Basal

Reinforcement
Constructing embankments
over weak ground
 Tensar. The value
2 engineered
solution
In Tensar youll find a partner
with the experience and
flexibility to respond to your
project requirements. From
design to completion, well make
sure you always benefit from a
practical, cost-effective solution
to your specific need.

Constructing embankments over weak ground

Construction of embankments over weak
ground is common to many projects.
Tensar geogrids can be used to avoid the
use of more traditional methods, which
involve excavation and subsequent
replacement of these soft soils.
In other projects, the controlled
settlement of a structure may be an
option. Again, Tensar products lead the
way in providing basal reinforcement
solutions to maintain structural integrity
during these critical phases.
Some projects require negligible
settlements or there may not be
sufficient time to allow for long-term
settlement. In these projects, reference
should be made to the complete range
of Tensar literature and in particular
Foundations Over Piles. This provides
information about using load transfer
platforms and load distribution rafts to
avoid the delay required for
consolidation settlement as a result of
placing embankment fill over soft,
compressible soils.

Tensar Biaxial Geogrids

Site access is usually the first problem
encountered when construction is to
take place over weak soils. Tensar biaxial
geogrids provide solutions for site access
on a daily basis in most parts of the
world.

THE BENEFITS:

Difficult access conditions. Tensar Biaxial Geogrids will allow

uninterrupted access over most types
of soft and variable soil

Enables the construction of a stable

and safe working area

Reference should be made to the

complete range of Tensar literature
and in particular Ground Stabilisation
Reinforcing unbound layers in roads Tensar stabilised construction platform.

and trafficked areas.

 Tensar Basetex high-strength knitted geotextiles
Basetex high-strength geotextiles are The Basetex products have an advantage
used to reinforce the base of when compared with woven fabrics. The
embankments to intercept failure load-bearing yarns are laid across one
Basetex
surfaces which may extend into a low- another and then stitch bonded. This
Soft ground strength foundation soil. Basetex means that the yarns:
geotextiles can also be used to reduce or
avoid staged construction periods. Remain linear so that they are able to
reach their full tensile strength
Manufactured using a weft-insertion without the initial elongation
process, the Basetex range possesses associated with woven yarns
quality-control strength up to 1200kN/m
(longitudinal direction) and 500kN/m This then enables:
(transverse direction). The load-bearing
Immediate soil to fabric load transfer
yarns are 100% high-tenacity polyester
and provide excellent creep performance
and high tensile modulus.

The high molecular weight of the

polyester yarn ensures that the products
are highly resistant to environmental
damage within the range of normal pH
and temperatures encountered in soils.
Tensar Basetex Structure.

Placement of fill on Basetex.

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Reinforcing the base of a marine bund for reclamation (UK).

Spanning of voids with Basetex

Tensar Basetex can be installed in single THE BENEFITS OF BASETEX INCLUDE:
or multi-layers to suit embankment
design and construction. Allows rapid construction

Basetex
The high short-term strengths and Avoids or accelerates staged
factored long-term strengths of Basetex construction
Potential voids
fabrics allow the product to span
Avoids excavation and replacement
subterranean voids in areas prone to
subsidence. This ensures long-term void Reduces loss of fill into weak
Spanning of voids. spanning and the control of weak foundations
ground, which has the potential to
collapse with catastrophic effects. Enables safe spanning of voids

Allows pile spacing to be increased,

pile caps decreased and raking piles
eliminated in piled embankments

Basetex strips being cut to design length.

Tensar International Support Services

Tensar Internationals experienced
engineers are available to provide clients,
consultants and contractors with design
and construction support. Designs are
carried out using sophisticated software
developed in-house.

The services offered range from a free of

charge application suggestion to a full
design and supply service with
Geocell slipline. Basetex. professional indemnity cover. No liability
in negligence or responsibility of any
kind is accepted by Tensar International
for any project where Tensar products
are not used.

The Tensar Geocell - controlling
differential settlement
Tensar Geocell has been used successfully
in applications since its introduction in
1983. A continuous open cellular
structure, the Tensar Geocell is typically
1m thick, comprising Tensar uniaxial and
biaxial geogrids. It is rapidly assembled
and once filled with drainage material,
the geocell acts as a stiff platform that
initially provides construction access and,
Foundation over landfill to control differential
settlement.
ultimately, a stiffened foundation for the
embankment itself.
Weak Soil
Plastic failure condition
Firm stratum
Stabilisation of motorway embankment over waste deposits and soft silt.
Proven application of Tensar Geocell over 9 years (UK).
The Tensar geocell intersects potential
failure planes and its rigidity forces them
deeper into firm strata. The critical
failure mechanism then becomes that of
plastic failure of the soft layer. The rough
interface at the base of a Tensar geocell
ensures mobilisation of the maximum
shear capacity of the foundation soil and
significantly increases stability.
Differential settlement and lateral spread
are also minimised.
Tensar
geocell
6

Geocell installation (Germany).

The benefits of Tensar Geocell

Allows rapid construction
Allows safe access for operatives and
machinery
Controls differential settlement
The rough underside of a geocell.
Avoids excavation and replacement of
the soft soil
Prevents loss of drainage fill into the
weak foundation
Can be used in conjunction with
vertical band drains
Avoids potential damage to pipelines
caused by sub-soil movements
Tensar Geocells are often specified when
the thickness of the soft layer is shallow
when compared with the embankment
width. Design methods have been
developed for the Tensar Geocell and are
available, together with a detailed
installation procedure, on request.

