EN 13256:2014/FprA1

Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures

This European Standard specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of tunnels and underground structures, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics.
The intended use of these geotextiles or geotextile-related products is to protect geosynthetic barriers used in tunnels and underground structures.
This standard is not applicable to geosynthetic barriers, as defined in EN ISO 10318.
This standard provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the product to this European Standard and for factory production control procedures.

Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte Eigenschaften für die Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in Tiefbauwerken

Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans la construction de tunnels et de structures souterraines

Geotekstilije in geotekstilijam sorodni izdelki - Značilnosti, ki se zahtevajo pri gradnji tunelov in podzemeljskih delov

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 189 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 189/WG 1 - ad hoc group Asphalt reinforcement
• Current Stage: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 12-Nov-2014
• Due Date: 25-Oct-2015
• Completion Date: 12-Nov-2014
• Directive: 305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Mandate: M/107 - Mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardization work for harmonized standards on geotextiles
• Mandate: M/386 - AMENDMENT TO: Mandate M/107 to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardisation work for Harmonized standards on Geotextiles
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13256:2014/kFprA1:2014 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures

Relations

• Merged Into: EN 13256:2014+A1:2015 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures
• Effective Date: 05-Dec-2014
• Amends: EN 13256:2014 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground structures
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2014

Overview

EN 13256:2014/FprA1 is a European standard developed by CEN/TC 189 that specifies the essential characteristics required for geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in the construction of tunnels and underground structures. This standard focuses on defining performance criteria and appropriate test methods to ensure that these materials can effectively protect geosynthetic barriers installed in subterranean environments.

Although it addresses geotextiles specifically, it excludes geosynthetic barriers as defined by EN ISO 10318. The document also covers procedures for assessing product constancy, factory production control, and durability, supporting the long-term reliability needed in infrastructure projects.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  Defines relevant characteristics and test methodologies for geotextiles used in tunnel and underground construction to protect geosynthetic barriers.

• Durability Requirements
  Includes guidance on expected service life ranging from 5 to 100 years depending on soil conditions and material type, considering factors such as chemical exposure, temperature, and weathering.

  • Service life predictions are based on accelerated aging and durability tests tailored for polymers like polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, aramid, and polyvinyl alcohol.
  • Emphasizes initial and repeat durability testing every 5 years unless product composition remains unchanged.
  • Details on allowed use of rework material and necessary production controls.

• Test Methods
  Specifies standardized tests such as:

  • Accelerated weathering (EN 12224)
  • Resistance to hydrolysis (EN 12447)
  • Oxidation resistance (EN ISO 13438)
  • Tensile strength tests (EN 12226)
    These tests assess factors like retained tensile strength after exposure to environmental influences to ensure performance over service life.

• Quality and Production Control
  Provides requirements for factory production control to guarantee product consistency and conformity with specified characteristics during manufacturing.

Applications

• Tunnel Construction
  Geotextiles complying with EN 13256:2014/FprA1 are used to protect geosynthetic barriers lining tunnels from damage and degradation during and after construction.

• Underground Structures
  Essential in waterproofing, filtration, and reinforcement applications for underground infrastructure such as subways, sewer systems, and underground storage facilities.

• Protection of Geosynthetic Barriers
  Ensures long-term stability and functionality of barriers by providing mechanical protection and chemical resistance within soil and groundwater environments.

• Infrastructure Durability Planning
  Enables engineers and contractors to select geotextile products with verified longevity performance, tailored to specific underground environmental conditions including soil pH and temperature.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 10318 – Defines geosynthetic barriers, which are not covered by this standard.
• EN 12224 – Specifies accelerated weathering test methods critical for durability assessment.
• EN 12447 – Covers testing methods for resistance to hydrolysis in synthetic materials.
• EN ISO 13438 – Details oxidative resistance testing applicable to polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and other polymers used in geotextiles.
• EN 12226 – Provides tensile testing methods for assessing mechanical strength retention.
• EN ISO 3696 – Specifies water quality for analytical laboratory use critical for test consistency.

Practical Value

Implementing EN 13256:2014/FprA1 ensures the selection of geotextiles with proven performance, verified durability, and compliance with rigorous European testing protocols, thereby reducing maintenance costs and enhancing safety in tunnel and underground construction. This standard assists manufacturers in maintaining product quality through continuous factory oversight. It is a vital reference for civil engineers, geotechnical specialists, and construction firms seeking reliable, standardized materials for subterranean projects.

