1803.01.

IG

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www.concretecanvas.com
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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

Concrete Canvas® is part of a revolutionary new class of construction

materials called Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats
(GCCMs).

It is a flexible, concrete impregnated fabric that hardens on hydration

to form a thin, durable, water proof and fire resistant concrete layer.

Essentially, it can be described as ‘concrete on a roll’ and is used for

a wide variety of applications including the rapid lining of drainage
channels, providing slope protection, weed suppression, culvert
repair and general concrete remediation.

1.2 Scope

• This document provides guidance procedures for the installation of CC as slope protection in a manner that
maximises safety, efficiency, and the physical integrity of the material and channel.

• This document provides useful information for installers, customers and specifiers of Concrete Canvas® GCCM
(CC) and provides an overview of installation techniques for the lining of channels.

• The versatile nature of CC means that this document is not exhaustive and is intended for guidance purposes only.
Exceptions to this guideline may be required to address site-specific and/or product-specific conditions.

• The performance of the CC is wholly dependent on the quality of its installation. It is the installer’s responsibility to
adhere to these guidelines where applicable and to the project specification and drawings.

CC Slope Protection, Highway A24, Peso da Régua, Portugal

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018
 ®

2.0 Specification and Installation Essentials

2.1 Specifying the correct CC Thickness

CC is available in 3 thicknesses, CC5TM (5mm), CC8TM (8mm) and CC13TM (13mm).

• CC5TM is the standard thickness used for slope protection and is suitable for the majority of applications where
surface water flow is from direct rainfall only.
• CC8TM should be considered for applications where the slope will be taking additional water run-off, for
example on spillways and outfalls and the flow rate is below 8.6m/s.
• CC13TM should be considered where flow rates are above 8.6m/s or where the CC might be prone to
impacts from debris or a high level of abrasion.

CC Type Thickness Roll Width Dry Weight Batched Roll Batched Roll Bulk Roll Bulk Roll
(mm) (m) (kg/sqm) Coverage (sqm) Length (m) Coverage (sqm) Length (m)
CC5TM 5 1.0 7 10 10 200 200
CC8TM 8 1.1 12 5 4.55 125 114
CC13TM 13 1.1 19 N/A N/A 80 73

2.2 Specifying the correct CC Roll Format

CC is available in Bulk Rolls or as smaller Batched Rolls.

• Bulk Rolls offer the quickest installation but must be

deployed using heavy lifting equipment and a spreader
beam. Bulk Rolls are generally more efficient to use than
Batched Rolls, in terms of material use and transportation.

• For sites where this isn’t suitable, man portable Batched CC Bulk Rolls and Batch Rolls
Rolls can be installed without the need for plant and are
well suited to smaller scale works in restricted access
areas.

• CC is now also available in Wide Rolls of up to 4 times the

standard roll width. Contact Concrete Canvas for further
details.

2.3 Which layup?

Longitudinal layup
Standard practice is to lay CC vertically down the length of
the slope (longitudinal) as this provides the fastest method
of installation and allows each roll to be securely fixed at the
crest of the slope. If a transverse layup is used, care should be
taken to position the overlap in the direction of water flow (like
shingled roof tiles) and hydraulic shear force loads should be
considered when selecting the jointing method..

Transverse layup

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018
 ®

Concrete Canvas® is part of a revolutionary new class of construction materials called Geosynthetic Cementitious
Composite Mats (GCCMs). It is a flexible, concrete impregnated fabric that hardens on hydration to form a thin, durable,
water proof and fire resistant concrete layer. Essentially, it’s concrete on a roll. Concrete Canvas® GCCM (CC) can be
used to provide a hard wearing erosion control surface for rapidly protecting slopes, outfalls, spillways and over-
toppings. CC is typically used as an alternative to conventional concrete, such as shotcrete, and where vegetated
slopes are unsuitable due to the high flow rates, arid climate or poor soil conditions.
The following guide provides useful information for installers, customers and specifiers of CC as an overview of
installation techniques for protecting slopes with CC. It should be used together with the other relevant guides such
as the CC User Guide: Jointing & Fixing. The versatile nature of CC means that this document is not exhaustive and
is intended for guidance purposes only.
Here are some key questions that you may need to consider before specifying or purchasing CC:
2.4 Is the application Slope Protection or Slope Stabilisation?

