Fibertex SA distributes a wide range of Naue Geosynthetics products, including the Bentofix® and newly launched Bentofix® X range of Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) designed for use as efficient sealing barriers in a range of diverse applications, including landfill projects.
Bentofix GCLs are needle-punched, reinforced composites that combine two durable geotextile outer layers and a uniform core of high swelling powder sodium bentonite clay. This forms a uniform, multi-directional, shear resistant hydraulic barrier, with self-sealing and re-healing characteristics.
Bentofix GCLs
Bentofix GCLs are used as a replacement for conventional compacted clay layers and when hydrated with water, the bentonite swells and forms a low permeability gel layer, with improved hydraulic performance over traditional, thick compacted clay liners.
The needle-punched process and ‘Thermal Lock’ manufacturing technology increases the internal and external shear strength of GCLs, creating a single, engineered barrier that utilizes the best of both synthetic and natural materials and expands the range of applications in which GCLs can be used.
“The Bentofix GCL product is particularly well suited for use in the composite liner and capping systems of landfills, as well as in cut-off trenches and other installations where a reliable barrier system is required,” says Darryn Meisel, national sales manager, Fibertex South Africa.
Bentofix X GCL
“Bentofix X GCLs represent the latest advancements in GCL products, where the woven geotextile is coated with an additional, low permeability polyethylene (PE) layer to achieve an immediate barrier prior to hydration. With the additional bonding of a PE coating, the fibre reinforcement is also more permanently locked and further increases the pull-out resistance, as well as the internal shear strength of the GCL.
“Bentofix X also enhances the available factor of safety and confidence in products and their applications for design engineers. The addition of the PE layer exemplifies how modifications to geosynthetic product design can be made to anticipate exactly what the design engineer requires in effectively dealing with the specific challenges of every site.
Bentofix X GCLs can be installed where a prompt barrier against gas and radon is necessary; where desiccation needs to be permanently avoided and where protection against root penetration is specifically required. Other applications are where erosion of the bentonite due to high water heads must be avoided and where a supplementary barrier against critical liquid migration is required.
The outer surface structure of the additional PE coating varies according to the thickness of the coating and provides for higher interface friction angles and stability in steep slope applications. This is ideal for maximising the capacity of landfills.
Other Naue Geosynthetics
Other Naue Geosynthetics products available from Fibertex locally include the Secugrid® range of 4th generation geogrids, comprising durable biaxial and uniaxial, polyester (PET) and polypropylene (PP) high-strength geogrids. Secugrid geogrids are suitable for all civil engineering applications, including environmental, infrastructure, mining and marine engineering projects.
About Fibertex SA
Fibertex SA supplies an extensive range of environmentally-friendly geosynthetic products from its KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape facilities that encompasses nonwoven and woven geotextiles, gabions and mattresses, subsoil drainage pipes and fittings, erosion control mechanisms, cuspated sheets, subsoil drainage systems and cellular confinement solutions.
The company also supplies soil and asphalt reinforcing products, including geogrids and geocells, as well as geosynthetic clay liners and geomembranes as part of composite lining systems used in modern landfills and for other environmental protection applications.
