Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester

Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester

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Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester
  • Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester
Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester
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Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester

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Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF A

The QualiGTX™ IPF A Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester measures the flow rate per unit width and hydraulic transmissivity of geotextiles, geonets, and drainage geocomposites under constant hydraulic head and controlled normal stress. Qualitest designed the IPF A for accredited testing laboratories, geosynthetics manufacturers, and engineering consultancies that require reliable drainage performance data for contractual reporting.

The instrument accommodates specimens measuring 200 × 300 mm and applies normal stress from 10 to 250 kPa through a servo-driven force control system. Water flows along the plane of the specimen while an industrial touchscreen computer manages the testing sequence and automatically generates test reports.

Advanced water conditioning distinguishes the IPF A from conventional transmissivity testing systems. Its dedicated water supply tank maintains temperatures between 5 °C and 60 °C with 0.1 °C resolution, controlling viscosity throughout extended testing programs. An integrated dissolved oxygen analyzer monitors the aeration condition of the supply water, verifying adequate deaeration and helping prevent entrained gas from affecting measurements.

Automatic timing tracks test duration and cumulative water throughput before compiling the results into a report, eliminating manual data transcription. Operators can configure normal stress increments and the hydraulic gradient in advance, allowing the instrument to maintain consistent testing conditions across specimens and shifts. For laboratories conducting shipment acceptance testing of drainage products, the system provides traceable test records alongside quantitative flow measurements.

Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF A Applications

The QualiGTX™ IPF A supports geosynthetic drainage performance evaluation wherever water must travel along the material plane under compressive loading. Its applications extend from material research and product development to manufacturing quality control and construction acceptance testing.

  • Drainage Geocomposite Manufacturing: Evaluates the drainage capacity of geonet cores and bonded geotextile composites under compressive stresses representative of actual service conditions.

  • Landfill Engineering: Assesses leachate collection systems, leak detection layers, and cover drainage materials under overburden pressures corresponding to waste column heights.

  • Geotextile Production Quality Control: Performs batch testing of nonwoven filtration and drainage fabrics to verify that in-plane hydraulic conductivity remains within specified limits.

  • Accredited Testing Laboratories: Provides controlled water temperature, deaeration monitoring, and automated reporting to support conformity assessment requirements.

  • Highway and Railway Drainage Design: Measures the drainage performance of edge drains and separation layers under traffic-related and embankment loading conditions.

  • Retaining Wall and Basement Drainage: Evaluates prefabricated sheet drainage products installed behind structural walls, where hydrostatic pressure relief is an essential design consideration.

  • Dam, Canal, and Reservoir Works: Examines drainage layers used for seepage management and slope protection in hydraulic infrastructure.

  • Tunnel and Underground Waterproofing: Tests drainage sheets designed to channel groundwater infiltration toward designated collection systems.

  • Mining and Heap Leach Pads: Determines the performance of solution collection layers subjected to substantial stack loads and aggressive process fluids.

  • Research and Product Development: Facilitates comparative investigations into core geometry, filament structure, and bonding techniques and their effects on long-term drainage performance.

Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF A Key Features

The QualiGTX™ IPF A integrates automated load application and water flow regulation with advanced conditioning and monitoring functions to deliver consistent results throughout extended testing sequences.

  • Industrial Touchscreen Computer Control: Manages test configuration, load application, timing, and report generation through a centralized operator interface, reducing training requirements and setup errors.

  • Servo-Controlled Normal Force System: Automatically applies and maintains the selected compressive load, keeping specimen stress consistent during extended steady-state flow measurements.

  • Automatic Timing and Throughput Reporting: Records elapsed testing time and cumulative water volume, then generates reports without requiring manual data entry.

  • Thermostatted Water Supply with Tank: Maintains water temperatures from 5 °C to 60 °C with 0.1 °C resolution, helping stabilize water viscosity throughout the testing program.

  • Integrated Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer: Monitors the deaeration condition of the supply water to prevent trapped gas from obstructing flow channels and reducing measured drainage capacity.

  • Motorized Water Level Adjustment: Electrically positions the hydraulic head reservoir to establish the required hydraulic gradient, eliminating manual adjustment and associated positioning errors.

