Project Description
As part of a project to upgrade ski facilities and to provide more consistent piste conditions in increasingly unpredictable winter weather, Funivie Seggiovie San Martino Spa commissioned the design of a new water basin for the production of artificial snow at the San Martino di Castrozza resort, high in the Italian Alps.
The Challenge
Construction of a basin high on a mountainside meant that groundwater flowing beneath the liner would create an increase in hydrostatic pressure. This could, especially in times when the basin was not full, cause uplift or floating of the lining system that would be detrimental to the serviceability and longevity of the pond. A reliable, low cost and easy to install drainage method was sought to remove this groundwater pressure beneath the liner. The designers, on behalf of the client, also wanted a way to capture and monitor leakage beneath identifiable sections of the liner to decide if and when any remedial repairs may be required.
The Solution
Pozidrain 7D240D/NW8 was laid as a double function groundwater drainage and leak detection layer. It was chosen to provide a thin and effective water pressure relief membrane, having a flow capacity sufficient to cope with the groundwater conditions expected locally. This version of Pozidrain was also selected for both its long term creep resistance of up to 250kPa and for resistance to installation loads.
Pozidrain 7D240D/NW8
The upper part of the cuspated drain enables the efficient identification and collection of water in the event of a leak and the addition of a flat selvedge down one edge of the Pozidrain 7D240D/NW8 creates a pressure seal overlap between adjacent rolls. This acts as a secondary liner in the event of any leaks to the primary HDPE membrane and protects against damage to the basin structure. One truck of Pozidrain provides the drainage capacity of >300 trucks of drainage stone. This was easier to transport up the mountain, required less excavation and therefore provided a carbon saving and more efficient drainage solution.
The ABG Service
Distributed through Huesker Srl, Italy, ABG were able to support with test results, installation instructions and on‐time delivery.