High demands are placed on the fill opening of a dewatering tube. TenCate Geosynthetics has taken up this challenge.

A product is only as strong as its weakest point. In the case of dewatering tubes, this applies in particular to the fill openings, since in conventional manufacturing the opening is a round cut through the fabric which essentially weakens it. Under the TenCate Geotube® brand, TenCate Geosynthetics has developed an innovative solution that does not damage the fabric structure. Thus it increases safety and generates ecological and economic benefits. 

Geotube® with EyePort® opening before filling.
TenCate Geotube® system with TenCate Geotube® EyePort opening before filling.

An eye on safety

The fill opening is the most critical point of a dewatering tube. The system is made of a relatively thin geotextile that must hold tons of wet material in a reliable manner. The better a textile can absorb the forces generated during filling, the lower the risk of a rupture. 

With this traditional manufacturing method, the fill opening interrupts the woven structure of the material, reducing the strength at the location of the fill opening. This leads to an overall reduction in the safety factor and in the maximum filling volume. In addition, tilting the hydraulic fill pipe which leads into the system creates tension, which can damage the port and the system.

EyePort: What is behind this?

TenCate Geosynthetics is committed to making its dewatering solutions increasingly safe, cost-effective and sustainable. The TenCate EyePort fill opening is the fruit of this practical and continuous development work. 

Unlike flange-reinforced tube openings, the patented TenCate EyePort fill funnel is a soft, stitched structure that is gentle on the surrounding fabric and allows a higher filling rate. The hydraulic fill pipe can enter the tube horizontally, reducing the tilting tension and eliminating additional material stress. The TenCate EyePort fill opening has a self-closing mechanism. The patented system has been thoroughly tested and has proven its reliability in the field. 

With TenCate EyePort® the hydraulic filling tube enters the tube without any tilting tension.
The hydraulic fill pipe enters the system without any tilting tension.

Advantages at a glance

Increasing safety was a key driver behind the development of the TenCate EyePort fill opening. If a dewatering system were to rupture, the contents, weighing several tons, would be released uncontrollably, putting people and materials at risk. Due to the innovative construction of the EyePort fill opening, the fabric structure remains intact and the tube retains its full resistance. This makes TenCate Geotube® systems with the TenCate EyePort fill opening more than twice as safe as systems with traditional openings at a comparable filling height. 

The EyePort fill opening combines safety and cost efficiency. The increased maximum filling height allows an average of 30% more volume per linear meter to be realized, with the same safety factor. As a result, fewer systems are required compared to conventional solutions. The accompanying expenses such as transport, installation and disposal costs are reduced. 

In addition, the EyePort fill opening simplifies handling for customers. The lighter systems are more convenient to handle thanks to their continuous, soft structure, and the self-closing opening reduces the manual labor required. 

TenCate Geosynthetics is committed to the sustainability and eco-friendliness of its products, including the TenCate EyePort fill opening. Due to the smaller footprint of the filled systems, less intervention in the natural environment is required. Due to the soft material, systems with TenCate EyePort openings can also be packed and transported in a way which saves more on space. This is an argument which contributes to the reduction of transport-related CO2 emissions. 

Gerben van den Berg, Business Development Manager Environmental Remediation EMEA

With the TenCate EyePort fill opening, TenCate Geotube® dewatering systems are even safer and more efficient. Although a system of the same size can hold more cubic meters of material, there is less tension within the fabric.

Gerben van den Berg, Business Development Manager Environmental Remediation EMEA

Innovation straight from the field

Although TenCate Geosynthetics has been pioneering dewatering applications for more than 50 years, its experts continuously strive to further enhance its products. After all, innovations are only possible with a practice-oriented approach for holistic dewatering solutions in close co-operation with customers. 

Stay up to date

Would you like to stay informed about the latest innovations and product developments from TenCate Geosynthetics? 
Sign up for our newsletter now. We look forward to keeping you up to date.

Content provided by:
Gerben van den Berg, Business Development Manager Environmental Remediation EMEA