  • Real-Time Pressure and Time Display: Displays applied normal stress and elapsed testing duration, allowing operators to verify steady-state conditions before recording measurements.

  • 200 × 300 mm Specimen Chamber: Provides a standardized specimen area and flow path for repeatable transmissivity measurements across production batches while better representing full-width product drainage geometry.

  • Wide 10 to 250 kPa Stress Range: Accommodates testing conditions ranging from shallow landscape drainage applications to heavily loaded landfill and embankment installations.

Theory and Method

In-plane water flow describes the movement of water parallel to a geosynthetic surface rather than through its thickness. Under laminar flow conditions, volumetric flow rate is proportional to the hydraulic gradient, in accordance with Darcy's law. Hydraulic transmissivity, represented by the symbol theta (θ), is calculated by dividing the flow rate per unit specimen width by the hydraulic gradient. Its unit is square meters per second (m²/s).

Hydraulic transmissivity is also equivalent to in-plane permeability multiplied by the compressed material thickness. Consequently, the thickness retained under loading is directly related to the material's ability to convey water.

Normal stress has a significant influence on drainage performance, in addition to the material's inherent properties. When a drainage core is compressed, its internal void space decreases, while the adjacent geotextile can press into the flow channels. This reduces the cross-sectional area available for water movement. Because this reduction is nonlinear, a drainage product that performs satisfactorily at 20 kPa may not meet requirements at 200 kPa. Testing across the 10 to 250 kPa range establishes a flow capacity curve that design engineers can use to estimate performance under site-specific overburden pressures.

Water quality and conditioning are equally important for measurement accuracy. Dissolved gases can escape from the water inside the specimen, forming bubbles within the drainage channels and obstructing otherwise open flow paths. This interference can produce artificially low transmissivity readings. Water viscosity also changes by approximately 2 to 3% per degree Celsius, meaning uncontrolled temperature variations can cause measurement differences between morning and afternoon testing sessions.

The QualiGTX™ IPF A addresses these measurement challenges through its temperature-regulated water supply tank and integrated dissolved oxygen analyzer. Together, these systems maintain controlled water conditions and verify adequate deaeration before the operator accepts a measurement, supporting reliable and repeatable in-plane flow and hydraulic transmissivity results.

Automatic In-Plane Water Flow Tester - QualiGTX™ IPF A Technical Specifications

Parameter Specification
Specimen Size 200 × 300 mm
Normal Stress Range 10 to 250 kPa
Normal Load Control Servo system, automatic
Hydraulic Gradient 0.1 and 1.0
Head Condition Constant head
Water Level Adjustment Motorized
Water Temperature Range 5 °C to 60 °C
Temperature Resolution 0.1 °C
Dissolved Oxygen Range 0 to 20 mg/L, 0 to 200 %, 0 to 400 hPa
Dissolved Oxygen Accuracy ±1.5 % FS
Dissolved Oxygen Repeatability ±0.5 % FS
Dissolved Oxygen Resolution 0.01 mg/L, 0.1 %, 1 hPa
Control System Industrial touchscreen computer
Data Output Automatic timing, throughput display, report generation
Measured Properties in-plane permeability (hydraulic conductivity)
Overall Dimensions 1270 × 600 × 1500 mm (W × D × H)
Weight 200 kg

Included Configuration

Item Description
Test Frame and Specimen Chamber Floor-standing frame with 200 × 300 mm platen assembly
Servo Normal Load System Automatic application and hold of 10 to 250 kPa normal stress
Industrial Touchscreen Computer Test control, live readout, timing, and report generation
Constant-Temperature Water Tank Regulated supply water from 5 °C to 60 °C at 0.1 °C resolution
Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer Monitors aeration state of supply water to verify deaeration
Motorized Head Reservoir Electric water level positioning for gradient settings of 0.1 and 1.0

Delivery time varies upon stock availability. Our standard dispatch and shipping times are generally within 1 week, however for some high demand items the delivery may be extended to 2-3 weeks. If you require these items urgently please contact us to check accurate stock availability and to organize faster shipping methods.

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Important Delivery Information

Delivery time varies upon stock availability. Our standard dispatch and shipping times are generally within 1 week, however for some high demand items the delivery may be extended to 2-3 weeks.

Need it urgently? Contact us here to check stock and organize faster shipping.

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