Typical Tensar Uniaxial Geogrid Specifications

(As used in Tensar Geocell)

Tensar Uniaxial Geogrids - typical dimensions (mm)

AL AT BWT FWL tB tF

55RE 235 16 16 6.0 2.5-2.7 0.9

80RE 235 16 16 6.0 3.4-3.7 1.3

SR80 160 16 16 6.4 3.6-3.9 1.4

Tensar Uniaxial Geogrid physical characteristics(1)

QC strength Approx peak Tensile creep Weight per Minimum carbon Roll
(kN/m)(2) strain rupture strength unit area black content dimensions
(%) (kN/m)(3) (kg/m2) (%)(4) (m)

55RE 64.5 11.5 28.7 0.42 2 50 x 1.0

80RE 88.0 11.5 38.2 0.60 2 50 x 1.0

SR80 81.5 11.2 31.6 0.74 2 30 x 1.0

(1) All grids are manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE).
(2) Determined in accordance with BS EN ISO 10319:1996 and as a lower 95% confidence limit in accordance with ISO 2602:1980 (BS 2846:Part 2:1981).
(3) These figures are as stated in BBA certificate 99/R109 for RE grids and in BBA certificate 99/R108 for SR grids. Assuming an expected design life of 120 years and
an in-soil temperature of 10C.
(4) Carbon black inhibits attack by UV light. Determined in accordance with BS 2782:Part 4:Method 452B:1993.

Roll
Length
(Longitudinal)

Roll
Width
(Transverse)
 Tensar SS Geogrid Specifications
(As used in Tensar Geocell)

SS30 and SSLA30 typical dimensions (mm)

AL AT WLR WTR tJ tLR tTR

SS30 39 39 2.3 2.8 5.0 2.2 1.3

SSLA30 65 65 4.0 4.0 7.0 1.7 1.5

SS30 and SSLA30 physical characteristics

QC Strength (kN/m)(1) Polymer(2) Minimum Weight Roll Roll

Ultimate at 2% strain at 5% strain carbon per unit length width
black (kg/m2) (m) (m)
Transverse Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal content(3)

SS30 30 30 10.5 10.5 21 21 PP 2 0.33 50 3.8 or 4.0

SSLA30 30 30 12 11 25 22 PP 2 0.33 50 3.8

(1) Determined in accordance with BS EN ISO 10319:1996 and as a lower 95% confidence limit in accordance with ISO 2602:1980 (BS 2846:Part 2:1981).
(2) Polypropylene.
(3) Carbon black inhibits attack by UV light. Determined in accordance with BS 2782:Part 4:Method 452B:1993.

Roll Width
Roll Length (Transverse)
(Longitudinal)
tJ tTR
Ribs

tLR

Junctions AL WLR AT

WTR

Tensar Basetex Geotextile Specifications

Basetex Knitted Geotextiles physical characteristics
Tensile strength Approx Creep-limited Polymer Weight per Roll Roll
(kN/m)(1) longitudinal strength for area unit length width
strain at Tult(1) 120 years (kg/m2) (m) (m)

Longitudinal Transverse (%) (kN/m)(2)

200/50 200 50 10 127 polyester 0.48 100 4.0 or 4.4

400/50 400 50 10 254 polyester 0.80 100 4.0 or 4.4

600/50 600 50 10 380 polyester 1.13 100 4.0 or 4.4

800/100 800 100 10 507 polyester 1.60 100 4.0 or 4.4

1000/100 1000 100 10 634 polyester 1.90 100 4.0 or 4.4

(1) Determined as a minimum mean value in accordance with BS EN ISO 10319:1996.

(2) Determined as a lower bound using standard extrapolation techniques to creep rupture data obtained following the test procedure in BS EN ISO 13431:1999 extended to
120 year design life using the Stepped Isochronous Method. All tests carried out on samples of Basetex finished product.

Bundles of PET Fibres Roll Length (Longitudinal)

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Contact Tensar International or your local distributor to receive further
literature covering Tensar products and applications.
Also available on request are product specifications, installation guides
and specification notes.
The complete range of Tensar literature consists of:
Tensar Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering A guide to the products
and their applications
Ground Stabilisation Reinforcing unbound layers
in roads and trafficked areas
Steep Slopes Constructing embankments
with steep slopes
Retaining Walls Constructing retaining walls in reinforced soil
Foundations over Piles Constructing over weak ground
without settlement
Basal Reinforcement Constructing embankments over
weak ground
Railways Reinforcing ballast under railway track
Asphalt Pavements Reinforcing asphalt layers
in roads and trafficked areas
Erosion Controlling erosion on soil and rock slopes

Your local distributor is:

Tensar International Limited Tel: +44 (0)1254 262431

New Wellington Street Fax: +44 (0)1254 266868
Blackburn BB2 4PJ E-mail: info@tensar.co.uk
United Kingdom www.tensar-international.com

Tensar geogrids are manufactured under tightly controlled

conditions. The quality assurance procedures covering design and
application and the manufacturing process have been certified by
the British Standards Institution as a Registered Firm in
accordance with BS EN ISO 9001:1994
Q05288

Tensar is a registered trade mark.

Copyright Tensar International Limited

Printed March 2003 Issue 4, 79010038

The information provided verbally, or in this document or as a Free Application

Suggestion is of an illustrative nature and is supplied without charge. It does not form
any contract or intended contract with the user. No liability in negligence will arise from
the construction of any project based on such information or material. Final
determination of the suitability of any information or material for the use contemplated
and the manner of use is the sole responsibility of the user and the user must assume all
risk and liability in connection therewith.