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Geomembrane Cushion

In any landfill project, properly protecting the impermeable geomembrane from tearing or puncturing is paramount. Research indicates that a properly selected nonwoven, needle-punched geotextile cushion installed above and/or below the geomembrane can effectively protect it from operational damage.

Due to the critical nature of geomembrane cushions, M.A.R.V. weight, environmental nonwovens are typically used and specified for landfills due to their more reliable thicknesses. Increased geotextile thickness has been shown to reduce geomembrane deformation. M.A.R.V. weight nonwovens require a larger quantity of fibers to manufacture than the typical civil nonwovens used in the majority of construction projects in the U.S. This increased number of fibers is critical in the protection performance of a nonwoven geomembrane cushion.

  • M.A.R.V. Weight Nonwovens
  • Increased Fibers – Reliable Thickness
  • Geomembrane Cushion Thickness is Critical
  • Reduces Geomembrane Deformation
  • Geomembrane Design Charts Exist

US Fabrics cannot offer design assistance for such a critical application. The Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) has a white paper that discusses the design of geotextiles for puncture protection of geomembranes. Simplified, conservative design charts also exist for quickly determining the correct geotextile. These charts list typical applications and important factors for consideration such as load and subgrade soil conditions.

Once the designer has determined the properties required for the geomembrane cushion, US Fabrics offers a complete line of environmental nonwovens to meet most specifications.

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