Geotextile is a very popular 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, as a result of which there is a need to equip the drainage system.
In this case, it is very important to choose the right kind 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 happens geotextiles for drainage, 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 needle-punched or thermally bonded methods.
In the first embodiment, a fabric with low hygroscopic indicators is obtained, so the material is silted very quickly, which is absolutely unacceptable in some cases.
Canvases made by the thermal method are very thin, while they are quite strong and durable.
The main purpose of geotissue is to extend the life of systems installed for the removal of 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.
Benefits of using geofabric
Compared to other materials, geofabric has several 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, providing natural air exchange in the drainage system.
3. Durable. It does not stratify, does not roll and does not rot.
4. Resistant to high temperatures and fire. This quality not only increases the degree of fire safety, but also prevents the pollution of soil and air with harmful substances that emit all synthetic materials during combustion.
5. Not susceptible to colonization by bacteria and rot.
6. 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. Provides the overall integrity of structures and systems, increases their bearing capacity.
8. Has a long service life. It does not require replacement even after prolonged use.
Scope of application
Geofabric for drainage is actively used during the laying and repair of the roadway, to strengthen the slopes and laying underground pipelines.
The material has gained widespread use 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 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 to protect them from destruction and falling asleep with soil.
The main functions of geo-fabric
Due to its unique qualities, geo-fabric for drainage (the price of which depends on the characteristics of the material) is actively used in the repair and construction sector, where it can act as:
• dividing element (separates different layers of soil and gravel in a trench);
• fasteners (distributes the load over a large area);
• filter (prevents mixing of crushed stone and gravel with soil);
• protection (does not allow the soil to sag);
• drainage (retains solid particles in the water, preventing their penetration into drainage pipes).
Types of drainage tissue
According to the manufacturing method, geotextiles are divided into several types:
• Polypropylene and polyester webs . This type is considered the highest quality and durable. Separately, it should be mentioned that polypropylene fibers can be used in any conditions, and the polyester fabric does not accept contacts with large amounts of water, as it passes moisture through it rather slowly.
• Products from monofilaments . This kind of geotissue is not inferior in quality to the previous version and is considered the most suitable for arranging drainage systems.
• Cloths from textile waste . These products are made from cotton and wool fibers. Since the main constituent tissues are much prone to decay, the scope of this species is very limited. For the installation of a drainage system, this variety is not used at all.
The main characteristics of geo-fabric
The main advantages that geo-fabric has for drainage include:
• hygroscopicity;
• strength;
• smoothness.
The most important criterion by which a drainage geo-fabric 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 more the weight of one square meter of fabric, the higher its density. However, this does not mean that the choice of material should give preference to the most difficult options, since the higher the density of the fabric, the lower its filtration ability.
The high strength of the blade allows it to withstand a load of up to 250 kg. It should be borne in mind that the greater the mechanical strength of the material, the less its throughput.
Particular attention should be paid to the coefficient of water filtration. It indicates how much fluid is able to filter the canvas within 24 hours. This indicator is also directly related to tissue density.
How to choose a suitable 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.
For this purpose, it is necessary to choose products that have certain characteristics.
The canvas should be sufficiently flexible, rigid, porous and, of course, guarantee the protection of the drainage system in case of soil shrinkage. Only such a product is capable of fully filtering moisture.
When choosing a geo-fabric for drainage, preference should be given to options whose density varies between 200-300 grams per 1 meter cubic.
If you equip the usual drainage of ground fluid from the site, you can get by with a fabric whose density is 100 grams per meter cubic. The same density is used in landscape design.
For paving and other types of work, you should choose geotextiles with a density of at least 800 grams per cubic meter.
For the installation of a drainage type system , geotextiles made of monofilament are used. Also for these purposes, you can use materials obtained as a result of heat treatment.
In areas of marsh origin, geocomposite fibers are used. The density of such a product should be 150-200 grams per cubic meter.
Needle-punched materials are very quickly clogged with sandstone, so they are practically not used to equip drainage systems.
You should also pay attention to the width of the geo-band, since the size of future coverage depends on this indicator. Today geo-fabric for drainage is available in widths of two to five meters.
Cost
Probably, many are worried about the question: "How much does geotissue cost for drainage?" The price per m2 depends on the density of the material and the method of its production.
So, needle-punched geotextile will cost the buyer from 25 to 70 rubles per square meter. The cost of paintings 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 woven product is kept within 30 rubles.
Drainage pipes with geo-fabric will cost about 3,500 rubles for a 50-meter package.
Choosing the right material, you should give preference to products that are made by well-known manufacturers. Indeed, only high-quality geotextiles can prevent erosion and swelling of the 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 large costs.