Deep slip caused by

Surface slip ground water or
caused by rainfall vibrations

Slope Protection Slope Stabilisation

Slope Protection describes applications where the body Slope Stabilisation describes applications where the
of the slope is geotechnically stable but the surface of the body of the slope is geotechnically unstable and is at risk
slope is prone to erosion from weathering and surface slip. of deep slip (a large mass of the slope collapsing). This
Typically this might be on a sandstone rock face such as may be caused by ground-water lubricating the soil or
in the CC Case Study: Alcobendas Tunnel Station. Or on from other factors such as ground vibration. Conventional
slopes constructed from a mixture of rock and soil, where solutions include shotcrete, steel mesh and soil nails
rainfall causes loss of fines which then risks destabilising which are used to stabilise the slope by providing structural
the slope, such as in the CC Cundinamarca Slope case reinforcement. CC can substitute for the shotcrete
study. component for many projects but must be included as
part of a solution designed by a geotechnical engineer. A
good example is the CC Case Study: Karapiro Gully.

CC Slope Protection project, Alcobendas Tunnel Station, Spain CC Slope Protection and Stabilisation project, Karapiro Gully, New Zealand

This guide focuses on slope protection, although a lot of the same techniques can be applied to slope stabilisation.

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2017
 ®

2.5 Which fixing method? Crest fixing using pegs and an anchor trench

CC should be securely fixed and anchor trenched at

the crest of the slope. The anchor trench is essential
in order to prevent water flow below the material which Face profiling using pegs
may undermine the CC. Additional fixings should be
used down the face for profiling or additional support as
required.
The following provides examples of suitable fixings for
different substrates. For full details of jointing and fixing Toe trench
methods please see the CC User Guide: Jointing & Fixing.

To Soil: CC can be fixed to a soil substrate using pegs, an anchor trench, soil nails or ground anchors. The most
common method of securing CC at the crest is using a combination of pegs and an anchor trench. Peg length and
spacing should be determined based on the pull-out force requirement (e.g. self weight, water flow etc.), however
typical spacing is at every joint along the crest. It is essential to prevent water ingress between the CC and the substrate
at the crest as this can lead to undermining. An effective means of sealing this top edge is by burying the exposed
CC in an anchor trench backfilled with concrete or site fill material. An anchor trench also provides a neat aesthetic
transition to the surrounding landscape.

CC fixed at the crest of a slope with ground pegs and anchor trench Concrete anchor trench constructed over CC at the crest of a slope

To Concrete: CC can be fixed to a concrete substrate (such as a headwall) using conventional masonry fixings such
as self tapping masonry bolts, wedge anchors and “Hilti” type nails. We recommend a fixing with a minimum shank
diameter of 3mm and minimum washer/head diameter of 16mm or a clamping bar to prevent pull-through.

6MM BEAD
CONCRETE
CLEARFIX
HEADWALL

HILTI X-C47
WITH 30MM WASHER 50mm

CONCRETE CANVAS LAYER

SOIL SUBSTRATE
CC fixed at crest of slope with concrete anchor bolts Diagram of typical fixing to concrete headwall using Hilti nail

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018
 ®
100mm

To Rock: CC can be secured onto rocky substrates using rock bolts; the number and type of fixings should be selected
based on the pull-out force requirement. A suitable head design should be selected to prevent stress concentrations.
A minimum head diameter of 15mm is normally recommended and plates up to 150mm are often used. Large anchor
plates should be circular where possible or have radiused corners to avoid stress concentrations.

100mm
Double bead of sealant

8mm Ø bead approx 10-15mm

from edge of CC

8mm Ø bead
approx 10-15mm
from edge of CC

100mm

Rock bolt and large anchor plate with radiused corners CC fixed to slope using rock bolt

2.6 Which jointing method?

A suitable jointing method should be selected based on the loading and water impermeability requirements of
Adhesive Sealant
the project. The standard method of jointing for slope protection is to use a screwed joint which provides
(8mm Øabead)
good
mechanical bond and sufficient impermeability for most slope protection applications. We recommend using stainless
steel screws inserted at 200mm centres along the overlap. The screws should be positioned between 30-50mm from
the edge of the joint and applied prior to hydration or immediately afterward. The concrete within CC will then set
around the thread of the screws. Please see the CC User Guide: Jointing & Fixing for more jointing methods.

