High as 2,500 meters above sea level, in the heart of mountainous Serbia, we carried out another unusual project. We were invited to cooperate by an installer - the ATARFIL company, which was responsible for the construction of a water reservoir supplying the snow cannons at the Kopaonik ski station. The tank was already there. What was missing was a finish that would combine aesthetics, durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions.
CUSTOMER PROBLEM:
✔ UV exposure: The black geomembrane laid on the slopes was exposed to strong solar radiation at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, which could lead to faster wear and loss of its protective properties.
✔ No permanent slope protection: The steepness of the slopes and the lack of anchoring of the fill material could have resulted in a landslide of the protective layer and, consequently, damage to the geomembrane.
✔ Aesthetic requirements: The reservoir, visible from the ski runs, required an aesthetically pleasing finish that would be consistent with its surroundings and not disrupt the landscape of the ski station.
✔ No maintenance: Due to the difficult terrain and location at 2,500 meters above sea level, the solution had to be completely maintenance-free - requiring no regular maintenance or technical intervention.
SOLUTION:
✅ We used Smartmaxx GEL660100-72TPC geocells: Thanks to the spatial structure, the material effectively stabilizes the gravel fill, creating a durable and resistant surface on the slopes of the tank.
✅ We protected the geomembrane with a 300 gsm geotextile: The puncture-resistant geotextile provides a separation layer between the geomembrane and the fill material, protecting the tank from mechanical damage.
✅ We reinforced the structure with 30/30 kN/m PET geonets: The polyester anchoring mesh increased the system's adhesion to the ground, preventing the entire structure from moving on steep slopes.
✅ We chose gravel as fill: The natural, heavy-duty material provides aesthetics and weather resistance - with no maintenance required, even in harsh mountain conditions.
Want to learn more about how our solution performed 2500 meters above sea level?
Keep reading to learn more about this realization!
Who was the customer?
The client of the project was Kopaonik ski station - the largest winter resort in Serbia, located at an altitude of 2,500 m. TECHNOALPIN, SPA, an international leader in snowmaking systems, was responsible for the implementation, and the installation of the geomembrane system was carried out by an experienced installer - ATARFIL.
They were looking for a technology that required no maintenance, could withstand extreme weather conditions and could be used in demanding mountainous terrain. With this defined challenge, the installer approached the team Geo Globe Poland.
What problem did the customer face?
Extreme environmental conditions in high mountain terrain
The water reservoir was located at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, in an area exposed to intense sunlight, strong UV radiation, wind and extreme temperatures. The client needed a solution that would not only protect the existing geomembrane, but also withstand these factors for many years - without maintenance or repair.
Lack of aesthetically pleasing and stable tank finish
Previous work performed left the reservoir functional but visually unfinished - especially on the slopes. The client wanted a finish that would not only protect the slopes, but also improve the aesthetic value of the reservoir visible from the surrounding ski station infrastructure.
Risk of damage to HDPE geomembrane
The black geomembrane covering the slopes was vulnerable to mechanical damage during backfilling and further operation. The high-slope reservoir offered no opportunity for ongoing monitoring or repairs - once applied, the solution had to be durable and reliable.
Need for quick installation and permanent stabilization
Due to limited implementation time and difficult site conditions (reservoir in the mountains, demanding logistics), it was necessary to implement a solution that could be installed efficiently and without risk of material displacement or landslides - including using locally available gravel as fill.
Solution designed by Geo Globe Poland
The task set before the Geo Globe Poland team was multidimensional. The client expected a solution that would not only protect the geomembrane from degradation under the influence of strong UV radiation, but also ensure durability and aesthetics on the slopes of a reservoir located in difficult, high mountainous terrain.
We have proposed a system based on a cellular geo-grid Smartmaxx GEL660100-72TPC - a solution that combines durability, weather resistance and the possibility of installation without subsequent maintenance. The latter was key: the tank is located at an altitude of as much as 2,500 meters above sea level, making ongoing maintenance almost impossible.
In order to ensure effective protection of the HDPE geomembrane from mechanical damage, we laid a layer of cellular geonet on a 300 g/m² geotextile. In addition, the entire system was reinforced with a 30/30 kN/m PET polyester geogrid, which acted as an anchor on steep slopes.
The whole was filled with gravel, which requires no care or maintenance - an ideal solution for high mountain environments. The end result is a durable, stable covering with high utility and aesthetic qualities, which at the same time extends the life of the geomembrane used and fits in with the investor's design goals.
The end result - what did the customer gain?
Thanks to the solution designed by Geo Globe Poland, the client received a stable, durable and maintenance-free protection of the slopes of the water reservoir feeding the snow cannons at the Kopaonik ski station. The high-mountain location (2,500 meters above sea level) and extreme weather conditions made the reliability and resilience of the entire system crucial.
Durability without servicing
The use of gravel as infill and high-quality Smartmaxx cellular geonet, combined with a layer of geotextile and polyester geonet, created a stable and self-functioning structure that requires no periodic maintenance - a huge advantage in mountainous terrain.
Extended life of geomembrane
The slope coating effectively protects the black geomembrane from UV radiation, limiting its degradation over time and thus prolonging its functionality even in such demanding conditions.
Aesthetics and consistency with the environment
The stable placement of the gravel in a geocellular system has given the reservoir a more natural, neat appearance - without the artificial effect that could disrupt the landscape of a mountain ski station.
Securely anchor and protect the structure
The solution was designed with full protection of the geomembrane - the geotextile used protects it from punctures, and the geo-grid ensures that the entire system is properly anchored on the slopes of the tank.
Implementation tailored to extreme conditions
The final result met all the investor's expectations - the structure is weatherproof, requires no maintenance supervision, and at the same time meets the design and aesthetic needs of such a prestigious facility as Kopaonik.
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