Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester

Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester

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Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester
  • Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester
Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester
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Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester

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Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF C

The QualiGTX™ IPF C Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester determines the hydraulic transmissivity and flow rate per unit width of geotextiles and geotextile-related drainage products. Qualitest provides this testing instrument for geosynthetics manufacturers, civil engineering laboratories, and independent testing facilities that evaluate drainage materials before installation. It secures a 100 × 200 mm specimen between platens, maintains a constant hydraulic head, and measures the volume of water flowing through the material along its plane. The resulting data helps engineers determine drainage layer capacity and make informed design decisions.

A servo-controlled normal force system applies compressive loads from 10 to 250 kPa and maintains the selected pressure throughout the test. Since compression affects the internal structure and drainage performance of geosynthetic products, evaluating flow capacity under different stress conditions is essential. The QualiGTX™ IPF C allows operators to test specimens at multiple pressure levels and develop flow capacity curves instead of relying on a single measurement. Its motorized water level adjustment system also establishes the required hydraulic gradient without manual leveling.

The instrument features a 10-inch color LCD control system that displays applied pressure and elapsed testing time in real time. Operators can manage test configurations, load application, and hydraulic head positioning through one interface, simplifying operation and minimizing parameter setting errors. The IPF C is well suited to laboratories performing routine drainage material evaluations that require consistent, repeatable results across operators with varying experience levels.

Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF C Applications

The QualiGTX™ IPF C supports testing programs that evaluate water movement parallel to the surface of geosynthetic materials rather than through their thickness. Its applications cover product development, manufacturing quality control, and construction material acceptance.

  • Drainage Geocomposite Manufacturing: Evaluates the flow capacity of geonet and geotextile composites under compressive stress conditions representative of their intended service environments.

  • Geotextile Production Quality Control: Performs batch testing of nonwoven filter and drainage fabrics to verify that in-plane hydraulic conductivity meets specified requirements.

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

  • Highway and Railway Subgrade Drainage: Verifies that edge drains and separation layers provide sufficient water removal capacity under traffic-related loading conditions.

  • Retaining Wall and Basement Drainage: Measures the drainage performance of prefabricated sheet drains installed behind structural walls.

  • Hydraulic and Water Conservancy Projects: Qualifies drainage layers used in dams, canals, and reservoir slope protection systems where seepage control is an important design consideration.

  • Tunnel and Underground Structure Waterproofing: Evaluates drainage sheets designed to transport infiltrating groundwater toward designated collection points.

  • Green Roof and Sports Field Construction: Tests drainage mats that prevent water accumulation in root zones and sports playing surfaces.

  • Third-Party Testing Laboratories: Provides a reliable testing platform for contract evaluations, independent verification, and conformity assessment of supplied geosynthetic materials.

  • Research and Product Development: Facilitates comparative investigations into core geometry, filament structure, and composite bonding to assess their effects on long-term water flow performance.

Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester – QualiGTX™ IPF C Key Features

The QualiGTX™ IPF C integrates automated compressive load regulation and an intuitive control interface to maintain consistent testing conditions throughout extended drainage evaluations.

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

  • 10-Inch Color LCD Control System: Displays test configuration, real-time measurements, and operating status on a large, easy-to-read screen for convenient laboratory operation.

  • Real-Time Pressure and Time Display: Simultaneously monitors applied compressive stress and elapsed testing time, helping operators verify steady-state conditions before recording measurements.

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

  • Wide 10 to 250 kPa Stress Range: Accommodates testing conditions ranging from shallow drainage applications to moderate embankment and landfill loading pressures of up to 250 kPa.

  • Dual Hydraulic Gradient Settings: Provides hydraulic gradients of 0.1 and 1.0 to accommodate both low-slope filtration evaluations and steeper drainage configurations.

  • 100 × 200 mm Specimen Chamber: Maintains a standardized specimen flow path length and width, supporting consistent comparisons across operators and production batches.

  • Rigid Floor-Standing Frame: Provides structural stability under maximum normal loading, minimizing frame deflection and ensuring that the applied compressive force is transferred to the specimen.

Theory and Method

In-plane water flow refers to the movement of water parallel to a geosynthetic material's surface rather than through its thickness. Under laminar flow conditions, this behavior follows Darcy's law, which establishes a proportional relationship between volumetric flow rate and the hydraulic gradient driving the water movement. 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. Transmissivity is also equivalent to the product of the material's in-plane permeability and its thickness under applied load, demonstrating the relationship between material thickness and drainage capacity.

Normal stress is another critical factor influencing in-plane flow performance. As compressive pressure increases, pore spaces within the drainage core become smaller, adjacent geotextile layers intrude into the flow channels, and the cross-sectional area available for water movement decreases. This reduction in flow capacity is non-linear. Consequently, a drainage product that performs effectively at 20 kPa may deliver insufficient capacity under a pressure of 200 kPa. Testing specimens across the 10 to 250 kPa loading range generates a flow capacity curve that engineers can use to estimate drainage performance at the actual overburden pressure expected at a project site.

The QualiGTX™ IPF C mechanically replicates these testing conditions. Its servo-controlled loading system applies and maintains the selected normal pressure on the 100 × 200 mm specimen, while the motorized reservoir establishes the upstream hydraulic head required for a gradient of 0.1 or 1.0. Water enters through one edge of the clamped specimen, travels along its designated flow path, and exits through the downstream edge. Once steady-state flow is established, the operator collects the discharged water volume over a measured time interval. The flow rate per unit width and hydraulic transmissivity are then calculated using the measured discharge volume, specimen width, and applied hydraulic gradient.

Compact In-Plane Water Flow Tester - QualiGTX™ IPF C Technical Specifications

Parameter Specification
Specimen Size 100 × 200 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
Control and Display 10-inch color LCD control system
Displayed Parameters Applied pressure, elapsed time
Measured Properties In-plane flow rate per unit width, hydraulic transmissivity, horizontal permeability coefficient
Overall Dimensions 1270 × 600 × 1500 mm (W × D × H)
Weight 150 kg

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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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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