Waterproofing of hydraulic structures with geomembranes

Hydraulic infrastructures need waterproofing barriers that are deformable, able to withstand displacements, and durable. Equally important are construction, freedom from routine maintenance and durability.

Geomembranes offer a number of advantages.

Geomembranes protect structures from water infiltration, which is detrimental to their life and safety, and prevent water leakage into slopes from affecting their stability and, ultimately, the integrity of structures.

They resist ground settlement, differential movements between adjacent blocks of the structure, or between deformable parts and rigid appurtenances, which exert very high stresses.

The installation of geomembranes involves lighter logistics and shorter construction times than conventional waterproofing solutions, such as concrete/asphalt facings or clay/asphalt concrete cores.

Geomembranes allow the use of local materials, avoid treatment and reduce the volume of fill. The environmental impact is considerably reduced.

Geomembranes do not require routine maintenance. Accidental damage can be repaired underwater, with no downtime costs.

Carpi, our geomembrane specialist subsidiary

Within the Freyssinet Group, the major specialist in waterproofing geomembranes is Carpi, which is a Swiss-based subsidiary with extremely international activities.

Carpi geomembrane waterproofing solutions differ depending on the type of structure, the loads involved and the specific requirements of each project. The geomembrane installed over the entire surface of the structure in contact with water can be fully exposed, partially or fully covered, or installed as an external water stop at the joints.

For fully exposed geomembranes, we offer a range of face anchorage systems, some of which are patented, placed along parallel lines or at specific points. Ballast layers can be made of concrete, reinforced concrete, shotcrete or granular materials.

  • 48
    New dams
  • 13
    New reservoirs
  • 40
    New traffic tunnels

Why choose Carpi geomembranes for your project

01. Expertise of a specialist since 1963

More than 300 new hydraulic structures worldwide have been waterproofed using Carpi geomembranes.

02. Durable watertightness

The watertightness of our geomembranes is checked during production and is not affected by the climatic conditions on site. The watertightness of the joints and perimeter seals is tested by standardised procedures.

03. High resistance to loads

The tensile performance of our geomembranes and a bespoke design allow them to withstand high stresses resulting from differential movements and settlements.

04. Quick installation

Thanks to simple site organisation, equipment and installation procedures, the waterproofing system can be installed quickly and cost-effectively, enabling rapid commissioning.

Turnkey solutions

From project analysis to... implementation

Project analysis, testing and solution design

The technical teams at Carpi are made up of civil, hydraulic and geotechnical engineers with the expertise to analyse problems and develop the best design for each specific project. They can provide multiaxial testing on scale models, full-scale testing, even underwater, and digital modeling.

Their involvement upstream of the projects, whenever possible, helps to optimize the waterproofing solution on the technical, economic and planning aspects.

Manufacturing and supply

All components of our waterproofing solutions are produced by ISO-certified manufacturers, according to our specifications and under CE marking. They are selected, checked, packed, shipped and delivered to site according to strict quality control procedures.

Installation of the waterproofing solution

Installation procedures depend on the type of structure, the substructure, the composition of the waterproofing system and its anchoring. The steps critical to the long-term effectiveness of the waterproofing system are performed by Carpi’s highly specialized technicians, or by local technicians approved by Carpi after appropriate training and supervised by Carpi.

The same quality assurance standards are applied to all projects, regardless of their size and location.

Carpi, the Freyssinet's waterproofing specialist

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Carpi, the Freyssinet's waterproofing specialist

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