Earth-retaining structures such as tunnels, or retaining walls, must always be suitably waterproofed so as to avoid any infiltration of water from the adjacent soil. To guarantee the integrity of the waterproof barrier over time, the geomembrane must be protected mechanically, and proper drainage provided.
Protection of waterproof barrier
The geomembrane can be protected against the risk of tearing or puncture by using non-woven geotextiles of suitable weight and density, such as GEODREN, which create a shield against the compressive action of hard or jagged solids that may be present in the soil.
Drainage
It is important that water be intercepted and drained away from retaining structures, in order to minimize hydrostatic pressures in the soil. Drainage is accomplished traditionally by placing a layer of gravel; this function, however, can be replicated by installing a drainage geocomposite, suitably sized, of the SINTEXDRAIN or NEWDRAIN range, which will be selected according to the magnitude of the applied load and the envisaged water flow. Deploying a geosynthetic in place of the usual aggregate makes for quicker and simpler installation, and advantageously reduces the usage of natural materials.
