EN 13253:2014/FprA1

Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in erosion control works (coastal protection, bank revetments)

This European Standard specifies the relevant characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products used in erosion control works for preventing the migration of fine-graded material into layers of coarser material due to alternating hydraulic gradients, and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics.
This standard covers applications in coastal protection and bank revetment. This standard does not cover surface erosion, where the geotextile or geotextile-related product is located at the surface.
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 shall not be specified alone.
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 in Erosionsschutzanlagen (Küstenschutz, Deckwerksbau)

Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans les ouvrages de lutte contre l’érosion (protection côtière et revêtement de berge)

Geotekstilije in geotekstilijam sorodni izdelki - Značilnosti, ki se zahtevajo pri nadzoru erozije (zaščita obale, zaščita z nasipom)

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 13253:2014/kFprA1:2014 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in erosion control works (coastal protection, bank revetments)

Relations

• Merged Into: EN 13253:2014+A1:2015 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in erosion control works (coastal protection, bank revetments)
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023
• Amends: EN 13253:2014 - Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in erosion control works (coastal protection, bank revetments)
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2014

Overview

EN 13253:2014/FprA1 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies the essential characteristics of geotextiles and geotextile-related products intended for use in erosion control works. These applications primarily include coastal protection and bank revetments, focusing on the prevention of fine material migration into coarser layers under varying hydraulic gradients. The standard defines the filtration, separation, and reinforcement functions of geotextiles, excluding surface erosion control and geosynthetic barriers as defined in EN ISO 10318.

This standard also establishes the test methods required for assessing these properties and ensures the constancy of product performance through factory production control procedures. It is a critical benchmark for manufacturers, engineers, and contractors working with geosynthetics in erosion control projects.

Key Topics

• Scope and Functions

  • Covers geotextiles used in coastal and bank erosion control works
  • Functions include filtration, separation (always combined with filtration or reinforcement), and reinforcement
  • Excludes surface erosion control applications and geosynthetic barriers

• Performance Requirements

  • Designed to prevent the migration of fine-graded materials due to hydraulic forces
  • Specifies key characteristics such as durability, strength retention, and filtration efficiency

• Durability and Service Life

  • Defines guidelines for assessing the expected service life (up to 100 years) of geotextiles
  • Includes specific test methods for durability under conditions like oxidation, hydrolysis, and weathering based on polymer type (e.g., PET, PP, PE, PA, PVA)
  • Requires initial durability testing and periodic retesting if production processes change
  • Details exposure limits and recommendations for product coverage after installation

• Test Methods and Quality Control

  • Referenced test standards include EN 12226 for tensile strength, EN ISO 13438 for oxidation resistance, and EN 12447 for hydrolysis resistance
  • Factory production control procedures ensure ongoing conformity with the standard

Applications

EN 13253:2014/FprA1 is highly relevant for practical use in:

• Coastal Protection Works
  Geotextiles designed to stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion by filtering sediments and reinforcing structural layers under fluctuating water flow conditions.

• Bank Revetments
  Products fulfilling filtration and reinforcement roles to prevent soil erosion along riverbanks, canals, and reservoirs, providing long-term stability against hydraulic forces.

• Hydraulic Engineering Projects
  Use within embankments and underwater erosion control where geotextiles act as critical barriers to fines migration and structural reinforcement.

• Infrastructure Development
  Application in road and railway embankments near water bodies requiring erosion protection and soil separation to enhance durability and safety.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 10318 – Defines geosynthetic barriers, which are excluded from the scope of EN 13253.
• EN 12226 – Specifies tensile testing methods critical for assessing geotextile strength retention.
• EN ISO 13438 – Details procedures for testing oxidation resistance, relevant for polypropylene and polyethylene geotextiles.
• EN 12447 – Covers methods for testing hydrolysis resistance, particularly important for polyamide-based products.
• EN ISO 3696 – Specifies water quality for analytical laboratory testing, referenced for durability evaluations.

By adhering to EN 13253:2014/FprA1, stakeholders ensure the selection, testing, and implementation of geotextiles that meet European safety, durability, and environmental requirements for effective erosion control in coastal and bank protection works.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2014
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QDG]RUXHUR]LMH]DãþLWDREDOH]DãþLWD]QDVLSRP
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics required for use in erosion
control works (coastal protection, bank revetments)
Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte Eigenschaften für die
Anwendung in Erosionsschutzanlagen (Küstenschutz, Deckwerksbau)
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques requises pour l’utilisation dans les
ouvrages de lutte contre l’érosion (protection côtière et revêtement de berge)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13253:2014/FprA1
ICS:
59.080.70 Geotekstilije Geotextiles
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
FINAL DRAFT
EN 13253:2014
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
FprA1
June 2014
ICS 59.080.70
English Version
Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Characteristics
required for use in erosion control works (coastal protection,
bank revetments)
Géotextiles et produits apparentés - Caractéristiques Geotextilien und geotextilverwandte Produkte - Geforderte
requises pour l'utilisation dans les ouvrages de lutte contre Eigenschaften für die Anwendung in
l'érosion (protection côtière et revêtement de berge) Erosionsschutzanlagen (Küstenschutz, Deckwerksbau)
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 13253:2014. 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 13253:2014/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 13253:2014/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
...