Geotextiles
TERRAM® is a market leader in the design and manufacture of innovative geosynthetics, providing a unique range of value-engineered solutions that also help minimise the environmental impact of construction.
The growing need for Geosynthetics
Within the construction and landscaping sectors the use of geosynthetics has become fundamental in solving an increasing diverse range of global geotechnical and environmental protection problems.
Typical traditional applications for geosynthetics include:
- Soil Reinforcement
- Ground Stabilisation
- Filtration
- Drainage
- Protection
- Erosion Control
The ongoing impact of climate change and the requirement to deliver sustainable development, is increasingly creating the need for more diverse and innovative applications.
These applications include:
- Green roofs
- Pervious paving systems
- Geocellular tanks
- Basement construction
- Geocellular confinement
- Tree protection systems
Through the ongoing commitment to achieve sustainability within the built environment, geosynthetics are being incorporated into major infrastructure projects such as renewable energy schemes, on-shore wind farms and alternative forms of transport such as light rail networks.
System Specification
The importance of the correct specification and installation of geosynthetics cannot be overstated and can potentially be critical to the overall success of a project.
It is beneficial therefore that the appropriate system selection criteria are considered at the early stages of the project design, as some applications require a combination of several functions.
The TERRAM® system selector can be used as a starting point in the selection process. TERRAM® manufacture a number of systems to meet the demands of modern construction including:
- Geotextiles
- Geocomposites
- Geocell
| FUNCTION | TERRAM SYSTEM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geotextiles | Geocomposites | Geocells | |
| Soil reinforcemen | • | º | • |
| Ground Stabilisation | • | º | • |
| Filtration | • | • | º |
| Drainage | • | • | º |
| Protection | • | º | • |
| Erosion Control | • | º | • |
• Primary function º Secondary function
Types of TERRAM geotextiles
To cope with the wide ranging demands of construction there are different types including:
-
TERRAM Thermally Bonded Nonwoven
Manufactured in the UK from a fibre consisting of polypropylene core and polythylene sheath. These products are isotropic (having the same properties in all directions). -
TERRAM NP Needlepunched geotextiles
Also manufactured in teh UK from 100% polypropylene staple fibres.
Applications
TERRAM Thermally Bonded geotextiles are normally used in applications such as underneath roads and as wrapping around French drains.
TERRAM NP geotextiles are used in applications such as landfill/pond liner protection and in river/coast erosion control projects.
TERRAM Geocomposites are used in drainage applications on structures and in ground water draingage. They provide a cost effective viable alternative to ‘traditional’ drainage methods such as gravels and crushed ston.
Differences between TERRAM nonwoven and other woven geotextiles
Weight for weight, nonwoven geotextiles are generally weaker in straight forward tensile testing than woven, have higher permeability (water flow), have higher extension (better workload) and have finer pore size (preventing the movement of fine particles when used as a separator), and their strength is
isotropic (the same in all directions).
Wovens have maximum tensile strength in only two directions (lenth and width). Lightweight wovens are known to ‘open up’ under local pressure thus reducing their capability as a separator.
Product detail
All TERRAM products are chemically inert and unaffected by naturally occurring acids, alkalis and rot inducing agencies.
