Award-winning non-woven fabric - quality control for geosynthetics
Non-woven fabrics are perhaps the most well-known geosynthetics, but there is a multitude of geotextiles, geotextile-related products and sealing membranes that also belong to this product group. Common types include woven fabrics, geogrids, drainage mats, drainage grids, clay liners and polymeric geomembranes. Geosynthetics are used in earthworks, civil engineering, highway construction, landfill sites, water engineering and other applications.
In order to provide users with comprehensive advice on dimensioning, product selection and contract drafting, the German Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV) published a leaflet on the use of geosynthetics in earthworks for highway construction, with checklists ("Merkblatt über die Anwendung von Geokunststoffen im Erdbau des Straßenbaues (M Geok E) mit Checklisten (C Geok E)"). This leaflet was first published in 1997 and revised in 2005. One of the most familiar aspects of the leaflet is the specification of geotextile robustness classes (GRK) 1 to 5.
In addition to instructions for use, comprehensive checklists are also included for the inspection of incoming goods and voluntary quality control with product testing.Checking that the product supplied complies with the order is of particular importance here.
The product description and product labels can be easily checked. The inspection of incoming goods, however, is significantly more complex. For example, when using a non-woven fabric as a filter in drainage systems, the checklists for the use of geosynthetics in earthworks for highway construction ("Checklisten für die Anwendung von Geokunststoffen im Erdbau des Straßenbaues (M Geok E)") state that one control sample must be taken per 30,000 m² of fabric. These samples should then be checked with regard to their weight per unit area, static puncture resistance, tensile strength and, if appropriate, their opening width, thickness and water permeability.
On many construction sites, however, such an in-depth inspection of incoming goods is not always possible.
What would be a sensible alternative to the inspection of incoming goods?
The leaflet provides the option of "voluntary quality control with product testing". This means: the contractor need not carry out an inspection of incoming goods, provided that the geosynthetics supplier can provide test certificates and verification of the independent quality control of his production.
In order to simplify and standardise this system, the German Geosynthetics Industry Association (Industrieverband Geokunststoffe (IVG)) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Research Institute (Bundesanstalt für Straßenbau (BASt)) introduced a quality seal for certified geosynthetics. This quality seal is a mark of quality that provides additional assurance and saves the user time and money, since no further samples need be taken on site.
As a member of the IVG and a full-service provider of geosynthetics, Nuremberg based BECO Bermüller supports the introduction of the quality seal. "With the quality seal, construction companies can be sure that they receive the specified product quality, even without an inspection of incoming goods. It can also be used to provide documentary verification for their clients," says Gerhard Dietrich, Head of Marketing at BECO Bermüller.
The quality seal also offers benefits for construction materials traders. By choosing a quality controlled supplier, materials traders can avoid product risks and improve their image by offering certified quality products. "We shall have our entire range of highway construction products certified with the quality seal. We also recommend that our customers switch to certified products to ensure that they encounter no competitive disadvantages," says Gerhard Dietrich.
Ab April 2010 werden die Geokunststoffe mit Gütesiegel auf der Webseite des IVG veröffentlicht. Damit wird das Gütesiegel für alle Marktteilnehmer offenkundig zu gesteigerter Qualität bei Geokunststoffen führen.
As of April 2010, the names of geosynthetic products that have gained the quality seal are published on the IVG website. The quality seal will thus clearly improve the quality of geosynthetics for all market participants.
Further information can be found on the IVG website at ivgeokunststoffe.com.
Text: Press release, BECO Bermüller & Co. GmbH