How does StrataDrain™ cut civil work time?
The invention of geosynthetic products has not only revolutionized the construction industry but also changed its facets. Strata Geosystems has been a global leader in the manufacture of geosynthetic material and the evolution of soil reinforcement technology. As trusted manufacturers and suppliers of constantly evolving requirements, we serve clients in the construction industry, spanning from retaining walls to reinforced soil slopes and embankments in highways, landfills, mines, railways and many more areas.
Strata Geosystems has successfully established itself in the construction industry with revolutionary geotechnical products such as StrataGrid, StrataWeb, Sleeve-IT, StrataTex HSR, and StrataDrain. This comprehensive guide will discuss StrataDrain, an advanced draining composite for drainage systems. This product is used in landfills, mines, and other civil work.
What is StrataDrain™?
StrataDrain is an advanced Geocomposite solution for drainage systems. This geosynthetic material has successfully replaced traditional drainage materials. As a geocomposite it’s made from a combination of geonet-geotextile drainage composites which offer high flow. It’s manufactured with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geonet and polypropylene nonwoven fabric bonded to one or both sides. The layers are fused together, creating a strong bond that resists separation. This fusion ensures excellent hydraulic performance and minimizes the risk of failure caused by the fabric component sliding on the drainage core. Because it’s designed to withstand mechanical and chemical climates, it survives for a long time in conditions which have high acidic values, temperatures, or even pressure.
StrataDrain is specially designed using HDPE geonet laminated with PP non-woven geotextiles on either or both sides. This drainage composite plays a vital role as a separator or filter, allowing liquids or gasses to pass through the geonet. This provides protection against water clogging or seepage. Then, the geonet collects the liquids and gasses and passes them to the collection system.
At Strata Geosystems, we offer different thicknesses for the product as per requirements. To find out more about the types, please explore our range of products here. StrataDrain is a low-cost solution for applications and does not require much installation effort. It has reduced transportation costs and improved drainage systems with low maintenance and better filtration.
The applications of StrataDrain are many: right from being deployed for sheet interceptor drains behind retaining walls and reinforced steep slopes, landfill leachate transmission and collection systems, and multi-layered waterproofing and roof deck drainage systems, the most important feature is the relief in hydrostatic pressure of the entire system. Since the geocomposite allows free passage of liquids, it improves the longevity of the entire structure, and prevents water related damage. It is a durable and long-lasting geosynthetic material with a 100-year life. This leads to reduced carbon footprints and sustainability, causing no environmental harm.
Unique features of StrataDrain™
This geosynthetic composite comes with a 100-year guarantee and is EPD verified. However, these are not just the features that make StrataDrain a unique geosynthetic tool; what makes our product stand out for engineers:
- As per section 700-10, it is MORTH compliant.
- It is extensively tested at our GAI-LAP and NABL-accredited lab. It is also ISO & CE certified.
- It can easily withstand high compressive forces.
- The StrataDrain has a thickness of 4 to 7 mm and is laminated from PP GTX (100 to 1000 gsm), which makes it more durable and long-lasting.
- It has a high-quality assurance as it is designed as per MORTH guidelines (700-10).
- It is manufactured using the best-quality PP material, making it more flexible and durable.
- The raw material used for manufacturing this geosynthetic material is UV-resistant, increasing its outdoor life.
Process of manufacturing StrataDrain™
StrataDrain is manufactured using the latest technology in Strata Geosystems’ state-of-the-art manufacturing unit.
To manufacture this geosynthetic material, we follow a 3 step process from raw material to finished product with minimal human intervention:
- Extrusion: The first step is extrusion, which involves the HDPE granules. These granules and additives are mixed together as per the customer’s requirements. Then, this mixture goes through a drying process, where it excretes excess moisture and is mixed with precision to attain optimum quality. The mixed material is then processed into PP/PE plastic nets in several sizes and patterns, mainly biplanar and tri-planar geonets. If the geonets don’t require lamination, they are directly transferred to the packaging stage.
- Lamination cum slitting: The next step involves lamination. This is a precise process where geonets and geotextiles are laminated using thermal heating. The result is known as Drainage Composite or StrataDrain. It comes in different sizes and lengths, ranging from 5m in width to 200m in length. The slitting operation is carried out depending on the customer’s requirements.
- Packaging: Once the geonets and geotextiles have gone through the processes of extrusion and lamination, they have reached the last stage, the packaging. The finished inventory is packed as a roll using HDPE sheets. The products that are to be exported are packed in special wooden pallets. We ensure eco-friendly packaging to avoid chemical spillage or harmful effluents from discharging, keeping the planet safe and sustainable.
What are the benefits of using StrataDrain™?
StrataDrain has proven to be a game-changer in the field of geotechnical engineering. It has significantly changed the facet of the geomaterial industry. Here are some benefits of using StrataDrain. Since it manages hydrostatic build up pressure, which is necessary for structures such as retaining walls, slopes, or landfills as an example–it fundamentally alters the strength and integrity of the structure itself. By being multifunctional as a separator, barrier, and filter, it serves many purposes across a single use case:
- It prevents structural failures
- It also facilitates the construction in a timely manner.
- Being a sustainable and recyclable material, it reduces carbon footprint.
