ELCOMAX® geotextile makes
ELCOROCK® the world’s leading shoreline protection system.
ELCOROCK®
How the
What is ELCOROCK®?
2
SMALL BAGS • 40kg, 60kg and 100kg SMALL CONTAINERS • 0.35m³ and 0.75m³ MEDIUM CONTAINERS • 2.5m³ MEGA CONTAINERS • 2.5m + diameter CUSTOM CONTAINERS • Close to any size available.
ELCOROCK®
The ELCOROCK® coastal erosion and shoreline protection system comprises geosynthetic sand-filled containers and tubes. The elements are made from ELCOMAX® geotextile, and come in a variety of sizes:
3
Why is ELCOROCK® so successful?
To resist the turbulent wave conditions, tidal surges, abrasion, UV degradation, etc., ELCOROCK® containers and tubes use a geotextile designed specifically for the coastal environment – ELCOMAX®
ELCOMAX® is a non-woven staple fibre geotextile. It is used as material for the geotextile sand containers due its proven performance in coastal applications.
ELCOMAX® is a key part in making the ELCOROCK® coastal erosion and shoreline protection system so successful.
ELCOROCK®
The ELCOROCK® containers and tubes are placed in very turbulent coastal environments – meaning the forces applied to the system are unique.
ELCOMAX® is a non-woven staple fibre geotextile – with the fibres used being specifically selected to resist the applied forces in the coastal environment. ELCOMAX® fibres are extremely resistant to • puncture • abrasion • other natural damage mechanisms ELCOMAX® geotextile is available in two types for use in coastal applications • standard • vandal deterrent grade.
ELCOROCK®
What is ELCOMAX®?
4
Performance of ELCOMAX®
5
1. 2. 3.
UV Resistance Abrasion Resistance Damage Resistance
4. 5.
Fines Retention Permeability
6. 7.
Seam Strength Interface Friction
Let’s look at each one of these elements in more detail, to understand why the fibres used in ELCOMAX® makes it a key part of the success of the ELCOROCK® system.
ELCOROCK®
There are a number of important considerations when designing with geosynthetics in coastal applications, include:
6
1. UV Resistance In coastal structures (including rock walls, revetments and ELC O RO C K structures), the open nature and movement of cover material (i.e. sand and rock) means that the geotextile generally is exposed (i.e. UV exposure). ®
address
the
UV
1. As a general rule, the thicker the geotextile, the lower the UV degradation – ELCOMAX® is a very thick geotextile (as seen in the image on the right). 2. The UV resistance of a geotextile is dependant on the % of UV stabilisers in the fibres - ELCOMAX® uses highly UV stabilised fibres. 3. Sand impregnation in the geotextile surface helps protects the underlying geotextile – the coarse fibres of the ELCOMAX® geotextile traps a lot of sand within the surface layer.
ELCOROCK®
So how does ELCOMAX® degradation issue?
2. Abrasion Resistance
7
• There is abrasion from sand particles, wind-blown particles, human traffic and the turbulent hydrodynamic environment. • ELCOROCK® geotextile has superior abrasion resistance. • For example, the results from the tumble test (i.e. where gravel is placed in a rolling barrel) shows that ELCOMAX® retains 80-90% of its initial strength, whereas other geotextiles retain far less than 50% of their initial strength (for a case study on the test method and results, contact us).
ELCOROCK®
The performance of the geotextile in coastal applications in abrasion resistance is critical -
8
3. Damage Resistance As general rules – • a geotextile filter will not perform as designed if it is punctured
(or the
structure of the geotextile is altered).
• the higher the elongation the lower the likelihood of damage. ELCOMAX® geotextile has elongation >70%, whereas other geotextiles may have elongation of <30%. As a result, ELCOMAX® has a higher resistance to damage during installation and in-service – hence it has a higher probability of functioning as designed.
ELCOROCK®
9
4. Fines Retention
The retention of sand within the ELCOROCK® sand containers is important in order to maintain • Structural size. • Container stability (i.e. to ensure the containers do not “pop” out of the wall). • Overall structural stability of the wall or structure. The ELCOMAX® geotextile minimises the potential sand exacerbated by the turbulent water flow in coastal applications.
loss
For example, the ELCOMAX® geotextile retains 100% of the sand (whereas other geotextiles can retain <10% of sand particles).
ELCOROCK®
The geotextile in the ELCOROCK® sand containers needs to retain the fine sand particles within the sand containers.
10
5. Permeability
•
allows water to pass through without loss of material
•
has a high through flow (allowing for rapid change in water levels)
•
allows the structures to not require drainage systems work/concrete walls). walls).
(unlike the traditional block
ELCOROCK®
The permeability of the ELCOMAX® geotextile is excellent in tidal environments, as it –
6. Seam Strength
11
•
are manufactured in ISO 9001 accredited facility – so they are consistently at the highest quality required for coastal forces
•
use the highest quality seam materials – which are UV stabilised, biologically stable and high strength.
The Seams are a critical part of the ELCOROCK® system, as there is a lot of force applied to the seams during installation. As such, a lot of effort is placed in ensuring the strongest, most durable seam pattern is used.
ELCOROCK®
The ELCOMAX® geotextile allows strong, durable seams to be created in the containers. The ELCOROCK® seams –
The ELCOMAX® geotextile provides a high friction co-efficient at the interface between adjacent ELCOROCK® units in the structure.
A high friction co-efficient is required to ensure the structure is stable, and that heavy wave action does not induce movement of the ELCOROCK® units within the structure.
Whilst the correct filling technique enhances the stability of the structure, the use of ELCOROCK® units (with their high friction co-efficient) increases the overall structural stability.
ELCOROCK®
7. Interface Friction
12
We hope that you now see why we use the ELCOMAX® geotextile to make the ELCOROCK® coastal erosion and shoreline protection system.
With over 25 years of installed structures in extreme coastal environments in many geographical regions, supported by worldleading research, we feel that the ELCOROCK® system is a proven, world-class system that out-performs other systems.
If you wish to understand more about the ELCOROCK® coastal erosion and shoreline protection system, please view the presentation –
“Why ELCOROCK® is better”
ELCOROCK®
Conclusion
13
14
Contacts 140 Bernard Street, Cheltenham, Victoria, 3192 Australia. Tel: +61-3-8586 9100 Fax: +61-3-8586 9174 E-mail: sales@ geofabrics.com.au Website: www.geofabrics.com.au
Geofabrics International 11 Production Avenue, Molendinar, Gold Coast, 4214 Queensland, Australia. Tel: +61-7-5594 8600 Fax: +61-7-5563 3727 E-mail: exports@ geofabrics.com.au Website: www.geofabricsinternational.com
Geofabrics Australasia manufacturing operation ELCO Solutions Pty Ltd 31 Activity Crescent, Molendinar, Gold Coast, 4214 Queensland, Australia.
ELCOROCK速
Geofabrics Australasia Pty Ltd