The extensive application and effectiveness of HDPE geotextile membranes in flood control and emergency rescue projects have drawn significant attention from engineering technicians. In terms of the application technology of geosynthetic materials, the state has proposed standardized technical requirements for aspects such as seepage prevention, reverse filtration, drainage, reinforcement, and protection, greatly accelerating the promotion and application of new materials. This material has been widely used in seepage prevention projects of irrigation channel, combining with construction practices, this article briefly discusses the application technology of geotextile in engineering maintenance.
Geotextile Performance: Geotextiles are a new type of building material made from synthetic fibers of high molecular polymers such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon. According to the manufacturing method, they are divided into two types: woven maintenance geotextiles and non-woven geotextiles. Woven geotextiles are those with interwoven warp and weft threads. They are relatively thin, with general thicknesses of 0.2mm, 0.4mm, and 0.7mm. Their tensile strength is quite strong, approximately 250kg/cm², with a large permeability coefficient of about 6.1x10^-4 cm/s, and they have stable quality and good durability. Non-woven geotextiles are net-like substances made by bonding and needle-punching fibers that are irregularly arranged. The commonly used type is the needle-punched non-woven maintenance geotextile. This kind of geotextile has stronger compressibility, larger porosity, and better water-conducting performance than woven geotextiles.
Geotextiles possess multiple functions such as seepage prevention, reverse filtration, drainage, isolation, reinforcement, protection, and sealing. Compared with conventional stone masonry and concrete materials for seepage prevention, geotextiles offer advantages such as lower investment, simpler construction techniques, shorter construction periods, good seepage prevention effects, and higher effective utilization coefficients of channels. For example, during the construction of the Wei River embankment in Xianyang City, two sections of the river embankment were respectively constructed using geotextiles and traditional methods. After comparing the two construction plans, it was found that constructing a 500m river embankment using geotextiles cost 205,500 yuan and required 15,600 labor days. On the other hand, constructing the same length of river embankment using the traditional plan would cost 273,700 yuan and require 18,400 labor days. Comparing the two plans, the use of new geotextile materials reduced investment and labor by 25% and 15%, respectively. The successful use of this new material in the water-saving renovation of the Dongsi branch canal and the 72km emergency repair project of the Beigan Canal in the Baojixia Irrigation District not only achieved obvious seepage prevention effects but also reduced investment and shortened the construction period, achieving multiple benefits.
During construction, care should be taken to avoid direct impact of stones on the composite geomembrane. It is best to carry out the construction of the protective layer while laying the membrane. The connection between the composite geomembrane and surrounding structures should adopt expansion bolts and steel plates for anchoring. The connecting parts should be coated with emulsified asphalt (thickness 2mm) for adhesion to prevent leakage at this location. The joint treatment of the geomembrane is a critical process that directly affects the seepage prevention effect. Related thematic articles include: How to judge the seepage prevention quality of composite geomembranes, resistance to foundation settlement deformation, maintenance geotextiles, composite geomembranes, seepage prevention geomembranes, seepage prevention composite geomembranes, HDPE geomembranes, bentonite waterproof blankets, waterproof boards, tunnel waterproof boards, and engineering geotextiles.