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Keywords: EN 13256 2014, geotextiles for tunnels, underground structures, geotextile durability, tunnel construction standards, geosynthetic barrier protection, European geotextile standard, geotextile test methods, factory production control, long-term geotextile performance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2014
*HRWHNVWLOLMHLQJHRWHNVWLOLMDPVRURGQLL]GHONL=QDþLOQRVWLNLVH]DKWHYDMRSUL
JUDGQMLWXQHORYLQSRG]HPHOMVNLKGHORY
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in the
construction of tunnels and underground structures
Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte Eigenschaften für die
Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in Tiefbauwerken
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans la
construction de tunnels et de structures souterraines
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13256:2014/FprA1
ICS:
59.080.70 Geotekstilije Geotextiles
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
93.060 Gradnja predorov Tunnel construction
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
FINAL DRAFT
EN 13256:2014
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
FprA1
June 2014
ICS 59.080.70
English Version
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics
required for use in the construction of tunnels and underground
structures
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte
requises pour l'utilisation dans la construction de tunnels et Eigenschaften für die Anwendung im Tunnelbau und in
de structures souterraines Tiefbauwerken
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for unique acceptance procedure. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 189.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 13256:2014. If this draft becomes an amendment, CEN
members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of this amendment
into the relevant national standard without any alteration.

This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made
by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has
the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13256:2014/FprA1:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
Foreword .3
1 Modification to Clause 2 .4
2 Modification to Annex B .4

Foreword
This document (EN 13256:2014/FprA1:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 189
“Geosynthetics”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
NOTE Due to fact that the Framework Partnership Agreement between the Commission and CEN & CENELEC is not
signed yet, there are currently no New Approach Consultants in place for 2014. Therefore the provisions of CEN-
CENELEC Guide 15 cannot be met.
This shall not prevent the processing of draft standards nor the offering of harmonized standards to the Commission. In
particular, draft standards can be sent to vote without Consultant assessment.
This note will be removed from the Foreword of the finalized publication.

1 Modification to Clause 2
Add the following reference:
"EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use ― Specification and test methods (ISO 3696)".
2 Modification to Annex B
Replace Annex B with the following:
"
Annex B
(normative)
Durability aspects
B.1 General
B.1.1 Service life
The provisions and assessment methods of this annex are based upon the intended use of geosynthetics, as
specified in the scope of this European Standard, and their foreseen service life in years. They are based
upon the current state of the art, knowledge and experience. The service life refers to the period during which
the geosynthetic retains the required properties of this annex, assuming it was properly installed, used and
maintained.
For a geosynthetic which satisfies the requirements of this annex the service life represents a minimum
indication. The real service life, for normal conditions of use, may turn out to be considerably longer without
major degradation affecting the essential requirements of the works defined in the CPR.
The indicated service life of the geosynthetic cannot be interpreted as a guarantee given by the manufacturer
but should be regarded only as a tool for selecting a product suitable for the anticipated working life.
The tests described in this annex do not allow the determination of reduction factors. The tests described in
this annex are screening tests to show the ability of a product to serve for a certain time. The reference
strength and retained strength of products investigated in this Annex B shall be determined in the same way in
accordance with EN 12226.
B.1.2 Initial and repeat testing of durability
A product shall be submitted to an initial testing of its durability in accordance with this annex.
A product that is unchanged shall be tested again after 5 years. A product is considered unchanged if the raw
material supply, the production technology and the process and stabilization of the product have not been
subject to a significant process change.
If a product has been subject to a significant process change, then it shall be tested in the same manner as a
new product.
A significant process change is defined as any of the following:
 a change in the chemical formulation (CAS No);
 reduced active ingredient concentration levels of raw materials in the polymer recipe;
 substitution of any polymer in the recipe, irrespective of any change in concentration.
Testing of a changed product may be exempted for products with a service life of more than 5 years if the
producer can demonstrate by means of regular assessment, including analyses of the process and of long-
term stabilizers, that the type of active ingredients has remained the same and that the content of these
ingredients is not lower than that in the material used in the initial durability testing.
B.1.3 Use of rework material
Rework material can be used without limitations, if the original raw material meets the requirements of this
annex and no pelletizing is done in the rework process.
If pelletizing is done in the re-work process, rework material from the same production or source can be used,
if the final product meets the requirements of this annex. If the original raw material meets the requirements of
this annex, a maximum of 10 % pelletized rework material is acceptable without further proof.
NOTE Pelletizing is a thermal process whereby the polymer melt coming from an extruder is pressed through a die
plate and cut by knives to ma
...