What are the types of geogrids and their uses?
Geogrids is a type of geoynthetic materials used in civil engineering to improve stability and reinforce soil. These structures are from of polymers like polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene in the shape of a mesh. It provides strength and improve overall stability. When combined with the proper infill, geogrids reinforce and stabilize with interconnected tensile ribs, by locking with underlying soil or aggregate, confining and distributing loads. Geogrids stabilize soft ground, increase pavement durability, and reduce road thickness while increasing strength. Engineers use geogrids in civil engineering projects for retaining walls, highways, slopes, embankments, remove erosion control, as well as agriculture. Geosynthetic reinforcement is comparable to that of steel or concrete in retaining structures. Although geogrids come with more benefits such as corrosion resistance, flexibility, and ease of installation.
What are the different types of geogrids?
Geogrid materials are designed for civil engineering needs and are available in different types. Most commonly, geogrids are divided into two categories:
- Based on patterns
- Based on manufacturing.
Below are features about geogrids based on their patterns, how they are made, and materials used during their production.
Types of geogrids based on pattern:
Types of geogrids based on pattern:
1. Uniaxial geogrids- Uniaxial geogrids made from high-tenacity polyester yarn are engineered to provide high tensile strength in one direction. Below are features about geogrids based on their patterns, how they are made, and materials used during their production. These geogrids strengthen embankments, retaining walls, and landfill liners built on weak soils or steep slopes.Their directional strength makes them suitable for reinforcing slopes and retaining structures, distributing loads effectively. By boost in soil confinement and structural integrity, uniaxial geogrids contribute to the stability and safety of infrastructure projects.
Available in various strengths, uniaxial geogrids are customized to meet diverse site requirements. StrataGrid uniaxial (SGU) is a high-performance geogrid which is a sustainable soil geosynthetic reinforcement solution.
The main features of this geogrid which make it different from other geogrids are:
- At Strata, we manufacture StrataGrid™ using high-tenacity polyester yarn engineered for long-term structural performance. Its high molecular weight and low creep properties deliver stable soil load transfer and reliable reinforcement even in challenging soil conditions. The HT yarn is made from PET polymer and has varied characteristics such as high molecular weight (>25000 g/ mol), low CEG number less than 30, and low creep.
- A UV- stabilized unique Polymer Modified Bituminous (PMB) coating provides excellent environmental, chemical and mechanical properties.
- Its design minimizes thermal exposure to PET fibres, preventing polymer degradation and ensuring low elongation for optimal performance.
- Available in strengths ranging up to 1000 kN/m and a width of 5.7 m.
- The Strata process ensures superior quality, consistency and dimensional stability.
- StrataGrid is ISO 9001-2008 certified.
2. Biaxial geogrids- Biaxial geogrids like StrataGrid biaxial (SGB) offer high tensile strength in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. This bidirectional strength makes them well-suited for applications where soil load transfer is required in multiple directions. On site, it is used extensively for subgrade reinforcement subgrade reinforcement and pavement rehabilitation
where load distribution in both directions is critical. Biaxial geogrids enhance the structural integrity of the subgrade, help reduce soil erosion, and improve the overall performance and lifespan of pavements and other load-bearing surfaces.
These geogrids are tailored in terms of width, length, and aperture size to meet specific project requirements.
What makes StrataGrid™ biaxial (SGB) unique?
The key features of StrataGrid biaxial (SGB) include:
- Exceptional tensile resistance at lower elongations, surpassing conventional solutions in the market.
- Available in strengths up to 200 kN/m and a maximum width of 5.7 m, providing superior geosynthetic reinforcement for pavement base layers.
- Reduces pavement crust thickness, leading to faster and more efficient construction processes. It strengthens the structure, reduces settlement problems, and helps prevent soil failure. Contributes to sustainability efforts by decreasing the carbon footprint associated with pavement construction.
Types of geogrids based on manufacturing:
1. Extruded geogrids – Extruded geogrids are created by stretching polypropylene and HDPE sheets, producing high strength and stiffness in the elongated direction. Their strength and stiffness based on their thickness, aperture size, and overall geometry of the grid. Geogrids create a strong base layer that distributes weight evenly, reducing stresses and improving load-bearing capacity. Their rigid ribs and thick walls lock aggregate materials, increasing resistance to sliding and movement. Extruded geogrids are available in uniaxial or biaxial forms to meet different design requirements. They are used for railway trackbed stabilization, basal reinforcement of embankments, bridge and railway abutments, retaining walls, reinforced soil slopes, reinforced foundation over piles, and reinforcement of granular road base and sub-base.
2. Woven geogrids – Woven geogrids are produced by weaving high-tenacity polyester or polypropylene yarns into a grid structure, followed by a protective coating into longitudinal and transverse ribs, forming a stable grid structure.
These geogrids have a fabric-like appearance with visible threads running in both horizontal and vertical directions, making them suitable for applications involving soil reinforcement.
They are especially effective in improving subgrade conditions and reducing the quantity of aggregate required in road and railway construction. Woven geogrids are commonly made from polyester or polypropylene and are known for their high tensile strength and low elongation properties. They are widely used in civil engineering projects such as embankments, working platforms, and ground improvement works.
3. Bonded Geogrids – Bonded geogrids as the name suggests is made by joining multiple polymer strands or ribs at right angles using thermal, chemical, or mechanical bonding techniques to form a rigid grid structure. These geogrids consist of extruded or stretched ribs connected at junctions, giving strength in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
They stabilise weak or soft subgrades, such as in roads, railways, and working platforms. By reinforcing the subgrade, bonded geogrids improve soil load transfer and have increased load-bearing capacity, preventing deformation and reducing aggregate thickness.
Understanding different types of geogrids helps with soil stabilization and reinforcement tasks. Each type has its own strong advantage, from woven to knitted. Strata has proven track record when it comes to soil stabilization, earth retention,control projects. With our expertise in manufacturing top-quality geogrids since 2004, we empower you to achieve anything you aspire in your civil engineering projects.