In the construction of retention basins for the management of surface waters, or reservoirs for artificial snow-making on ski slopes, the bottom and side walls of the hollow are lined with waterproof geomembranes. To guarantee the long-term integrity of these installations, it is good practice to adopt technical solutions that will protect the geomembrane from direct contact with the soil, keep out infiltration and inflow water, and in certain particular circumstances, stabilize the side walls.
Protection against potential damage to the waterproof lining can be provided by installing non-woven geotextiles like GEODREN, available in different weights and designed to absorb the compressive action of hard soil particles.
To prevent the ingress of groundwater from the soil, on the other hand, and reduce hydrostatic pressure on the geomembrane, the layered composition of the lining can also incorporate a drainage geocomposite of the SINTEXDRAIN range, which provides an optimum alternative to the traditional use of gravel.
In situations where lack of available space or other design constraints may dictate the need for steeper banks or side walls, the requisite stability of the structure can be ensured by incorporating reinforcement grids such as EDILGRID into the lining.
