Geogrids. Woven Geotextiles. Geocomposites

Reinforcment

To improve the soil mechanical properties, geosynthetics are used in reinforcement either under or between the individual soil layers. Woven geotextiles, geogrids and combination grids / nonwoven geotextiles are in use. They are suitable, e. g., for reinforcing embankments or for stabilizing earth dams on subsoil with poor load-bearing capacity. This eliminates the need for complex expensive constructions, soil replacements or additional soil layers resp. load-bearing layers.

Woven geotextile

Woven geotextiles consist of yarns of various types crossing at right angles, e. g. multifilaments or foil tapes. The quality differs depending on the yarn, the type of weave, the number of threads per unit length and any additional strengthening of the crossing points.

Geogrids

Geogrids are similar in nature to woven geotextiles, although they should have mesh sizes of more than 10 mm in order to insure interlocking with the bulk material. Stretching in one direction (uniaxial) or in both directions (biaxial) pre-stretches the polymer material. The decisive characteristic value for the reinforcement product is the appropriate tensile strength including tensile strength/elongation ratio with regard to the given static requirements.

Geocomposites

Geocomposites, geogrids for reinforcement with laminated nonwoven, combine the advantages, properties and functions of the both in one single product. This achieves optimum separation between the soft subgrade and the base layers above it. This leads to an increase in the load-bearing capacity of the entire structure.

Typical applications on soft grounds and/or for earth works with poorly bearing soils /subgrade materials can be:

  • Stabilizing of slopes: improvement of friction behaviour of soil on new build slopes / dams + stabilization of the slope base
  • Avoidance and reduction of rutting due to construction site traffic on unpaved gravel roads.
  • Saving of base course gravel, thus reduction of base course thickness with less excavation
  • Subsoil reinforcement of the base for dams on soft subsoil
  • Any trafficked areas like e. g. construction, service and forest roads, parking lots, bike path on soft, wet subsoil
  • In “classified” road construction for load capacity improvement of base course layers
  • In rail construction for dam reinforcement