High strength geogrids
What does high-strength geogrids mean?
High-strength geogrids are vital components of most contemporary construction work, especially in the projects that require reinforced soil or stability under load across structures like roadways, retaining walls, and embankments. These grids are specialized materials used to enhance the application of several civil engineering structures including roadways, retaining walls, and embankments.
At Strata Global, we fabricate our geogrids with the use of high tenacity polyester (PET) yarns. This core product provides the main source of strength. These yarns are also coated with a polyethylene tube of extra wide roll widths which tends to resist moisture, chemicals and ultraviolet rays.
What makes high-strength geogrids special?
It’s not only the substance but a cluster of crucial characteristics which makes the high geometric geogrids distinctive from the normal geogrids. These characteristics make it possible for them to support extreme loads without losing their flexibility and durability over time.
- Ultimate tensile strength: Tensile strength denotes the degree of force applied to a geogrid at the point of rupture. High tensile strength is an advantage in soil reinforcement through effective load distribution over a large radius without causing stretch or tearing.
- Aperture size: The grid structure itself, with uniform openings or apertures, allows soil to interlock with the geogrid. This interlocking provides stability and enhances the load-bearing capacity of the ground.
- Junction efficiency: The junctions of a geogrid, which usually connects the ribs of the grid, are very important. Improvements in junction efficiency lead to improvements in the load spreading across the geogrid and shear strength.
- Radial stiffness : Radial stiffness is important when it comes to controlling deformation. It indicates how well the geogrid can retain its shape in the application of forces.
- Elastic modulus: A higher elastic modulus implies that the geogrid can deform and return back to its original form and cannot permanently deform during applied tension.
- Long-term design strength: The long-term design strength is the property of geogrids that minimizes the degradation of performance after years of load bearing.
- Rib strength: The ribs of a geogrid are the transverse and longitudinal bands that are interconnected to form the grid structure. The more robust the ribs, the higher the load they can hold without any permanent distortion.
- Load distribution: Geogrids serve a primary purpose of load distribution across a large area. This minimizes the risk of latent stress points hence soil erosion control or soil collapse.
- Creep resistance: High-strength geogrids are developed in such a way as to eliminate creep, making sure that the normal operation indicators are not affected for prolonged periods, even with a constant operating stress.
- Chemical and UV resistance: High-strength geogrids are exposed to different chemicals and especially to UV radiation in external applications.
- Flexibility and rigidity balance: For any geogrid to be of good use, there must be an equilibrium between flexibility and stiffness. If it’s too stiff, then it can easily break when stressed. Our high-strength geogrids have been manufactured to achieve this important aspect.
Types of geogrids
There are two main types of geogrids, each suited for different applications.
Uniaxial geogrids (StrataGrid™)
These are designed to be strong in one direction. Uniaxial geogrids are ideal for retaining walls, where they provide excellent reinforcement and stability
Biaxial geogrids (SGB)
Biaxial geogrids offer strength in both the vertical and horizontal directions. These are commonly used in applications like roadways and embankments, where stability is needed in more than one direction.
Testing and standards for high-strength geogrids
To make sure a geogrid truly qualifies as high strength , some standards and normative documents are required. For instance, there are standards developed by several organizations, including ASTM, which clearly outline the parameters that make geogrids high-strength.
Most widely performed tests include tensile tests in which geogrids are pulled apart to breakage to determine the tensile strength of the specimen. In pull-out tests, the resistance to geogrids dislodging from the ground is measured, which is particularly important in applications such as retaining walls.
Furthermore, laboratory certifications are issued for geogrids ensuring that these are within the specified properties before field application.
In the field of civil engineering, high strength geogrids offer effective alternatives for soil stabilization and load dispersion. Selecting the appropriate geogrid type such as uniaxial for retaining walls or biaxial for pavement applications is key to enhancing the performance and durability of any project. At Strata Global, our primary focus and priorities are geogrids of this kind, customized for every possible engineering problem.