Pendergrass, Ga.-based TenCate Geosynthetics North America, a division of the Netherlands-based
Royal Ten Cate, had announced the North American launch of GeoDetect® — an intelligent geotexile
monitoring system that gives early warning of deformations in soil structures. The system, which
integrates optical glass fibres along with special instrumentation equipment and software into the
geotextile, can record slight settlements as well as changes in temperature and strain at an early
stage, enabling breach-prevention measures to be taken. TenCate’s GeoDetect system is built into
dyke bodies during the construction of seawalls, roads and railways; and into retaining walls,
tunnels, underground structures and pipelines.
“By combining proven optical fiber technology with the characteristics of our geotextiles,
TenCate Geosynthetics offers the most accurate, customizable and profitable monitoring system that
is currently available,” said Wilson Harvie, director of corporate business development, TenCate
Geosynthetics North America. “This underscores TenCate Geosynthetics aspiration to offer global
system solutions to complex problems in the field of geotechnology.”
TenCate’s GeoDetect system already has been utilized in pilot projects in Europe, including
one project to construct the embankment for the rails of the French National Railways’ high-speed
line; and the IJkdijk project, which involved testing of new inspection and monitoring technology
for dams and seawalls in the Netherlands.
January 5, 2010
