Trenching Excavation & Construction with Tensar Geogrid
by Bryan Gee, P.E., on December 04, 2018
Tensar geogrids are routinely excavated through and punched through in order to place guardrail posts, bridge piers, and underground utilities.
The patented process used to manufacture Tensar geogrids results in a structure with full strength junctions and stiff ribs. This process includes stretching the material, which pre-stresses the geogrid, ultimately optimizing its strength properties. The resulting stiffness allows Tensar geogrids to easily shear when subjected to the excavation equipment typically used in trenching operations. This results in a “clean” cut and will not unravel into the zone outside the trench cut. The same may not be possible for “flexible” woven and non-woven geotextiles and flexible geogrids.
Tensar TriAx Geogrids provide aggregate stabilization by transferring the loads from the unbound aggregate into the stiff geogrid. The inherent features of Tensar geogrids such as improved stiffness and confinement, in effect form a bridge within the pavement structure to help mitigate the differential settlement around the trench cut. Since the geogrid works through interlock, and not tension membrane, excavation through the geogrid does not ruin its benefit.
Check out our Trench Repair FAQs sheet for more detailed information.
Did you know our staff is also able to offer knowledgeable site assistance to help evaluate conditions and provide design assistance - at no cost to you? We have assisted contractors and engineers on thousands of projects and have the expertise, research and engineering to help provide cost and time savings to your projects.