Determination of root penetration resistance is based on two European standards. These standards have been published by the Turkish Standards Institute in our country with the following titles: ISO and EN standards:

• TS EN 13948 Waterproofing - Flexible sheets - Bitumen, plastic and rubber sheets used in waterproofing of roofs - Determination of resistance to penetration of plant roots
• TSE CEN / TS 14416 Geosynthetic barriers - Test method for determination of resistance to root penetration

For the planning, construction and maintenance of green roofing in accordance with these standards, the resistance of root protection membrane, roof and waterproof cladding sheets and liquid surface treatment materials to root penetration is tested.

According to the management described in the EN 13948 standard, tests are carried out in a climate controlled greenhouse for two years or under normal outdoor conditions for four years. During the tests, the membrane (such as bitumen, plastic and rubber flexible layers, liquid applied kits) is exposed to root penetration in the test containers for two years. Containers are installed in a specially designed modern greenhouse with climate control system.

In recent years, the need for green space has been increasing. The roof gardens built on the roofs of tall buildings against the concretization of the cities meet the need of green spaces to a certain extent. The most important point here is the properties of waterproofing membranes used in gardens on the roof. In addition to the basic performance of waterproofing, these membranes must also be resistant to penetration of plant roots. Therefore, for proper roof application, the root resistance of the membrane to be used must be determined in advance.

In these tests, trees or grass are planted in a container with a membrane layer at the base and then monitored for root penetration. However, it takes a long time to obtain a result with this method. Instead, in advanced laboratories, other test methods are being developed for both users and manufacturers to achieve simple but fast results.

In addition, newly designed geosynthetic textile materials are used in applications where waterproofing is the basic requirement. For example, geosynthetic textile materials are used for waterproofing of roof waterproofing systems, roof greening works, warehouses, waterproof foundations, flooring plates, and insulation of mechanical and electronic rooms, laboratories, kitchens and bathrooms. Geosynthetic textiles are also used as barriers to root penetration and weed infestation. Plant root resistance tests are therefore also applied to such materials. Because plant roots are in direct contact with the barrier system and can easily penetrate into the geosynthetic textile material. This causes a decrease in waterproofing ability. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the barrier system is resistant to root growth by applying the test method described in detail in the aforementioned standards.

Resistance of polymeric, bituminous or clay geosynthetic barriers to root penetration is determined by these tests. To this end, a geosynthetic barrier is placed in the soil into which the lupine seeds are planted and the seeds are expected to germinate under controlled conditions. Approximately eight weeks later, it is examined whether plant roots have entered the geosynthetic barrier. The resistance of a geosynthetic textile material is reliably determined by these tests performed in accredited laboratories.

Our company provides plant root resistance testing services among various other testing services. Thanks to these services, enterprises are able to produce more efficient, high performance and quality products in a safe, fast and uninterrupted manner.

Plant root resistance testing services provided within the scope of other testing services are only one of the services provided by our organization in this respect. Many other testing services are also available.