- StrataDrain is extensively designed for civil works, landfills and mining areas.
- It is cost-effective and economical as compared to other geosynthetic materials.
- Another special feature of StrataDrain is that it is designed as an added layer for leak detection. Hence, it effectively helps in avoiding unwanted leakages and spillage.
- It helps remove any contaminated liquid, also known as leachate, from the site generated from water percolated through solid waste. It also helps dispose of all the wastewater easily.
- From a cost standpoint, installation is inexpensive, and thus reduces the overall cost of the project. Since it also minimizes the number of layers needed,i.e. multiple layers of different materials, it presents a simpler installation process.
How does StrataDrain™ cut civil work time?
From an operational standpoint, civil engineers appreciate the efficiency StrataDrain brings to projects through its versatility:
- Easy handling and placement: StrataDrain can be quickly deployed because it requires lesser labor and equipment due to its flexibility and lightweight design.
- Minimal amount of excavation needed: Effective drainage minimizes the need for big excavations and narrower drainage trenches, which cuts down on preparation time.
- Integration with existing systems: It facilitates simple integration with existing drainage systems, streamlining the process and removing the need for laborious alterations.
- Easy installation: StrataDrain combines filtration, drainage, and separation capabilities into a single product, eliminating the need for multiple material layers and streamlining installation.
- Prefabricated design: StrataDrain is ready-to-use design in rolls quickens the construction process by removing the need for on-site fabrication. Or, skilled labour which is needed when you’re deploying other materials.
- Consistent quality: The fusion-bonded structure ensures dependable performance by removing installation errors and rework. This means you’re not left stuck with unprecedented scenarios of products, or structures failing.
Applications of StrataDrain™
If you are looking for a cost-effective and economical drainage solution, StrataDrain is your best option. Its multifaceted use makes it not just a cost-effective choice but also sustainable and safe for the environment. StrataDrain is a reliable solution for drainage challenges arising in the civil and landfill segments of the construction industry. Here is a detailed outline of its application in both segments:
1. Landfill solutions:
Strata Geosystems’ geosynthetic material has multiple functions when it comes to providing landfill solutions. Here are some of the important functions:
- Capping:
Drainage of rainwater and gas collection: StrataDrain is designed to effectively replace huge layers of traditional fillers, which can extend up to 500 to 600 mm. These fillers act as separators and collectors by separating harmful emissions from the top rainwater drainage and collecting these gaseous emissions within the landfills. Replacing these traditional fillers with StrataDrain plays the same role, with the additional advantage of reducing carbon footprint, as it eliminates using mineral fillers like gravel and clay. Hence controlling environmental pollution and unnecessary intervention in the natural filtering process. - Lining and filtration:
Strata Geosystems’ geomaterial StrataDrain not only acts as a separator in landfills but also prevents the accumulation of hazardous chemicals and gas emissions. It acts as a lining between the waste material and the underground water level. Hence, it effectively filters the harmful by-products and channels them through proper drainage systems, fostering the optimum recycling processes. This quality of geomaterial also provides extra space to store more waste in landfills, as this material is comparatively thin. - Leak Detection:
When the landfill is constructed using StrataDrain, two different layers are installed. The first layer, the inner layer, ensures proper drainage to channelize leachate. The other layer, the outer layer, is a geomembrane layer installed below the primary layer. Any leakage or outflow of leachate from the outer layer sends a warning. Although the harmful substances will be properly disposed of, it will raise a red flag.
2. Civil work:
StrataDrain plays an important role in building the foundation of a successful infrastructure. It is utilized in multiple ways, such as:
- Vertical drainage:
Our geomaterial significantly enhances the performance of vertical drainage structures like Earth retaining walls, bridge abutments, and retaining walls. It has proven to be a successful option compared to traditional fillers. - Horizontal drainage:
StrataDrain has been the most preferred filler option for engineers worldwide because of its quick and effective turnaround and easy construction setups. - Longitudinal drainage:
Vertical drainage is another significant use of our product, providing coverage on both sides. In simpler terms, StrataDrain can be used vertically by providing a geocomposite drainage material along with a geotextile layer and drainage pipe of the required length. This will provide vertical drainage on both ends and prevent the drainage channel from flooding.
- Channels:
Our product is multi-functional. It not only provides a proper drainage facility but also acts as a leak detector. It functions in 2 ways: one is to reduce the build-up of fluid pressure, and two is to act as a leak detector for the subsurface layer. It then channels the leakage outwards, helping to restore the structural integrity of the infrastructure. - Tunnels:
Our geosynthetic product is effectively used as a protective layer around the tunnel to provide protection against leakage and seepage. This protective layer enables the proper channelisation of rainwater, preventing the structure from water accumulation and significant damage caused by it.
Strata Geosystems has always been a significant part of revolutionizing the geo-construction segment of civil engineering. By introducing StrataDrain in the market, we have created a more efficient and sustainable product to ensure the structure’s longevity. This geosynthetic material performs on multiple levels. It provides protection against water accumulation, acts as a leak detector, channels the leachate to proper drainage systems, and prevents contamination of underground water. It is not just a geosynthetic material; it is a game changer that has remarkably changed the facet of civil engineering.