8/10/2019 UV-resistance of Geotextiles
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UV-resistance of Geotextiles
In general, geosynthetics are covered with soil material
immediately upon installation. Due to construction or
operational constrains, geosynthetics could be exposed to
sunlight (UV-radiation) for several weeks, maybe even
years. Therefore these must be very resistant to UV-radia-
tion (e.g. a geomembrane protection layer in a landfill,
when the waste filling process is slower than anticipa-
ted).
The German FGSV guidelines [1] classify the UV-re-
sistance, tested in the Global UV apparatus [2], and
define a maximum permissible exposure period (Tab. 1).
To compare laboratory and field data Trubiroha et al.
[3] carried out Global UV lab-tests and natural weathering
tests. Some results, together with data from von
Maubeuge [4], are shown in figure 1.
Conclusions from results in Fig. 1:
Depotex, a needlepunched black high density
polyethylene (HDPE) staple fibre nonwoven showed
the highest UV-resistance (> 95 %).
All other geotextiles tested, even those UV-stabilised,
had significantly lower UV-resistance (2-80 %).
Natural weathering on slopes decreases the UV-
resistance.
Even black and stabilised polypropylene (PP) wovens
had some degradation (UV-resistance 56-60 %).
Summary
The artificial and natural weathering tests clearly show
that needlepunched black HDPE staple fibre nonwoven
(Depotex) achieves the best UV-resistance. Polyester
(PET) geotextiles, as well as stabilised black PP geotex-
tiles, do not effectively resist UV-degradation for the long
term. If UV-resistance is an important issue (e.g. as a
protection layer on top of a geomembrane), carbon black
coloured needlepunched HDPE nonwovens like Depotex
should be used to ensure adequate long-term perfor-
mance. Depotex with HDPE raw material offers the best
currently available chemical resistance and fits well with
the HDPE family of products for landfills. Depotex was
specifically developed for landfill applications to fulfil
the
highest demands for chemical and UV-resistance.
Literature
[1] FGSV; Merkblatt fr die Anwendung von Geotextilien und
Geogittern im Erdbau des Straenbaus, Kln 1994
[2] prENV 12224; Determination of the resistance to weathering,
CEN 1996
[3] Trubiroha, P.; Schrder, H.; Klassifizierung von
Geotextilien
hinsichtlich der Wetterbestndigkeit, K-Geo, Mnchen, March
1997
(published also in Durability standards for geosynthetics: The
tests
for weathering, EuroGeo 1, Maastricht, 1996)
[4] von Maubeuge, K.P.;Wetterbestndigkeit von Geotextilien,
s+t,
Juni, 1991.
Tab. 1:
UV-resistanceclassification
(FGSV guidelines)
Fig. 1:UV-restistanceof geotextiles
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09/2002.
A - needlepunched nonwoven, grey, PP, no stabiliser
B - needlepunched nonwoven, grey, PET, no stabiliser
C - woven, PET, white
D - needlepunched nonwoven, black HDPE, (Depotex)
E - woven, black, PP, with stabiliser
F - thermally bonded nonwoven, white PE/PP, stabilised
G - needlepunched nonwoven,white PP, stabilised
H - needlepunched nonwoven, grey PET, no stabiliser
I - thermally bonded nonwoven, white PP, stabilised
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