Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5.2
Temporarily securing geotextile tube.
Figure 5.3
Laying out and pumping up a geotextile tube.
The design of a structure using geotextile tubes depends on the filling procedure
used. It is during the filling process that the greatest loads act on the geotextile and
seams. The pump capacity and filling speed are key contributory parameters.
5.2.2 Pump speed and pump capacity
The sand (the structural filling material for the geotextile tube) is supplied as a sand-
water mixture by a pressure pipe from the pump. In this kind of hydraulic transport
environment, pump speed and pipe diameter are dependent on a number of variables,
and these are explained below.
The minimum required pump speed is governed by two variables - the sand qual-
ity and the pump diameter. It is essential to know in advance of the work what the
