Pendergrass, Ga.-based TenCate Geosynthetics North America — the U.S. operation of the Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate's TenCate Geosynthetics business — has added TenCate Mirafi® RS380i to its RSi-Series of roadway reinforcement geotextiles.

The patent-pending Mirafi RS380i is a lighter version of Mirafi RS580i - a highly engineered, high-strength geotextile launched last year to provide base reinforcement and subgrade stabilization coupled with high water permeability and soil retention. The new product offers designers an economical option for less severe roadway reinforcement applications.

The RSi-Series features a double-layer construction to allow good filtration and drainage while also offering a high level of separation and high strength at low strains; and an orange color pattern to differentiate it from traditional black geotextiles.

The company also has developed Debris Shield, a patent-pending composite geotextile engineered to provide additional impact resistance for the company's Geotube® tubular textile containers, which are filled with local sand or sludge and used to prevent shoreline erosion. Debris Shield technology dissipates energy created by impact force from debris carried by water, helping to extend the service life of Geotubes.

"TenCate Geotube containers could be subject to damage from water carried debris, vandalism, boat propellers and a number of other situations," explained Chris Timpson, assistant market manager, TenCate Geosynthetics. "If the integrity of the geocontainer is compromised or damaged, the geocontainer may lose its ability to provide erosion protection due to reduction in height from sand loss."

Debris Shields take the shape of the geocontainer and blend into the marine environment. The geotextile may be designed to provide either partial or total protection; and the technology may be adapted for various applications including sand dune cores, jetties, dikes, groynes and river applications.

August 9, 2011