Dyke construction refers to the engineering of embankments and hydraulic structures providing temporary flood defence and dam construction refers to permanent water retention. Unstable subsoil, seepage risk and erosion threaten long-term performance. Bentofix® geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), Secugrid® geogrids and Secutex® filter geotextiles deliver proven, norm-compliant solutions for new-build, rehabilitation and reinforcement projects.
Naue products are used wherever permanent flood defence, hydraulic sealing and structural stability are required on challenging subsoil.
New construction and rehabilitation of flood embankments on soft cohesive subsoil
Long-term waterside sealing against seepage loss and internal erosion
Wave-resistant slope protection with BAW-tested filter geotextiles
Reliable waterproofing for inland water retention structures
Cost-effective strengthening of existing dyke and levee structures without full replacement
In hydraulic engineering, product performance under site conditions is as important as calculated design values. Bentofix® GCLs and Secugrid® HS geogrids are designed for demanding installation conditions – including underwater placement, wet soils and restricted working space. Fast unrolling and minimal preparation time support tight construction programmes.
Practical advantages:
Levee/dyke construction requires multiple geosynthetic functions within a single structure. Sealing prevents seepage through the dyke body. Filtration protects the drainage layer of a three-zone levee from fine-particle migration. Reinforcement ensures stability on soft subsoil or increases the bearing capacity of the levee/dyke defence path. Understanding which function is required, and where, is the key to a durable and cost-effective design.
Key principle: Sealing stops seepage. Filtration preserves drainage efficiency. Reinforcement provides stability. Each function is distinct and each must be designed for the specific project conditions.
Product selection depends on the specific function required within the levee/dyke structure. The table below provides a structured decision guide based on the key engineering criteria. Use the digital design tools in the Naue Portal or contact our team for project-specific advice.
| Engineering criterion | Condition/requirement | Recommended product | Key technical basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterside sealing | High hydraulic head; seepage prevention required | Bentofix® GCL | k ≤ 10⁻¹¹ m/s (EN 14150); approx. 10 mm replaces 1 m compacted clay |
| Filtration/drainage protection | Fine-particle migration risk; drainage layer integrity required | Secutex® filter geotextile | BAW TLG 2018 tested; prevents piping between dyke core and drainage layer |
| Basal reinforcement on soft subsoil | CBR < 2 % or peat and organic silt below dyke foundation | Secugrid® HS (High Strength with low creep strain) | High tensile strength at low elongation; immediate load transfer on very soft soils |
| Combined stabilisation and separation | Improving load-bearing capacity and reducing settlement differences of base course layers | Combigrid® (Secugrid® + Secutex®) | Composite product – stabilisation and filter/separation in one installation step |
| Underwater or wet conditions | Underwater installation below water table or in tidal zone | Bentofix® BZ13-B (ballasted) or Secutex® HB sand mat | |
| Slope gradient ≥ 1:2.5 | Steeper levee/dyke slopes with sealing requirement | Bentofix® with both sides nonwoven, Secugrid® geogrids as veneer reinforcement | Nonwoven on both sides increases interface friction angle for steeper slope design. For steeper slopes geogrids can be used as veneer reinforcement |
Permanent flood defence on soft subsoil
Secugrid® HS basal reinforcement enables stable levee/dyke construction on peat and organic silt. Load transfer is immediate. Differential settlement and deformations are reduced. Designs comply with DIN 19712 and BAW engineering guidance.
Bentofix® outperforms compacted clay at lower cost
A 10 mm hydrated Bentofix® layer delivers equivalent or greater hydraulic barrier performance compared to 1 m of compacted clay. This reduces earthworks volume, transport and construction time.
Fast installation – no specialist plant required
Bentofix® and Secutex® are supplied in rolls and installed by unrolling, including underwater positions using sand mat variants. Combigrid® provides two functions in one pass. Minimal equipment is required on site.
Long-term drainage efficiency protected against fine migration
Secutex® filter geotextiles are BAW-tested to TLG 2018 for hydraulic engineering applications. Long-term filter efficiency prevents piping and maintains drainage layer performance throughout the design life.
Geosynthetic dyke construction refers to the use of GCLs, geogrids and geotextiles in flood-defence embankments and hydraulic structures. It is applied wherever sealing, filtration or reinforcement is needed – particularly on soft subsoil, in rehabilitation projects or where conventional mineral solutions are too costly or impractical.
The product depends on the function required. Bentofix® is used for waterside sealing. Secugrid® HS provides reinforcement on soft ground and reduces deformations and differential settlements. Secutex® ensure long-term filtration stability. Combigrid® combines reinforcement and separation in one product. Contact our Naue Engineering and Design Department (EDD) for individual advice
Design follows DIN 19712 for flood-protection workson rivers, BRAD16, , BAW MAG 2021 guidelines, DWA guidelines DWA-M 507-1, DWA-M 512-1 and DWA Sealing systems in levees/dykes in Germany. CIRIA-International Levee Handbook (ILH).
An approx. 10 mm hydrated Bentofix® GCL delivers hydraulic barrier performance comparable to a 1 m compacted clay liner. This reduces earthworks, transport and construction time. For project-specific cost comparison please use our digital design tools in the Naue Portal or contact us via the form below.
Bentofix® is supplied in rolls of 4.85 m × 40 m or with custom lengths produced according to your project requirements. It is unrolled down the slope from the crest. Overlaps of min. 300 mm are required at all joints. The current manufacturer installation guidelines must be followed. For underwater positions, Bentofix® BZ13-B with integral sand ballast allows installation in flowing water.
Bentofix® GCLs are tested and approved according to BAW RPG 2015, Secutex® filter geotextiles are tested and approved according to BAW TLG 2018 for hydraulic engineering applications in Germany. Bentofix® GCLs comply with EN 14196 and relevant product standards.
Yes. In the Oder River levee/dyke reconstruction in Uckermark County (Germany), approx. 63,000 m² of Secugrid® HS was installed as basal reinforcement on peat and organic subsoil. In a separate flood defence project, approx. 64,000 m² of Bentofix® B 4000 BRAD16 was installed on the waterside slope as levee sealing system. Further case studies are available on this page.
Bentofix® GCLs achieve a hydraulic conductivity of k ≤ 10⁻¹¹ m/s when tested per EN 14150. This is equal to or better than the performance of a 1 m layer of well-compacted clay used as a mineral liner in levee/dyke construction. The hydrated thickness of Bentofix® is approximately 10 mm, which is significantly thinner than the mineral alternative, and reduces the required dyke cross-section and associated earthworks.
Yes. The Bentofix® BZ13-B variant is designed for underwater installation. It incorporates integral sand ballast that enables the GCL to sink to the installation position and remain stable during placement. This makes it suitable for rehabilitation of submerged dam, levee or dyke slopes where conventional dry installation is not possible. Specific current velocity limits apply.
The design of geosynthetic systems for dyke construction and hydraulic engineering is based on recognised standards. Our team provides project-specific design support from preliminary sizing to full specification documents.
Naue Bentofix® is a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) for waterproofing in landfill engineering, groundwater protection and hydraulic applications.
Naue Secugrid® HS is a high strength geogrid for soil reinforcement in embankments and load transfer platforms on soft soils.
Naue Secutex® H is a geotextile for separation and filtration in hydraulic engineering, coastal protection and waterway construction.
Naue Combigrid® is a geogrid with integrated nonwoven geotextile that combines stabilisation, reinforcement, separation and filtration in a single installation step.
