LLL LL LT a A CHAPTER 12 Remaining questions and closing remarks durability, execution and damage, and quality control 12.1 DURABILITY When geosynthetic materials .or products are applied in civil enginee ~g, they are intended to perform particular functions (see Chapter 3) for a minimum e..pected time. called the design life. Therefore, the most common (and reasonable) question whee applying geosynthetics is ‘what is the expected/quaranteed lifespan of these materials aad products?”. There is no a answer to this question. Actually, it is still a mamer of “to believe or not to believe’. Both the experimental theory and practice this question yet. = Experience with geomeaaiies evaluation of the proeaaype 70s. The performance of woven geotextiles Sexes 15 years, was still <=sacmnes the recent evaluation of Sie coastal and bank-protecsiem: Road and Hydraulic Ens the polypropylene and revetments on the Dutch sex <== ‘unbelievers’ mone a be: 50 years. For "belies applications ‘These intriguing qo studies and the development tional agencies related & The recent guide (Esropeam the actual ‘normalized i durability assessment & (generally defined in toms of expected design life cam be as This CEN-report is ant European normalization 2 c=sseenal parties. There are a number of additional test methods in specialistic sestine Taboratories/institutes related to the durability which are often better than those recom- mended in European Standards, but too sophisticated to be recommended for standard testing procedure. However, in particular cases, these additional methods can be applied for more confidence of the designer or client. ‘The standard test procedure recommended by CEN should always be followed by designers in order for them to be safe from a legal point of view. However, it does not provide the absolute physical quarantee for the design life of geosynthetics (it is only a procedural quality assessment based on the actual knowledge). That also means that in cases of projects where the possible disfunctioning of the geosynthetics incorporated in the structures may have disastrous consequences, some alternative designs should be made. On the other side, designers or clients often formulate unnecessary high require- ments for geosynthetics because of misconceptions with regard to the functioning of geosynthetics in various constructional and service stages of the project. For example, a high tensile strength is necessary when a geotextile functions as a bearing element for a block mat or when the stone is dumped on it from an uncontrolled height, but relatively low strength is needed in the case of placed blocks; for standard riprap bank protections, the geometrically-closed filter rules are often unnecessarily strict because a limited washing out of fines can often be allowed without negative consequences. The geometti cally-closed rules for geotextiles on clay can practially not be fulfilled or will not function in the longterm because of clogging, whereas, as it has been proved, due to the protective function of geotextiles, high hydraulic gradients are allowed and thus a more open structure of the geotextile. In most civil engineering applications simple design rules are sufficient for a proper choice of geosynthetics. However, designers should be aware of situations where a more sophisticated approach is necessary, and be able to explain to the Client that the difference in approach depends on the situation (type of application, loading conditions, and design life). 12.2 EXECUTION AND DAMAGE Successful use of geosynthetics in civil engineering often depends om the initia! placement of the fabric. Practical experience with geosyathesics an sarioes projects has provided a umber of mamafactarer's guides or exaeral (fies maticaal) exidelines for installation and maintenaace. Bioweser. aot cach Gemect & the same. emer site conditions may dictate ‘The Garstang ami ie Gumcsomine of seosymtetics can be affected by damage cccemrins Gains Secaties Geosymthetics may be damaged before, during and after execatiom, Miss Gamape occurs during execution. Damage and deterioration can be distin- ‘guished im (See also Chapters 3 and 4): ~ mechanical damage; ~ physical damage by the environment; ~ghemical damage by the environment; ~ biological damage by the environment. ‘The possible seasitivity to 2 particular type of damage depends on the type of geosynthet- ic or product. pe of application, and environmental conditions. Some of these items Telated to the specific products and applications were already discussed in the preceeding chapters. More detailed information on specific products can be found in guides provided by manufacturers, while more generally valid information can be found in a number of 896sidered in the selection of the aed the application method are tention mmmst Be pant ae Scosynthetics are spread. Danger of pam brane or when stones are damped aia deformation lead to the formation ef 897pes performed by the producer and controlled by an imdependcat cepamiatem ‘Scomufying agencies). Important elements for quality assurance are ~ clearly defined requirements; - competent personnel; ~ clearly defined responsibilities of the people involved; ~ an adequate information flow (reliable, well defined, quick), The initiative for certifying has to be taken by the producer of the geosynthetic. It is to be expected that in the near future more certificates will be requested. The same system of quality assurance should be valid for the application of geosynthetics in civil engineerine works by contractors, Also, the professional skills of the people involved and the relia- bility of the execution processes should be quaranteed. 