Roads

Weak or variable ground usually presents considerable challenges for subgrade stabilisation. Geofabrics’ subgrade stabilisation solutions include bidim non woven geotextiles to provide separation and filtration between the subgrade and base layers.  

Tensar TriAx geogrids are used to provide effective confinement of granular fill in subgrades. This results in a stiff mechanically stabilised layer, capable of controlling differential settlement, reducing aggregate depths by up to 30%, capping weak deposits and increasing bearing capacity.

In tough times, faced with ever increasing earthworks costs TenCate Mirafi^® RSi Multifunctional Woven Geotextiles are the premier solution for base course reinforcement and subgrade stabilization. TenCate Mirafi^® RSi integrates four performance functions in one superior geotextile: reinforcement, separation, filtration and aggregate confinement. It offers engineers and contractors significant cost savings in earthworks using site-won material and outstanding improvement in road base performance. Its performance has been rigorously tested by independent research institutes, funded by State Highway authorities in the USA.

Increased traffic imposes higher strains within asphalt pavements which fatigues the asphaltic layers, resulting in asphalt cracking and water penetration into the pavement, which leads to further deterioration. Asphalt reinforcement provides fatigue resistance, mitigating subgrade rutting and reducing cracking through improved shear resistance.

Geofabrics offers Tensar AR-G a proven pavement reinforcement technology for retarding cracking and controlling deformation as well as the specialist range of GlasGrid asphalt reinforcement products that can be used in asphalt overlays as thin as 40 mm.

Crack reflection and water penetration are a major cause for concern for road engineers. Geofabrics offers a solution in Sealmac, a geotextile paving fabric that is impregnated with bitumen to act as a stress absorbing membrane under chip seals and asphalt pavements as well as Bitac bandage strips used under asphalt to control crack reflection and seal construction joints.

In thick deposits of soft clay, the time required for consolidation under a surcharge loading may be unacceptably long and foundation instability may be a serious concern. The rate of consolidation of the soft clay foundation layer is a function of its vertical hydraulic conductivity and the vertical depth over which the excess pore water has to flow in order to exit the soft clay foundation. Consolidation may take many years.

Geofabrics offers effective ground improvement solutions for the consolidation of soft soils with TenCate Alidrain® AD prefabricated vertical drains (PVD). By inserting Alidrain® PVDs vertically into soft clay foundation deposits at calculated intervals, the consolidation time can be significantly reduced and the consequent rate of gain in foundation shear strength increased. With proper design, foundation settlement times can be reduced to the extent they occur within the time frame of the construction project, thereby avoiding the need for expensive post-construction maintenance.

Basal reinforcement encompasses embankments over soft soils, on piles and over cavities. Reinforced embankments are essentially constructed to hold back water, carry a roadway, and generally create an elevated area of land. Geosynthetics reinforce the shear stresses of the fill material leading to an increase of the foundation bearing capacity. Geofabrics offers TenCate Mirafi® High Strength PET Geotextiles as a cost effective solution to achieve a greater and quicker stability of embankments constructed on soft foundations. With TenCate Mirafi® PET, steeper side slopes and embankment heights can be optimized over a minimum area. The resistance to outward movement of the embankment will not only allow platforms to achieve greater stability but also surface settlement control.