BS EN 13361:2018

What is BS EN 13361 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of reservoirs and dams about?  

BS EN 13361 is the European standard on the requirements for geosynthetic barriers when used in a specific application. 

BS EN 13361 specifies the characteristics of geosynthetic barriers, including polymeric geosynthetic barriers, clay geosynthetic barriers and bituminous geosynthetic barriers, when used as fluid barriers and separation layer for water, in the construction of reservoirs and dams, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics. The intended use of these products is to control the leakage of potable, fresh or saline water through the construction. 

BS EN 13361 provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) of the product to this European Standard including factory production control procedures. BS EN 13361 defines characteristics to be considered with regard to the presentation of performance. 

NOTE: BS EN 13361 is not applicable to geotextiles or geotextile-related products. 

Who is BS EN 13361 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of reservoirs and dams for? 

BS EN 13361 on geosynthetics is useful for: 

• Manufacturers and suppliers of geosynthetic materials  
• Civil engineers 
• Manufacturers of polymers, clays and bituminous products 

Why should you use BS EN 13361 - Geosynthetic barriers in the construction of reservoirs and dams?  

A geosynthetic barrier is a barrier with at least one of whose components is made from a synthetic or natural polymer, in the form of a sheet, a strip or a three-dimensional structure, used in contact with soil and/or other materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications. BS EN 13361 navigates you through the characteristics and corresponding methods to test geosynthetics to prevent or reduce the flow of fluid through the structure. 

BS EN 13361 provides the types of application for the geosynthetic barrier on a reservoir or dam slope that includes: 

• Application 1: “covered in service” 
• Application 2: “not covered in service” 

BS EN 13361 specifies the physical and mechanical properties of geosynthetic materials, as well as the test techniques for determining them. Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) on the compliance of geosynthetic barriers for use in the construction of reservoirs and dams are given in BS EN 13361. BS EN 13361 provides guidance on the factory production control (FPC) system to ensure that the products placed on the market comply with the declared performance of the essential characteristics. 

Overall, BS EN 13361 navigates you through the features of geosynthetic materials that prevent leakages and ensure the longevity of geosynthetic barriers used in reservoir and dam construction for the satisfactory performance of dam barrier systems. 

In this way, geosynthetic materials can be used to function efficiently, ensuring flexibility, mechanical strength, frost and heat resistance, availability through industrial manufacturing, and ease of workability, resulting in the long-term performance of dams and reservoirs.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 13361:2018 supersedes BS EN 13361:2013. BS EN 13361:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 13361:2013. These include: 

• The list of normative references has been updated 
• Figures and keys have been revised 
• “Evaluation of conformity” has been superseded by “Assessment and verification of constancy of performance.