Drainage and vibration damping with multifunctional geocomposite

More and more environmental managers are struggling with water management. In many civil and construction projects, obtaining proper water management is a challenge. In addition, it is a well-known fact that in the densely populated Netherlands we increasingly have to deal with nuisance from noise vibrations caused by traffic or construction work. Freudenberg Performance Materials' multifunctional EnkaDrain geocomposites combine drainage and vibration damping in a single product, if required.

EnkaDrain is a highly versatile drainage mat. The geocomposite has been used successfully for more than 40 years as a drainage solution in the world of landfills, as well as at bridge abutments, tunnel structures, ecoducts, parking garages and other underground walls, where it protects concrete structures from the influence and pressure of water. "EnkaDrain collects and drains water and keeps exterior walls dry," clarifies Kennard van Malenstein of Freudenberg Performance Materials. "Unlike alternative solutions, when EnkaDrain is installed you don't have to move and drain a large amount of soil. In that sense, it is also a much more environmentally friendly application. Moreover, it ensures a better flow of underground water flows and prevents related hydraulic disturbances."

Multipurpose

The geocomposite basically consists of a drainage core to which a nonwoven fleece is attached on one or both sides. "That in itself already gives multifunctionality to all EnkaDrain product types, because in addition to drainage, they simultaneously include the functions of filtration and protection," says Van Malenstein. EnkaDrain is used on all possible drainage applications: horizontal, vertical or under slope. "Depending on the application and the specific requirements for e.g. water drainage capacity or expected pressure load, we recommend the right EnkaDrain variant. Variants are distinguished by thickness, shape and type of polymer of the drainage core, and by the different types of membranes we can connect to the core."

Vibration damping

In addition to drainage, the EnkaDrain product family lends itself perfectly to the damping of underground vibrations. An application that civil and construction engineers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have been using for more than 15 years. Michael Hering, application specialist at the German branch of Freudenberg Performance Materials can attest to this like no other. "The EnkaDrain ST in its application as a 'vibration isolation mat' is very common in our region," says Hering. "Here we use a highly stable polyamide in the core structure. EnkaDrain ST decouples different structures from each other, permanently eliminating the transmission of vibrations. Micro-cracking in concrete or stone structures due to vibrations is then no longer an issue. It therefore also extends the service life of the structure, and that in an extremely cost-efficient manner." An application that, incidentally, is also interesting for train, streetcar or subway infrastructure to decouple vibrations.  

Lost formwork

EnkaDrain is thus suitable for a very wide range of applications, such as the EnkaDrain CK20 for use as lost formwork. EnkaDrain CK20 has a special concrete-proof PVC foil so that it can be used safely in contact with fresh in-situ concrete. At the Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen, for example, more than 12,000 m² to EnkaDrain CK20 installed. "Many applications may be relatively new by Dutch standards, but they have already amply proven themselves elsewhere," Van Malenstein emphasizes. EnkaDrain is part of the Enka Solutions portfolio that brings together a range of products and solutions that help civil and construction engineers not only manage drainage and vibration, but also accelerated soil consolidation of slack building soils, erosion protection of wet and dry slopes, and soil stabilization in foundations and steep soil structures. "We offer technical support to clients or engineering firms as required to arrive together at the right solution with the best suited product for each situation."