What is BS EN 13491 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of tunnels and underground structures about?
BS EN 13491 is the European standard on the requirements for geosynthetic barriers when used in a specific application.
BS EN 13491 specifies the characteristics of geosynthetic barriers, including polymeric geosynthetic barriers, clay geosynthetic barriers and bituminous geosynthetic barriers, when used as fluid barriers and separation layers in the construction of tunnels and associated underground structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics.
The intended use of these products is to control the leakage of fluid through the construction. BS EN 13491 provides the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) of the product including factory production control procedures.
NOTE 1: BS EN 13491 does not cover applications where the geosynthetic barrier is to be in contact with water that has been treated for human consumption.
NOTE 2: BS EN 13491 is not applicable to geotextiles or geotextile-related products.
Who is BS EN 13491 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of tunnels and underground structures for?
BS EN 13491 on geosynthetics is useful for:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of geosynthetic materials
- Civil engineers
- Manufacturers of polymers, clays and bituminous products
Why should you use BS EN 13491 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of tunnels and underground structures?
A geosynthetic barrier is a barrier with at least one of whose components is made from a synthetic or natural polymer, in the form of a sheet, a strip or a three-dimensional structure, used in contact with soil and/or other materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications. BS EN 13491 navigates you through the characteristics and corresponding methods of testing geosynthetic barriers used in the construction of tunnels and associated underground structures to prevent or reduce the flow of fluid through the structure. BS EN 13491 specifies the physical and mechanical properties of geosynthetic materials, as well as the test techniques for determining them. Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) on the compliance of geosynthetic barriers for use in the construction of tunnels and associated underground structures are given in BS EN 13491. BS EN 13491 provides guidance on the factory production control (FPC) system to ensure that the products placed on the market comply with the declared performance of the essential characteristics.
Overall, BS EN 13491 instructs you on the features of geosynthetic materials that prevent leakages and ensure the longevity of geosynthetic barriers used in tunnels and associated underground structures construction for the satisfactory performance of barrier systems. In this way, geosynthetic materials can be used to function efficiently, ensuring flexibility, mechanical strength, frost and heat resistance, availability through industrial manufacturing, and ease of workability, resulting in the long-term performance of tunnels and associated underground structures.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13491:2018 supersedes BS EN 13491:2013. BS EN 13491:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 13491:2013. These include:
- The list of normative references has been updated
- Figures and keys have been revised
- “Evaluation of conformity” has been superseded by “Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP)”
