Geotextile is a very demanded and popular material that is actively used both in light industry and in construction. Most often it is used in the process of building houses, when groundwater is at a high level, resulting in the need for a drainage system.
In this case, it is very important to choose the right type of fabric, because the functionality of the system and the service life of the foundation and the building itself directly depend on this. Therefore, today we will consider what kind of geotextile for drainage is, how to choose, what density this material can have and what are its main characteristics.
What is geofabric
Geofabric is a non-woven fabric obtained by needling or thermal bonding.
In the first variant, a fabric with low hygroscopic parameters is obtained, so the material silts up very quickly, which is absolutely unacceptable in some cases.
Thermal fabrics are very thin yetstrong enough and durable.
The main purpose of the geofabric is to extend the life of systems installed to drain groundwater from the foundation. However, due to its unique properties, this product has become almost universal and has gained great popularity in many areas of life.
Geofabric Benefits
Compared to other materials, geofabric has a number of advantages. Namely:
1. Absolutely does not absorb moisture. Passes liquid through itself, sifting out small particles and various impurities.
2. It is characterized by a high degree of vapor permeability, allowing natural air exchange in the drainage system.
3. Durable. Will not delaminate, roll or rot.
4. Resistant to high temperatures and fire. This quality not only increases the degree of fire safety, but also prevents soil and air pollution by harmful substances that all synthetic materials emit during combustion.
5. Not subject to colonization by bacteria and decay.
6. It does not cause difficulties during delivery and installation. Compact rolls provide comfortable transportation and convenient storage of purchased material. Laying the canvas is very simple and does not require the participation of qualified specialists.
7. Ensures the overall integrity of structures and systems, increases their bearing capacity.
8. Has a long service life. Does not require replacement even after extended use.
Sphereapplications
Geofabric for drainage is actively used during the laying and repair of the roadway, for strengthening slopes and laying underground pipelines.
The material has also become widely used in private construction. In the process of laying access roads, it is used as a reinforcing layer, which is laid under the gravel.
Also, geotextiles for drainage, the characteristics of which are discussed in this article, are quite often used in landscape design. For example, in the process of arranging artificial ponds, it is laid on the ground in order to protect the structure of the reservoir from damage by tree roots. Often, slopes located near water are strengthened with this material in order to protect them from destruction and falling asleep with soil.
Basic functions of geotextile
Due to its unique qualities, geofabric for drainage (the price of which depends on the characteristics of the material) is actively used in the repair and construction industry, where it can act as:
• separating element (separates different layers of soil and crushed stone in the trench);
• fasteners (distributes the load over a large area);
• filter (prevents crushed stone and gravel from mixing with the soil);
• protection (does not allow the ground to sag);
• drainage (traps solid particles in the water, preventing them from entering the drain pipes).
Types of drainage fabric
Geotextiles are divided into several types according to the manufacturing method:
• Polypropylene andpolyester fabrics. This type is considered the highest quality and durable. Separately, it should be mentioned that polypropylene fibers can be used in any conditions, and polyester fabric does not accept contact with large amounts of water, as it slowly passes moisture through itself.
• Monofilament products. This type of geofabric is in no way inferior in quality to the previous version and is considered the most suitable for arranging drainage systems.
• Cloths from textile waste. This product is made from cotton and wool fibers. Since the main components of the fabric are highly susceptible to decay, the scope of this type is very limited. For the installation of a drainage system, this variety is not used at all.
Main characteristics of geotextile
The main advantages of geofabric for drainage include:
• hygroscopicity;
• strength;
• smoothness.
The most important criterion by which drainage geofabric is chosen is density. This parameter indicates the main properties of the product.
Density is determined based on the weight of the material. So, the greater the weight of one square meter of fabric, the higher its density. However, this does not mean that the heaviest options should be preferred when choosing a material, since the greater the density of the fabric, the lower its filtration capacity.
The high strength of the blade allows it to withstand loads up to250 kg. In this case, it should be taken into account that the greater the mechanical strength of the material, the lower its culvert capacity.
Special attention should be paid to the coefficient of water filtration. It indicates how much liquid the canvas can filter in 24 hours. This indicator is also directly related to the density of the fabric.
How to choose the right geotextile density
Now let's figure out what you need to know when buying geotextiles for drainage. How to choose the right material is the first question that worries people who are going to equip the drainage system.
To this end, it is necessary to choose products with certain characteristics.
The canvas must be sufficiently elastic, rigid, porous and, of course, guarantee the protection of the drainage system in case of shrinkage of the soil. Only such a product can provide complete moisture filtration.
When choosing a geofabric for drainage, preference should be given to options whose density varies between 200-300 grams per 1 cubic meter.
If you are equipping the usual drainage of ground fluid from the site, you can get by with a fabric whose density is 100 grams per cubic meter. The same density is used in landscaping.
For paving and other types of work, geotextiles with a density of at least 800 grams per cubic meter should be chosen.
For the installation of a drainage type system, geotextiles made of monofilaments are used. Also for these purposes, you can use materials obtained as a result of heat treatment.
Geocomposite fibers are used in areas of marsh origin. The density of such a product should be 150-200 grams per cubic meter.
Needle-punched materials become clogged with sandstone very quickly, so they are practically not used for arranging drainage systems.
You should also pay attention to the width of the geo-web, since the size of the future coverage depends on this indicator. Today geofabric for drainage is available in widths from two to five meters.
Cost
Probably, many are concerned about the question: "How much does a geofabric for drainage cost?" The price per m2 depends on the density of the material and how it is produced.
Thus, needle-punched geofabric will cost the buyer from 25 to 70 rubles per square meter. The cost of canvases intended for pouring the foundation depends on the density of the material - the higher it is, the more expensive the product.
The price per square meter of a woven product is kept within 30 rubles.
Drainage pipes with geotextile will cost about 3,500 rubles for a 50-meter package.
When choosing the right material, you should give preference to products that are made by well-known manufacturers. After all, only high-quality geotextiles can prevent erosion and heaving.soil, strengthen the foundation and make the drainage system perfect. Therefore, you should not save on this material, especially since its acquisition will not lead to high costs.
