Ground Stabilisation

Plant Depot, Abgrid and Terrex - Bredbury, Manchester, UK

Client DCT Civil Engineering
Contractor

DCT Civil Engineering

Consultant ABG Geosynthetics
Product

Abgrid Geogrid

Terrex NW Geotextile

Quantity

8,000m²

Benefits

– No dig solution
– Saved 8,000 tonnes of hardcore
– Commercial saving of £100,000

 

 

Project Description

A piece of land was purchased by DCT Civil Engineering with the intention of constructing a new plant and equipment storage facility. A 6F2 crushed brick hardcore material was available for use as a capping layer and the final surface was to remain unpaved.

The Challenge

The contract manager’s dilemma was in choosing a minimum cost method of stabilisation that could be installed quickly, and be relied upon to stabilise the ground ready for use. A number of methods were considered, these included:

  • Punching some of the crushed brick into the ground to stiffen the in-situ soils;
  • The removal of 2m depth of clay and the importation of clean fill;
  • An engineered geosynthetic solution.

The first option was trialled on site with approximately 500mm of 6F2 punched into the soft ground, but the clay still came through and the formation deformed under the vibrating roller.

The second option was discounted since it was considered to be both time consuming and very expensive due to the high disposal costs of the materials excavated from the site.

The third option required confidence that a relatively thin geosynthetic solution would be strong enough for such weak ground and coarse hardcore.

The Solution

DCT’s contract manager approached ABG, whose technical team reassuringly calculated that a geosynthetic solution would be both technically viable and cost effective. ABG’s calculations showed that a 400mm layer of 6F2 hardcore laid on to Abgrid 30/30 geogrid with Terrex NW9 geotextile underneath, would create a stable surface over a weak 2% CBR ground.

The Terrex NW9 geotextile provided separation to prevent soft in-situ ground from squeezing through the Abgrid geogrid and into the 6F2, a solution recommended for all ground conditions of CBR <3% and saving a further 150mm of 6F2. The geogrid provided strength to enable the 6F2 layer thickness to be reduced by approximately 30%, giving a total saving of 400mm of 6F2 on this project. The Terrex NW9 geotextile and Abgrid 30/30 geogrid were rolled out together, a technique proving significantly cheaper than using a combined geogrid and geotextile all-in-one product.

The ABG Service

ABG provided full technical support, including design and installation advice.

Contact ABG today to discuss your ground stabilisation project specific requirements and discover how ABG’s past experience and innovative products can help.

Additional information