Geosynthetics in Canals

Geosynthetics in Canals
INTRODUCTION:

Traditionally there are two systems of canals construction :

Earthen Canals: Cheap to construct, but:

- 50 % lose or more of the water they transport due to seepage.
- Prone to erosion, vegetative growth which greatly reduce their effectiveness over time.

Concrete Canals: Solve the problems of erosion and vegetative growth, but:
- Costly to construct.
- Prone to cracking over time. - Still lose 30 % of water due to leakage.

Geosynthetics in Canals
GEOSYNTHETICS USED IN CANALS CONSTRUCTION

Geosynthetics Can Provide:

- Strength; Flexibility; Sealing; and Drainage.
Most common: Geomembrane (PVC/ HDPE), Geotextiles, Geocell, and Geocomposite for drain.

ENKADRAIN COMPOSITE WITH PVC FLEECE

NON-WOVEN GEOTEXTILE GEOMEMBRANE

GEOCELL
ENKADRAIN FINDRAIN

Geosynthetics in Canals
GEOSYNTHETICS USED IN CANALS CONSTRUCTION

Geosynthetics, either alone or in conjunction with a concrete facing, can

greatly increase the effectiveness of a canal lining system. The “Canal-Lining
Demonstration Project Year 10 Final Report”, published in November 2002
by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, indicates that:

o Seepage can be reduced from 50% or more for earthen canals to 10 %

for geomembrane lined canals.
o Seepage can be reduced less than 5 % for canals using geomembrane in
conjunction with a concrete cover. Not only are erosion and vegetative
intrusion mitigated, but leakage is greatly reduced as compared to a
concrete alone system

Geosynthetics in Canals
 SOME CANAL DESIGN PROPOSALS USING THE GEOSYNTHETICS

Edge Drain Using Findrain Composite :

Geosynthetics in Canals
 SOME CANAL DESIGN PROPOSALS USING THE GEOSYNTHETICS

Basal Drain System:

1. Concrete liner: impervious lining layer

2. Geotextile: (protection for geomembrane/reinforcement,
and can act as a grab layer comparing to membrane).

3. Geomembrane: impervious layer.

4. Geocomposite Drain: protection to membrane & drain

for any water could leak through the canal.

Geosynthetics in Canals
 SOME CANAL DESIGN PROPOSALS USING THE GEOSYNTHETICS

Basal Drain Using Geocell Facing Filled with concrete:

Geosynthetics in Canals
 SOME CANAL DESIGN PROPOSALS USING THE GEOSYNTHETICS

Basal Drain Using Geocell Facing Filled with Aggregate:

Geosynthetics in Canals
 Conclusions & Recommendations:

o The geosynthetics material Play very essential role in canals design, since it provides
imperviousness , flexibility , and sustainability .

o Involved the geosynthetics in canal projects will save the project time and cost throughout
increase the maintenance intervals, and decreasing the water lose up to 5%.

o The contractor must follow the design and installation guidelines to ensure the best
efficiency of the material while it is in service.

o Quality testing of the material should be carried out regularly to ensure the material
matching the project requirement.

Geosynthetics in Canals
 Thank you…..

Geosynthetics in Canals