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Structural Drainage

ABG manufacture and supply a wide range of geocomposite drainage layers designed to alleviate hydrostatic pressure, control groundwater and manage surface water within structures.

When compared to traditional drainage stone our Deckdrain and Fildrain ranges offer far more consistent performance and vastly superior filtration, and drainage performance, while also adding a layer of protection to the waterproofing.

Where filtration is not required, such as basement tanking or some tunnel applications, Cavidrain offers the same high performance.

Roofdrain offers drainage and attenuation for green roof applications, while our blueroof system allows roofs and podium areas within the footprint of the building to be used to manage rainwater run-off.

ABG Geosynthetics provide specialist technical advice on the best option to meet site requirements. With applications ranging from cut and cover tunnelling to bridge abutments and retaining walls, our range of structural drainage products has it covered.

Typical applications

Relief of external water pressure from buried structures
Highways Bridge abutment and wingwall drainage
Drainage behind retaining walls
Covered reservoir roofs and walls
Tunnel drainage / green tunnels
Green bridge drainage
Railway bridges, abutments and walls
Roof garden drainage
Block paving drainage
Relief of uplift pressure beneath tanks, slabs and culverts
Capillary break layer below base slabs
Structural drainage

Benefits

Horizontal or vertical drainage applications (walls)
Reduced thickness of drainage layers when compared to traditional aggregate drainage stone
Reduced dead loads on structure means thinner slabs are possible
High, factory controlled constant flow capacity
Wide rolls of Deckdrain are suited for rapid installation, reducing construction time
Enhances the performance of structural waterproofing by providing an additional barrier that prevents the majority of the water reaching the liner.
High CBR puncture resistance of Deckdrain^® provides protection.
Allows use of lower specification backfill
Reduced traffic volumes to site when compared with stone, meaning reduced carbon footprint and fewer vehicle movements

Typical Client Profile

Waterproofing Contractors
Drainage Contractors
Water, Wastewater, and Utilities Companies
Roofing Contractors
Covered Reservoir Engineers
Tunnel Engineers
Green Roof Consultants and Designers
Blue Roof Consultants and Designers
Highways Engineers
Railway Engineers
Structural Engineers

ABG provide structural drainage systems for the following applications:

Paving and podium decks

Deckdrain provides factory consistent drainage in a geocomposite that is just a few millimetres thick, making it ideal for use under block or permeable paving. Roofdrain and blueroof will also provide drainage, but with the added benefit of storm water attenuation capacity.

Retaining walls and Bridge Abutments

Deckdrain can provide drainage up to 50 times more efficient than crushed stone fill. That means achieving the same level of performance, with vastly reduced vehicle movements when compared to traditional methods. Deckdrain is easy to install without specialist knowledge or equipment.

Buried Structures

When installed on the external faces of a buried structure, Deckdrain collects and drains percolated groundwater. It prevents the majority of water reaching the waterproofing system, and provides an added layer of protection. The high compressive strength of Deckdrain means it is suitable even for very deep sub-surface structures such as potable water reservoirs, water/sewage treatment plants and basements. Deckdrain can also be used as a self-draining lost shutter when concrete is cast directly into the impermeable back.

Green Roofs and Blue Roofs

Roofdrain provides drainage and attenuation for green roofs. Where attenuation is not required, Deckdrain can be used to provide a light-weight drainage layer underneath intensive green roofs and mixed use areas. Deckdrain has been engineered to be suitable in high-load areas, such as car parks and podium decks.

ABG have also developed the blueroof system to provides attenuation capacity for major storm events without the difficulties of constructing underground tanks or losing land take to ponds and swales. ABG blueroof provides multiple SuDS compliant treatment stages to the run-off as it discharges, along with a range of other environmental benefits.

Tunnel Structural Drainage

Tunnels – Cut & Cover

Deckdrain is a highly effective structural drainage layer when used on cut and cover tunnels and green tunnels, providing an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional granular, structural drainage. It provides a highly effective drainage zone against the structure, along with the additional benefit of acting as a durable protection layer for the chosen waterproofing system.

The HDPE cuspated core of the Deckdrain geocomposite provides a free flowing drainage void allowing water to flow in all directions, unlike linear or pipe systems. The cuspates are designed to support the stiffened filtration geotextile which is thermally bonded to the core to ensure that it does not deform into the drainage void under the pressure of the backfill material. The use of Deckdrain eliminates the need for further protection of the waterproofing system.

Tunnels – Internal Drainage

Inside the tunnel our Cavidrain Protector and Cavidrain Liner are used to provide drainage for the lining system, while also reducing the amount of sprayed concrete lost to rebound. Cavidrain Invert provides tunnel invert drainage with a much smaller excavation required, greatly reducing the amount of drainage stone and construction time.

Green Bridges & Tunnels

ABG Deckdrain geocomposite is used for the construction of green bridges and green tunnels to protect the waterproofing and provide drainage to the structure, which removes the need for bulky porous blocks and the logistical challenge of importing granular fill.