DuPont™ SF Geotextiles

STEP 1:
Remove all large debris which might puncture DuPont™ SF Geotextile.

STEP 2:
Unroll DuPont™  SF Geotextile. The width of DuPont™ SF Geotextile should be at least as great as that of the aggregate layer.

STEP 3:
If two or more widths are required, ensure sufficient overlap.

STEP 4:
If it is windy, use shovelfuls of coarse aggregate at regular intervals to hold DuPont™  SF Geotextiles in place.

STEP 5:
Backdump aggregate without driving on DuPont™ SF Geotextile.

STEP 6:
Level and compact aggregate before any heavy traffic occurs.

STEP 7:
Avoid aggregate size in excess of 1/3 of aggregate layer thickness.

STEP 8:
Fill up ruts, if any, as soon as they exceed 1/3 of aggregate thickness. Rutting will then be stopped.

STEP 9:
First aggregate layer must be at least 25cm thick.

Permanent Roads

The primary role of DuPont™ SF Geotextile in permanent road construction is to prevent ground separation. However, during the construction phase, the base courses are often used as a temporary road surface. In these cases, the geotextile also acts as a support membrane. Installation guidelines for DuPont™ SF Geotextile in permanent road construction is identical to that for temporary roads.

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WITH DUPONT

Trenches

STEP 1:
The base and side walls of the trench should be as free of irregularities as possible (holes, roots, etc.). Lay underlayment parallel to the trench and anchor the edges of the fabric.

STEP 2:
Do not drag the fabric in the mud. This will result in the deposit of a large amount of fine particles on the surface of DuPont™ SF Geotextile thus creating an impervious film

STEP 3:
Off-load the drainage aggregates and be careful to avoid dragging the fabric toward the bottom of the trench.

STEP 4:
Do not use over-large stones to fill up the trench. Gravel must be a maximum of 2 cm size in order to ensure optimal fabric-to-soil contact.

STEP 5:
Compact the aggregate and enclose it with material before backfilling to the top of the trench.

STEP 6:
Overlap lengths of DuPont™ SF Geotextile by at least 30 cm.

Blanket Drains

STEP 1:
Overlap min. 30 cm.

STEP 2:
Do not unroll too far in advance, especially in windy conditions.

STEP 3:
Use relatively small sized aggregate to ensure good fabric-to-soil contact.

Embankments on Compressible Soil

A geotextile will stretch considerably during consolidation and settlement and, by providing lateral support, will tend to increase embankment stability horizontal.

STEP 1:
Level your surface.

STEP 2:
Unroll perpendicular to the embankment axis to ensure full efficiency in the principal direction of force. Side-laps must equal at least 1m.

STEP 3:
If necessary, lengths of can be sewn together in order to obtain a continuous sheet parallel to the embankment axis.

STEP 4:
To increase rate of settlement, it may be beneficial to install a layer of sand or gravel to act as a drainage blanket. In this case will act as a filter membrane.

Vertical drains with DuPont

In some cases, vertical drains are required to accelerate embankment settlement on soft, saturated soils. To permit installation of vertical drains using heavy plant, it will be necessary to install a layer of coarse aggregate on DuPont™. The aggregate layer will then also act as a drainage blanket.

Since is sandwiched between the subsoil and the gravel layer, friction forces are usually sufficient to hold it in place during perforation by the vertical drain mandrel.

Required overlap

The side and end laps needed depend on soil properties (CBR), the project nature and on the deformations which might be expected to occur.

Overlaps normally used
• Drainage systems: 30 cm
• Parking lots, permanent roads: 30 to 50 cm
• Erosion control systems: 50 to 100 cm
• Temporary roads: see graph

Additional area required allowing for overlaps

The two following graphs show the amount of extra DuPont™ SF Geotextile needed, depending on the calculated surface area and the overlap width.
Estimates of the savings possible by sewing or welding instead of overlapping are clearly demonstrated.

For applications where DuPont™ SF Geotextile is used for reinforcement purposes, overlapping requires special attention. Calculations by experienced design engineers may be needed to check the correct transmission of stresses.

Erosion control systems with DuPont™ SF Geotextiles

STEP 1:
If possible, grade and compact slopes.

STEP 2:
If slope width is less than 8 m, unroll DuPont™ SF Geotextile along the length of the lower half of the slope first, then place geotextile on upper half of the slope with 0.5 to 1 m overlap.

STEP 3:
If slope is over 8m, place DuPont™ SF Geotextile in full-width lengths from slope top to bottom. Overlap in direction of waterflow.

STEP 4:
Excavate ditches for anchoring DuPont™ SF Geotextile at top and toe of slope. The toe is the foundation of the structure and should get special attention to prevent undermining.

STEP 5:
When placing rip-rap or gabions, start at toe and work up the slope to prevent sliding. Install rip-rap smoothly, without dropping it heavily onto the DuPont™ SF Geotextile.

STEP 6:
To ensure good fabric-to-soil contact, first of all place a layer of bedding material (gravel) on the DuPont™ SF Geotextile. This layer will also help prevent puncturing by heavy rip-rap.

STEP 7:
Anchor the fabric in the ditch at the top edge of the slope with soil and vegetation. This deep anchoring method will prevent large volumes of surface water from getting under the fabric and lifting the entire structure.

Hydraulic Applications

STEP 1:
With a density of just 0.91, polypropylene sheets of DuPont™ SF Geotextiles float naturally on water.

STEP 2:
For rapid and consistent installation, attach steel rods (e.g. typical 6 mm diameter rebar) every 5 meters. These rods will keep the fabric flat, thus allowing a regular overlap. (No need for divers. Smaller overlap = cost savings.)

Handling of Rolls

No Soak

Thick geotextiles soak up water. When it rains they are difficult to install because of their increased weight. At sub-zero temperatures they become impossible to use since they freeze solid. DuPont™ SF Geotextiles can be stored outside. It does not absorb water and therefore will not freeze.

Storage

DuPont™ SF Geotextile rolls take up less space than many other geotextiles, thus storage and transportation are efficient.

Cutting

DuPont™ SF Geotextile is thin and light, making the compact rolls easy to transport and install. Rolls can be easily cut to the desired width with a chain saw. This is almost impossible with most other geotextiles.