Soils which were known to have caused sedimentation problems in drain pipes were used in the investigations. Different envelope combinations such as soil-fabric, soil-gravel and soil-sand-fabric were evaluated. Nine 100 mm diameter, 250 mm high permeameters were used to determine the functioning of envelope materials and to improve the criteria for testing of envelope materials. To obtain a clear indication of success/failure of an envelope, a wide range of hydraulic gradients and different thicknesses of soils and envelopes were used. The most effective thicknesses were, 5 cm of soil with fabrics and 2.5 cm of soil plus 7.5 cm of gravel for gravel envelopes. / All the fabrics were successful in retaining the soil particles. No clogging was observed and higher flow rates were measured in fabrics having 2 to 3 mm thicknesses with openings O$ sb{95}$ finer than 100 $ mu$m. / SCS criteria (1988) with the following modifications: $ rm D sb{100}0.3$ mm for gravel; and $ rm D sb{100}<9.5$ mm for crushed rock mixed with sand are suggested. The performance of envelopes meeting these criteria were successful. / The laboratory tests show that the use of a fabric with river sand as an envelope has a very good potential for successful field operation. There was no laboratory evidence to reject the functioning of this concept.

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Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Geotextiles perform a number of functions in various applications in civil engineering practise. It is often cost effective and more environmentally friendly versus conventional construction methods. One of the main functions of a geotextile is filtration whereby the geotextile is expected to hold back the soil particles and simultaneously has to allow sufficient water to pass through it. Soils are all different and can be problematic when it comes to designing geotextile filters. One such problematic soil is encountered in KwaZulu- Natal, situated along the east coast of South Africa. The Berea sand is problematic as it can highly variable in its engineering properties over a small area. Geotextiles are becoming more and more common practice in South Africa and little is known about the filtration performance of commercially available geotextiles in conjunction with Berea sand. Local guidelines that are available are out of date and do not provide enough information to assist design engineers in decision making. Many international guidelines are available and it is difficult to choose which one is best suited to Berea sands. This primary objective of this study is to investigate the filtration performance of four variants of commercially available geotextiles and three variants of Berea sand. The applicability of some of the international filter design criteria will also be assessed. The soil to geotextile compatibility testing was carried out as per ASTM D5101 (2006) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Soil-Geotextile System Clogging Potential by the Gradient Ratio. In total 12 permutations were executed. The results showed that only 5 test permutations met the gradient ratio and permeability criteria. The test results also conclude that the permeability is just as important as the gradient ratio. Thick geotextiles should be considered when used as filters in Berea sands. The available international geotextile filter design criteria were assessed and all showed poor correlation between laboratory results and suggested criteria. Designing geotextile filters in conjunction with Berea reds is challenging and it is recommended that design engineers perform laboratory performance testing in conjunction with their designs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geotekstiele verrig vir 'n aantal funksies in verskeie programme in die siviele ingenieurswese praktyk. Dit is dikwels meer koste-effektief en omgewingsvriendelik, teenoor konvensionele konstruksie metodes. Een van die belangrikste funksies van 'n geotekstiel is filtrasie, waardeur van die geotekstiel verwag word om van die grond terug te hou, en gelyktydig genoeg water daardeur te laat vloei. Grond verskil en dit kan problematies wees wanneer dit kom by die ontwerp van geotekstiel filters. Een so ‘n problematiese grond kom voor in KwaZulu-Natal, geleë langs die ooskus van Suid-Afrika. (Die) Berea sand is problematies, want dit verander geweldig baie ten opsigte van ingenieurseienskappe oor 'n redelike klein area. Gebruik van geotekstiele word al hoe meer ‘n algemene praktyk in Suid- Afrika, terwyl min bekend is oor die filtrasie prestasie van kommersieel beskikbare geotekstiele in samewerking met Berea sand. Plaaslike riglyne wat beskikbaar is, is verouderd en onvoldoende inligting is beskikbaar aan ontwerpingenieurs vir besluitneming . Baie internasionale riglyne is beskikbaar en dit is moeilik om te besluit watter een die beste van toepassing is vir Berea sand. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die filtrasie prestasie van vier modelle van kommersieël beskikbare geotekstiele en voorbeelde van drie soorte Berea sand te ondersoek. Die toepaslikheid van 'n paar van die internasionale filter ontwerp kriteria sal ook beoordeel word. Die toetsing van grondverenigbaarheid met geotekstiel is uitgevoer soos aangedui in ASTM D5101 (2006 ) – Standaard Toets Metode vir die meet van die grond-Geotekstiel verstopping potensiëel deur die gradient verhouding. In totaal is 12 permutasies uitgevoer. Die resultate het getoon dat slegs 5 toetspermutasies beide gradiënt verhouding en permeabiliteit kriteria bevredig het. Dikker geotekstiele word ook aanbeveel vir gebruik as filters in Berea sand. Van die toets resultate kan ook afgelei word dat die permeabiliteit net so belangrik soos die gradiënt verhouding is. Beskikbare internasionalegeotekstiel filter ontwerp kriteria is nagegaan en al die metodes het swak korrelasie tussen laboratorium resultate en die voorgestelde kriteria getoon. Om geotekstiel filters in samewerking met Berea Reds te ontwerp is 'n uitdaging en dit word aanbeveel dat ontwerpingenieurs laboratorium prestasietoetsing in samewerking met hul ontwerpe uitvoer.