9¢ TENCATE Polyfelt® TECHNICAL NOTE bat Resistance of Polyfelt Nonwoven Geotextiles Geotextiles and geosynthetics that are installed in civil and environmental engineering projects a exposed to direct sunlight for a considerable period of time. Under these circumstances, when de 0 account the degradation process and specify appropriate parameters to control the UV degradation engineers must tak Process. This Technical Note provides engineers, information on the effect of UV degradation on the performance of {geosynthetics and methods on how to control the effects ofthat degradation. General Any polymer used for the manufacture of geosynthetics will degrade when exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of natural sunlight over time, The resistance of geotextles to the effects of exposure to suniightis therefore a factor that must be considered by engineors ‘when evaluating and designing geosynthatics. ‘The rate of UV degradation on geosynthetics depends on: = the polymer composition and color of the geosynthatis, manufacturing process, 9. aditives, — intensity and duration of UV exposure, ~ temperature and relative humidity, application of geosynthetics (high degradation rate when used with ‘geomembrane inland) Particular careis necessary under the following circumstances: When the gootoxtie is to be installed in regions of the world where UV radiation levels are high (see Figure 1). The Tropics, Middle and Far East, Australia, Southern ‘rica and Latin America. are regions requiring particular attention High lvels of radiation can however also be measured in alpine regions or other particularly exposed areasin Europ. When the nature af the application is such that the geotextilo will be exposed to sunlight for long periods of time, eg. in landfillconstruction see Figure. = On large projects where the construction method or contract means that the Petree adoro Tete Fre: Gaver ieoes of anal bl ration My hale ote thot qu appro 42M} (geotextle wil remain exposed over a period of weeks oreven months. Ensuring Long-term UV resistance of Gootextiles For more than 20 years, TenCate Polyflt has appraised and investigated the performance of its Polyfelt nwoven range of geotextiles due tothe effect of UV. Asa result of thsintensive investigation, all TenCate Poyfelt nonwoven geotexties are manufactured under stringent 180 and CE standards to the folowing Parameters, to control and minimize the degre dation process ofits nonwoven geotestile: —use of only high quality 100% PP raw material. No mixture of polymers in the raw materials allowed as this will have adverse effect on the gootextile UV resistance ~ allPolyelt nonwoven gootextiles are added with optimum level of UV stabilizer or inhibitor prior to the polymer extrusion process, Only the continuous filament noedle punched manufacturing technology of Polyfelt can allow ths. retention of tensile and CBR puncture strength >70% (>60% with goomem- ‘utara ipa cs ay ty an Te eae ae ae ttn pn tied Tes sp grin) tie ane nae onset Aone tors ‘entree pr ha ents tet Sys as panama oa sane 1 SiS 7, Saye 27 00S a Sen Dan an ase Twseonstenese, fa -B00S1a 60 Dlsaisiuratecon sr etcen Fue 2: Facial eamgle of degrade nonwoven oer 8 Ionth pose to Mie Eupean einai condtons ‘ii Ausr)-non UV etabzed PP brane) after 3 months direct outdoor ‘axposure under tropical conditions (~160kcallem), high quality packaging of geotextle ols to ensure continuous cover of geotextiles When delivery tste Research and Investigation on UV Resistance of Polyfelt Nonwoven Geotextilos The investigation on the UV resistance of Polyfelt nonwoven geotextiles started inthe early 80s such as that by the Australia Wool ‘esting Authority (1982, Geotechnical Control Office Hong Kong (1986) and South Florida Test Service Inc. (1987), These investigations have been an ongoing process since then to track with the development of Poyfelt nonwoven geotextiles in terns of improved polymer and its manufacturing technology. In ‘these investigations, both laboratory and outdoor UV exposure tests were conducted in 70% (> 60% with goomembrane} tensile and CBR puncture strength after3 months iret outdoor exposure under tropical weather conditions (~ 160kcalle, ~ Certificates of campiance such a supporting test document (outdoor test, CE compliance ‘document ormanufacturercerifieate ta confirm evelaf UV resistance shall be submitted, Construction and Storage Recommendations ~ It is recommended that th geoextl ad onsite be covered as son as posible with soil beckfiltominimizeits exposure to dec sung. ‘Where sci coveris not possible orimmedatly available, the geotextiesallbe covered with last sheet. ~ For landfill construction i is recommended that the landfill disposal sit be divided up into smaller els nly cals that are under construction ae covered with gosynthatic ners and subsequently with waste disposal. This wil mininize the exposure of geotertileto heat and wy. ~ Where geotextil needs tobe lin the entre andl project within aspect time framein a subcontract work, itis recom-mended that a plastic layer be placed oer the geotetil layer nflthe getextlis permanant covered with andfilwastematorial ~ The geotoxtil rolls stall be properly and securly wrapped with high quality packaging to ‘ensure continuous cover of the gotetiles when delivery tsi ~ Tho geotxte rol shall be property stored atthe site ta prevent dec exposure to sunlight. Method statement of proper storage and handing of geoextlisgvenin the TenCate leaflet "Recommended Storage and Handing of Geosynthetics”. Polyfelt TS - UV Resistance | 3