12.3.2 Quality assessment In most cases the presentation of the certificate of the certified products will be sufficient. In particular cases and for non-certified products it is necessary to verify whether the geosynthetics meet the requirements. The buyer has to describe in the specifications or in the terms of reference where, how and how many samples have to be taken. He has to specify which test procedures have to be followed. A number of test procedures have already been laid down in standards and guidelines, others are in preparation. ‘The most important Dutch and (Inter) International Standards: National Standards in relation to geo- 1SO 2060: linear density of yarns synthetics are: 1SO 3032, 3933, 1976: measurements of NEN 5168: soil tightness width and length NEN 5167: hydraulic resistance ISO 5084: measurement of thiciencss NEN 5132: resistant against thermic ISO 3801: measarement of mass oxidation TSO 2062: easiest Sor amas ISO SOS: sarap aemsitie ast German Standards: ISO SSD: ga meas weer DIN 53857: strip tensile ses SO Sst tox == DIN 5385S: measurement of thicikmess SO 457% eee aries, UV -radi- DIN 53834: easement of mee a DIN S383: semsite sear Sar aes ‘American Standards (ASTM), DIN S366 geath semi ast D 1777-64: measurement of thickness DIN 53860: ame D 1910-64: measurements of mass DIN $4307: CSR gimme ext (pence) D 3776-84: measurements of mass DIN 53336: Heer D885 - beraking toughness DIN 53859: sommes see D 2236 = wasiie test for yarns DIN 53383: re aes Wad DM? - arp ease test DIN 53377: imeem sais DIO -axpes DIN 53363: sesiscamc se sari DSS - bers test DIN 16726: perforation see : DNS; abrasion test 1D 2251/2262: tear test D117: burst test 898= = = ATT AAMAAAAANY Apart from the above-mentioned stamdamte ee se Standards: BS, AFNOR and CEN. For impermeable membranes speci particular test methods have been test. Besides these ‘strength’ tests there attack and leaching. 12.3.3 Practical or performance tests In some cases it is desirable to perform practical tests when: ~ great risks may arise as to the safeey of not successful in the construction: - the project is of suck 2 sme tion of the geosymthetic a: ~ special requirements ame + a reliable general callcatiaom of the geosynthetic t be appt Practical tests may have vanoes Som always to be imitated as much 25 possi: a diem) realized by building a test track om the Section af Sie model experiment in a laboratory at 2 sake of Li n= k= =< to be paid to the imitation of the subsoil. 12.3.4 Terms of reference/building specifications In the building specifications the geosynthetic to be applied has to be described im saci way that the quality of the geosynthetic is assured, including transport, storage and appl cation method (Van Santyoort, 1995). Most of the specifications are intended for the formulation of functional demands, criteria and test procedures after a construction bas been realized. But the quality assurance during execution also has to be described. Theme is a growing tendency in building specifications to lay down function demands and less execution directions. In this case the contractor can use his experience and appiy aie newest technical developments, but the liability has to be settled accordingly. Ee same 1993). Also, some international organizations as ICOLD and PIANC technical documents related on this subject (ICOLD, 1996, 1991, PIANC Furthermore, the client might formulate additional conditions execution. :{2.4 CLOSING REMARKS Geosynthetics and geosystems constitute potential alternatives for more conventional materials and systems (Raymond and Giroud, 1993). They deserve to be =pplind om = larger scale. However, doubts among specifying authorities and design engincers ateme the quality of the design criteria for some of the products, and the long-term perfeem ance, are still limiting factors in the increased use. It is hoped that the results of sae literature search will help to overcome some ofthese doubts and will be used as 2 basse for learning and promoting in the application of geosynthetics and geosystems. The author hopes this book will be of value to both practicing engineers and mew generations of scientists. As to the former, he has in mind especially engineers in the field of hydraulic and coastal engineering, including those concerned with planning. design, and construction It is hoped that this book will be an inspiration for creating engineering alternatives utilizing the geosystems. However, a number of concepts discussed in this book still need further elaboration to achieve the level of design quality comparable with more conves- tional solutions and systems. Therefore, this book is also written for new generations of students and scientists ‘A number of uncertainties in the design of geosystems can be solved in the scope of graduation work of students and doctoral dissertations. However, for a number of systems more practical experience is also still needed under various hydraulic conditions, for the verification of theoretical concepts. The realization of this need is only possible if manufacturers and clients cooperate closely. Usually, support from the governmental agencies related to research and development will be necessary. Problems regarding subsidies could readily be overcome if some research funds are diverted from traditional concepts that do not meet design requirements (but are artificially forced to do that) The geosynthetic durability and the long-term behaviour of geosystems belong to the category of overall uncertainties and create a serious obstacle in the watier application of geosynthetics and geosystems and, therefore, are still mamers of come Lomg-aerm durability, strength and functioning is more important soday with seman ap stronger and more ingenious geosynthetics and geosysiems that ofr slime ap geomchnical and hydraniic problems sach 2s sod subiiaton and scmieemest commaimmest of (dredged) meas, seer defor ant oes - (of the long-term performance of geosynthetics and development a he Seid of prosyathetcs and geosystems, and Smee Sets sew evciopmenss (products and design fe mam oe pectic books. Therefore, it is recom- Geet oe i sadect (Journal of Geotextiles and ‘Geeechnical Fabric Report, and Proceedings eae eae ‘Kmowledge and/or exchanging new ideas. The "Profession! Hisip and Usefel Addresses” can be used as a first entry when searching for new information. 900AT REFERENCES BAW, 1993, Code of Pract ke ways Engineering cnt Reams ruhe, Germany CEN, 1998, Guide to dacstsiing Normalization Commsmne DVWK, 1993, Guidetines Ser engineering, imet fp te Gom Improvement DV®ED = and Drainage @CIDR Stem mae FCGG, 1987, Geomeaiite Samat the Instinat Teeaaiiede ICOLD, 1986, GS 5 Comms ICOLD. 1998_ (0 ese re ue 2 FR Oe a ee Re oe a PIANC, 1992, Guidelines for the Gesar= amd comma af See eet See ating geotextiles in marine environn Brussels, Belgium. Reymond. G.P and Giroud, J.P., eds. 1993, ‘years of experience, International Society for Engineering, Bitech Publishers Ltd., Richmond, Canada Vaz Sentvoort, G., (ed.), 1994, Geotextiles and Geomembranes in Crd Enermeme publication of the Dutch Geotextile Organization (NGO), A.A. Balkems Pts Romerdam, the Netherlands Vas Sussvoort, G., (ed.), 1995, Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering, publication of ome ‘Center for Civil Engineering Research and Codes (CUR) and the Dutch Geocexie Steanication (NGO). Report 151, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, the Netherlands