30-50mm

200mm
Machine Edge
20
Machine
Edge

100mm
Screwed Overlap Joint

Machine
Edge Screw inserted through
Thermal Bonded
Overlap Joint
sealant bead

Jointing adjacent layers of CC using stainless steel screws Diagram showing screw inserted through sealant bead

If a higher level of impermeability is required (for example on an outfall) then a bead of sealant such as Clearfix can
100mm
Screwed
be applied in the overlap prior to screwing. If screws are not suitable (for example if laying
= Thermal Bond area
Overlap
on a geomembrane) then aJoi
double bead of adhesive sealant such as Clearfix or a thermally bonded joint may be used.

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018
 ®

3.0 Four Key Installation Principles of CC - Please refer to Hydration Guide

4.0 Installation Methodology

4.1 Equipment Required

• Sufficient CC to complete project

• Safety mask and gloves
• Cutting equipment, snap off knife or disc cutter
• Metal or plastic fixing pins
• Lump Hammer
• Screwdriver and stainless screws or alternative method
to join the CC layers
• Water supply

See CC Equipment List for full details. Dust hazard. Wear

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appropriate PPE. Consult CC SDS document.

4.2 Ground Preparation

CC will conform closely to the underlying surface contours

of the slope. For slopes with a high degree of surface
undulation it is recommended to grade the slope if
possible, to reduce voids from forming between CC and
the substrate. Where it is not possible to grade the slope,
voids can be reduced by profiling with suitable fixings. For
the best results it is also recommended that loose soil,
vegetation, soft ground and protruding rocks are removed.

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4.3 Fixing and Laying CC

The fastest and easiest method of laying CC is using bulk

rolls hung from a spreader beam. If access for heavy lift
plant equipment is limited, batched rolls may be used. The
procedure for laying bulk and batched rolls is the same.

When laying the CC ensure that the fibrous surface of the

CC is facing upwards and the PVC membrane is in contact
with the ground. For longitudinal (vertical orientation) layup
the CC should first be secured at the crest of the slope,

4
using one of the methods described above, and then
unrolled down the length of the slope.

4.4 Positioning and Profiling CC

When positioning subsequent CC rolls, ensure that there

is at least a 100mm overlap between layers and that all
overlaps are in the direction of water flow (primarily for
transverse layups). CC may need to fixed down the face
of the slope for profiling or to provide additional support.
It is preferable to locate fixings along the overlaps where
possible, hydrating under the overlap first.

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018
 ®

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4.5 Hydrating CC

Once positioned, CC should be hydrated by spraying with

water (sea water may be used). Spray the fibre surface
with water until it feels wet to touch for several minutes
after spraying. An excess of water should be used as
CC cannot be over hydrated (minimum ratio of water: CC
is 1:2 by weight). Re-spray the CC again after 1 hour if
installing CC5TM, installing on steep slopes or installing in
warm climates. It is important to ensure that overlapped
and anchor trenched sections are hydrated. Refer to the
CC User Guide: Hydration, for instructions on the correct

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hydration procedure. Please note that you should not rely
on rainfall to hydrate the material.

4.6 Jointing CC

The fastest and easiest method of jointing is using stainless

steel screws at 200mm spacing. These can be applied
using an auto-fed collated screw driver. If a screwed joint
is not appropriate, for example where a higher level of
impermeability is required, thermal bonding or an adhesive
sealant joint can be used. Please refer to the CC User
Guide: Jointing & Fixing.

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4.7 Setting

Once hydrated, CC remains workable for approximately 1-2

hours in a UK climate. In warm climates, working time may
be reduced. CC will harden to 80% of its 28 day strength in
24 hours and is ready for use.

4.8 Maintenance

In the right conditions, CC will naturally ‘green’ over time

with moss and blend in with the environment. The surface
can also be painted with a suitable masonry paint if required.

®
+44 (0) 345 680 1908 [email protected] www www.concretecanvas.com
The information contained herein is offered free of charge and is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. However, since the circumstances and conditions in which such information and the products discussed therein can be used may vary and are beyond our control, we make no warranty, express
© Concrete Canvas Ltd. 2018