BS EN 13251:2016

What is BS EN 13251 - Characteristics required for use in earthworks, foundations and retaining structures about?  

BS EN 13251 discusses characteristics required for earthworks, foundations, and retaining structures. BS EN 13251 specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of earthworks, foundations, and retaining structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics. 

BS EN 13251 provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the product to BS EN 13251 and for factory production control procedures. 

Note1: BS EN 13251 is not applicable to geosynthetic barriers, as defined in ISO 10318‑1. 

Note2: Particular application cases may contain requirements regarding additional properties and – preferably standardized – test methods if they are technically relevant. 

Note3: BS EN 13251 may be used to derive design values by taking into account factors within the context of the definitions given in BS EN 1997‑1 (Eurocode 7), e.g., factors of safety. The design life of the product should be determined, since its function may be temporary, as a construction expediency, or permanent, for the lifetime of the structure. 

Who is BS EN 13251 - Characteristics required for use in earthworks, foundations and retaining structures for? 

BS EN 13251 on characteristics required for use in earthworks, foundations and retaining structures is useful for: 

• Geotextiles and geotextile-related products manufacturers and suppliers 
• Earthworks construction companies 
• Civil engineers 
• Contractors 

Why should you use BS EN 13251 - Characteristics required for use in earthworks, foundations and retaining structures?  

The intended use of these geotextiles or geotextile-related products is to fulfil one or more of the following functions: filtration, separation, and reinforcement. The separation function will always occur in conjunction with filtration or reinforcement, and hence will not be specified alone. The aim of BS EN 13251 provides guidance, characteristics, and requirements of geotextiles and geotextile-related products which make ease earthworks, foundations and retaining structures. 

BS EN 13251 allows manufacturers to describe geotextiles and geotextile-related products on the basis of declared values for characteristics relevant to the intended use and if tested to the specified method. BS EN 13251 also includes procedures for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance and factory production control. 

What is changed since the last update?  

BS EN 13251:2016 supersedes BS EN 13251:2014+A1:2015 which is withdrawn. 

Annex D provides details of significant technical changes between BS EN 13251:2016 and BS EN 13251:2014+A1:2015.