and
corrosion. They are among the most
durable and long-lasting polyethylene
liners on the market. They can be
fusion weld together, forming perma-
nent seals in the field. The fusion weld-
ing aspect requires an experienced
welder and related equipment to
ensure a quality installation. Pond lin-
ers are safe for both fish and plants.
Overall liners are very cost-effective
and have among the highest service
lifespan of all polyethylene liners.
Geomembrane for mining
In this application, the HDPE
geomembrane liner serves as a barrier
for separation and is also the most
important component in heap leach-
ing. The geomembrane must resist
chemical attack, point loads from typi-
cally high heap loading conditions,
site-specific topography, site-specific
climate conditions, and site-specific
16 Constrofacilitator • September 2020

Geomembrane for pond liner
construction conditions. GCL is a cost-
effective alternative for a composite
liner system, especially if on-site
sources of clay are insufficient. GCL
comprises a bentonite (water absorb-
ing mineral) layer between two
nonwoven geotextile layers. A 10 mm
thick GCL will typically perform similarly
or better than a 30 cm CCL and even
demonstrate self-healing capabilities.
GCL also provides additional filtration
and barrier capabilities. The protection
layer is made with a nonwoven
geotextile and helps distribute loads
and provide reinforcement for the
underlying geomembrane. The protec-
tion layer also assists with filtration and
drainage, by preventing small particles
and gravel from reaching the
geomembrane.
Geomembrane for secondary con-
tainment
From small tanks to entire tank farms,
the secondary containment area is a
critical component of tank lining pro-
tection. Geomembranes have been
proven to perform in hundreds of sec-
ondary containment applications. For
exposed applications. Conductive
geomembrane can be used to detect
post-installation damage and as part of
a periodic maintenance program.
Geomembranes are used extensively
in secondary containment applica-
tions, such as for spill protection with
Constrofacilitator • September 2020 17
GEOMEMBRANE FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATION
chemical storage tanks.
Geomembranes are made by combin-
ing one or more thermoplastic poly-
mers with additives, like plasticizers,
carbon black, processing aids, anti-
oxidants. A wide range of thermoplas-
tics resins are used for
geomembranes, including high den-
sity polyethylene (HDPE), very low den-
sity polyethylene geomembrane
(VLDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly-
propylene (PP).
When selecting the type of secondary
containment to use, one must consider
the geomembrane's compatibility with
the type of substance or waste to be
contained, its durability, and its resis-
tance to fire, heat and sunlight. There-
fore, mechanical properties (such as
tensile behaviour and tear resistance)
and durability properties (e.g., heat
resistance) are properties of the
geomembranes that should be exam-
ined to determine the most appropriate
material in relation to the final use. The
tensile properties refer to the tensile
strength of a geomembrane and the
ability of the material to elongate under
stress. These properties must be suffi-
cient to satisfy the stresses (for exam-
ple self-weight) and the strains (for
example, not exceeding the yield strain
for HDPE) anticipated during its service
life.
Geomembrane for canal liners
Geomembranes are commonly used
to control seepage from water canals.
There are many types of
geomembranes available for this appli-
cation including PVC, HDPE, LDPE,
CSPE, and EPDM geomembranes. Fre-
quently these geomembranes require
protection and there are several pro-
tection options including compacted
soil, concrete, or shotcrete. The U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has
conducted a number of test programs
on canal-lining systems including the
Deschutes Canal-Lining Demonstra-
tion Project which involves the perfor-
mance of 34 canal test-sections, many
Geomembrane for mining
 GEOMEMBRANE FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATION

of which utilize geomembranes. Based

on USBR and other test programs this
paper examines the effectiveness of dif-
ferent types of geomembrane-based
canal lining systems in terms of cost,
seepage/leakage reduction, and long
term durability.

Geomembranes for oil & gas contain-

ment
Geomembrane for canal liners
HDPE textured geomembrane is
designed and fabricated with either a
single-sided or double-sided textured
surface which is made by automatic
production liner and optimized engi-
neered processes. BPM HDPE tex-
tured geomembrane is made of finest
quality imported high density polyethyl-
ene (HDPE) raw materials professional
production process and technology.
BPM textured geomembrane liner prod-
ucts are packed in double woven
geotextile and strength belts. HDPE tex-
tured geomembrane liner has the
rough surface on one or both sides
Geomembranes for oil & gas containment
which can highly improve the friction
coefficient which fits more suitable for
steep slope and vertical engineering
design work which maximize the effec-
tive volume of geomembrane to
increased frictional resistance and geomembrane exhibits superior shear standing elongation and highest inter-
other chemical and physical properties strength and the highest multi-axial per- face surface friction coefficient.
as smooth HDPE geomembrane. formance which features superior high
High-density polyethylene textured shear strength, big friction angles, out- Conclusion

Geomembranes are being used in envi-

ronmental, hydraulic, transportation,
and oil and gas applications as well as
the waste industry. The most common
type are the continuous polymeric
sheets. When larger geomembranes
are needed, they are thermally or chem-
ically melted together at the seams for
strength and durability.

Image Source:

G e o m e m b r a n e . c o m ,
Geomembrane for secondary containment
Agruamerica.com, assets-global,
Bpmgeosynthetics, researchgate.net,
o k o r d e r. c o m , w a s t e 3 6 0 . c o m ,
industrialplastics.com.au,
sigmageosynthetics.com,
geosynthetica.com

18 Constrofacilitator • September 2020

 What is the huss about Mag-Lounge

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and Consultants

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