Within urban infrastructure and building construction, geotextiles can be used in a variety of ways to improve construction processes, increase service lives and reduce carbon emissions.
Rain water management
Built environments need to manage rainwater efficiently to avoid hinder or problems from excess water during storms or excessive amounts of rainfall. Several solutions exist, such as storm water ponds and bassins, water retention systems, permeable paving systems,… BontexGeo’s geotextiles create effective filtration and separation layers as part of these water infiltration systems. For ponds and bassins, the nonwoven geotextiles can provide a protective layer to prevent damage to the water proofing liners used.
Green & Blue Roofs
A typical application in urban infrastructure is green & blue roof systems. These systems are used to mitigate the impacts of increased surface water run-off, thereby reducing the burden on conventional drainage and sewer networks. Geotextiles from an integral part of these systems with different applications. Geotextiles can protect the waterproofing liners, will act as a filter in the geocomposite drainage products and can provide additional strength to the system.
Landscaping
A specific geotextile, Phormiroot Plus, can be used in landscaping projects where tree root control is needed. It can be used to control the growth of tree roots, particularly in areas where the roots may cause damage to sidewalks, roads, or buildings. This can be done by installing the geotextile barrier around the tree, extending down to a depth of several feet below the surface. The barrier creates a physical barrier that the roots cannot penetrate. The roots will grow downwards and away from the barrier. This can be especially useful in urban areas where trees are planted near buildings and other infrastructure.
Additionally, specialty geosynthetics and minirolls can be used in landscaping as erosion control on slopes, in walkways and permeable driveways.
Within the Bontexgeo Group solutions are also available to protect the trees and their roots from damage during construction or vehicle traffic. The geotextile material can be placed around the tree, between the trunk and the drip line, which is the outermost edge of the tree’s canopy. This helps to prevent damage to the tree’s roots from pedestrian and vehicle traffic, as well as from lawnmowers and other equipment.
