SuDS and the Geosynthetic Solutions

Geosynthetics used in SuDS help to minimise the impact of flooding whilst also facilitating a much more attractive and sustainable landscape in which we work and live.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems - SuDS

Historically, new development has involved the construction of large areas of impermeable surfaces including concrete and asphalt pavements, drives, paths and car parking areas. This has created urban flooding by overloading our existing rainwater and sewerage systems through stormwater run-off. This disregard for natural infiltration into the sub-soil and source control management has significantly contributed to the ongoing problems of extreme flooding. Polluted run-off has also contributed to extensive river pollution and limiting groundwater recharge.

ABG Geosynthetics have developed creative sustainable approaches in the design of innovative hybrid (both above and below ground) Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) where our stormwater is effectively managed and when viable utilised as a valuable natural resource.

SuDS source control techniques such as porous paving and green/blue roofs play a significant role in reducing flood risk by managing our stormwater naturally and alleviating the burden on our existing failing drainage infrastructure.

In addition to incorporating SuDS into all new development, the greatest challenge is the clear need to retrofit SuDS within existing development. This is essential if we are to achieve our objectives of effective flood risk management and water quality, as well as using water as a resource to improve the environment, promote biodiversity and adapt to ongoing climate change.

Typical Applications:

Retail Developments
Retrofit SuDS
New Build SuDS
Run off control
Park and Ride
Highway Developments
Rainwater collection

Benefits:

Run off control
Biodiversity
Contaminant removal
Filtration
Surface water management
High levels in infiltration
Reduced flooding

Typical Clients:

Developers
Local Authorities
Landscapers
Earthworks Contractors
House Builders

ABG provide various geosynthetic solutions to help manage stormwater run-off within a SuDS development including:

Porous Surfaces

The benefits of geosynthetics to the construction of porous pavings are well documented allowing pavements to be constructed using less imported stone, improving water quality by their filtration and allowing pavements to be used for the infiltration/attenuation of collected surface water.

Sudspave porous pavers are used for grass and gravel car parking, access roads and paths. Truckcell heavy-duty paving grids are ideal for HGV, lorry, coach and bus access roads and parking areas. Advanced Turf is a reinforced rootzone system that reinforced grass prone to rutting and wear caused by pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

ABG Sudspave is an example of a permeable gravel or grass surface reinforcement system

Infiltration & Attenuation Tank Systems

Underground SuDS tanks are designed to manage stormwater through infiltration or attenuation functions and can be used in conjunction with permeable paving solutions. Ecobloc Inspect SuDS crates allow infiltration, detention, retention and harvesting of rainwater. ABG geotextiles can form a highly efficient filtration material in infiltration systems whilst geomembranes make effective tanking systems where attenuation is required.

Roof Drainage - Blue & Green

Geosynthetics are an integral element of green and blue roof construction, constructing to the drainage and storage capacity whilst having a positive impact on quality of water discharged from the roof.

Reference Materials
Products
Downloads

SuDS Techniques - Hydraulic, Structural and Water Quality Issues, Environment Agency

Cost benefits of using SuDS in urban areas

Ablon Geomembrane

ABG Ablon is a robust geomembrane that is extremely flexible allowing installation around complex features.

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Deckdrain Drainage Geocomposite

ABG Deckdrain is a high performance geocomposite drainage system. Designed to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional structural drainage techniques, it provides high flow capacity and added protection to waterproofing.

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Roofdrain

Roofdrain is designed for use in extensive green roof systems. It provides both drainage and attenuation in a convenient, lightweight and cost effective system.

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Roofdrain drainage geocomposite for green roofs, blueroofs and roof SuDS attenuation

ABG blueroof - Blue Roof System

ABG blueroof offers a new concept in the management of storm water on a green or brown roof. The patented blue roof system utilises the roof construction for the attenuation of stormwater releasing it at a controlled rate in the period following the storm.

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ABG blueroof Blue Roof System for Green Roofs from ABG geosynthetics

Sudspave Permeable Pavers

Sudspave is a permeable paving grid system of interlocking cellular plastic porous pavers designed for the stabilisation of trafficked grass or gravel surfaces. Used where a free-draining permeable gravel or grass car park, access road or driveway is required.

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Sudspave plastic porous paving grid for permeable trafficable gravel or grass surfaces

EcoBloc Inspect

Ecobloc Inspect is a cellular system designed to form underground voids allowing the infiltration, detention, retention or harvesting of rainwater collected as part of SuDS scheme.

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Advanced Turf - Reinforced Grass

Netlon Advanced Turf System (Netlon ATS) is a high performance mesh-element reinforced natural grass rootzone system. It provides an aesthetic, SuDS compliant free-draining grassed surface, capable of sustaining heavy vehicle loadings in occasional-use applications.

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Netlon Advanced Turf reinforced grass system for traffic from ABG Geosynthetics

Truckcell Heavy-Duty Porous Paver

Truckcell™ is a heavy-duty cellular porous paving system designed for intensive usage and high-load traffic applications. The permeable paver can be filled with topsoil and seeded or with gravel to provide a structural surface for HGV traffic, trucks, coaches and fork-lift trucks.

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