Introduction
Multi-Flow drainage systems serve exceptionally well in a wide variety
of civil projects. It is used beneficially in landfill sites, mine
and leach pile settings, desaturation projects, rail lines, railroad
yards, storage lagoons, earthen dams, and in decontamination processes.
Multi-Flow
provides a very efficient means for removing excess water from saturated
soils. Whether the goal is to collect contaminated water in order
to protect the ground water or surrounding streams or if it is to
collect scarce water for use in recreation or irrigation, Multi-Flow
offers unique advantages. Multi-Flow is well suited for these applications
due to its compressive strength and resistance to almost all known
chemicals and corrosives.
In
some instances, Multi-Flow is utilized to vent gases such as those
that might accumulate under a pond liner causing whale backing. More
frequently, another Varicore product, Hazvent is used for that purpose.
Reasons
for using Multi-Flow in a civil drainage project
Whether it is for new construction or addressing an existing problem,
Multi-Flow is a wise choice because of it's:
1)
effectiveness
2) convenience
3) durability
4) affordability
1.
Effectiveness – Civil drainage systems must be able
to collect water and transport water. Multi-Flow excels in both
regards:
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Water
collection – Water can enter a Multi-Flow
drain more readily because Multi-Flow has greater surface
area than traditional round pipe. The more drainage product
that there is in contact with surrounding saturated soil,
the more quickly drainage can take place. 12-inch Multi-Flow
has twice the surface area, and consequently twice the effectiveness,
of a 4-inch round pipe. |
 |
Water
transport – Once water has entered Multi-Flow
flow channels, it moves away from the saturated area quickly
because the channels are round and unobstructed, unlike those
in other panel shaped drains. |
2.
Convenience – At least three factors make Multi-Flow
a product that engineers find easy to design with and contractors
prefer to install.
|
Shape
– Because of its panel shape, Multi-Flow can be inserted
vertically. This means that a trench can be dug with a chain
trencher, a rockwheel, or in some cases a narrow bucket. The
result is less excavated material to haul away, less backfill
to haul in, less time spent, and of course, less expense.
When it is installed horizontally, trenching can be eliminated
altogether and the low profile keeps the drainage line out
of reach of maintenance equipment. |
| Connectors
– Not only are Multi-Flow connectors easy to use, there
are a lot of them. Any configuration that is appropriate for
a given site can be carried out using one or more of the 60
Multi-Flow connectors. |
 |
Flexibility
– Multi-Flow is easily bent making it convenient to
work with, suitable for making tight turns, and easily joined
to connectors. |
3.
Durability
 |
Strength
– Multi-Flow is designed to withstand heavy loads. Able
to withstand loads well in excess of 6,000 psf, Multi-Flow
is not going to collapse due to heavy surface loads in shallow
installations or due to earth weight in deep installations. |
 |
Longevity–
The Multi-Flow system includes a heavy effective geotextile
filter. This high quality fabric acts as an excellent secondary
filter, keeping Multi-Flow’s flow channels clean and
open. Clean coarse sand acts as a very effective primary filter.
Due to its shape, Multi-Flow is easily encased in sand, assuring
a long life. When placed in a 4 inch wide trench or laid horizontally
and covered with a band of sand, Multi-Flow is readily protected
in this way. |
4.
Affordability – A completed Multi-Flow system typically
costs about 
half as much as a comparable French drain system. Add to
that its longer life and Multi-Flow begins to look very attractive!
Comparing vertical and horizontal installations
If a trench is needed, vertical is the orientation of choice. A 4 inch wide trench is ideal.
Multi-Flow can be installed horizontally where construction requires
the top soil to be stripped away. In these cases, Multi-Flow is rolled
out horizontally and the time and cost of trenching can be by-passed.
Examples of this profile might be in landfill sites or under leach
piles.
Sample Projects - Civil
