Perspectiva Tecnica

Consideraciones con Respecto al Uso de

geomallas Tenax MS220 and MS330 en
Mejoramiento de la Subrasante y Refuerzo de
Base

© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.

 Technical Overview
Considerations On The Use of
Tenax MS220 and MS330 in
Subgrade Improvement and
Base Reinforcement Applications

© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.

 Apertures of Each Layer
Irregular, Non-Uniform Apertures
Vary from near-rectangular to diamond shape.
Reduce performance (see Table 1).

Large Aperture Size

 Approximately 2”
 “¾" to 1½" probably a good target
range” with most base aggregates
(see Table 1).
 Reduces ability of most base
2”
aggregates to bear against and arch
between strands of a single layer of
plastic netting.
 Wider spacing and lower strength
of strands within a layer decrease
the overall tensile, flexural, and
torsional characteristics of the layer.

Performance characteristics of the single layer of netting control the

performance of the multi - layer configuration - allowable strain is low yet
netting layers do not engage equally.

Preferred Characteristics
Aperture Shape: “Square is Better” than distorted corners.
Aperture Size: Optimize for aggregate size.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Multi-Layer Characteristics
Irregular Openings
 Irregularity of individual plastic netting layers and random offset of
combined netting layers result in opening sizes from 0" to 2".

Netting Stitched Together

 Layers of netting are loosely stitched
together with polypropylene string.
 Layers are not integrally connected.
 Sliding or separation of netting layers
can cause binding, stress
concentrations, and damage to strands
along stitch line.
 Key performance properties are not
additive (see Figures 1 through 3).

Random Geometry Of Layers

Creates sporadic zones of larger than average opening size.
The opening size cannot be selected based on the project-specific aggregate size.

Preferred Characteristics
Engineered geometry is better than irregular geometry.

© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.

 Strike - Through and Interlock
 Interfaces between layers create a sliding plane,
exacerbated by poor strike-through of aggregate.

 Restricted openings interfere

with the strike-through and
interlock of the aggregate.

 Aggregate attempts to bear

against the strands of discrete,
non-connected layers.

 Strike-through of aggregate
varies sporadically over the
View Angle area of coverage as the opening
Shown In Photo size varies.

 Random and highly detrimental voids can form in View From Below
the fill beneath the strands and nodes of the upper Netting Reinforcement
layers of plastic netting.

Preferred Characteristics
Strike-through and interlock are essential to all four
mechanisms of reinforcement by lateral constraint.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
Strand Alignment

Distorted Alignment of
Strands
 Non-linear alignment and relatively
low stiffness of the strands create
slack between each pair of nodes
and over the entire area of the
netting coverage.
 Slack impedes the necessary high
strength at low strain performance.
The displacement required to
straighten strand alignment
decreases the initial tensile modulus
and may exceed the allowable strain
(1 to 2%) in pavement or road
structures.
 Reducing tensile modulus reduces
the effectiveness of the plastic
netting (see Table 1) in providing
any of the four mechanisms of
reinforcement by lateral constraint:
- preventing lateral spreading;
- providing lateral confinement;
- increasing stiffness/improving
vertical stress distribution; and
- reducing shear stress transferred
to the subgrade.
Preferred Characteristics
Rib Stiffness: “Stiffer is Better.”
Modulus: Need high strength at low strain.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Strand and Node Geometry
Rounded,
Irregular-
Shaped
Cross-section
Node and junction
strength vary greatly from
node to node.
 Rounded shape reduces
Flattened and
interlock with the aggregate
Twisted layer being reinforced.

Oblong and
Irregular Strength Limitations
 Individual strands are
Rounded and relatively weak.
 Strength and cross-section
Smaller are highly variable from
Cross-Section strand to strand.
 “Weak link” strands and
uneven loading of layers
increase the likelihood of a
“zipper” failure or domino
effect under tension.
Variable Strand Cross-Section
 Rounded edges on strands reduce interlock and effective transfer of stress from
soil or stone to netting.
 Increasing aggregate or soil slippage against the strands lowers the performance of
the netting for the four basic mechanisms of reinforcement by lateral constraint.
 Strand shape is structurally inefficient for providing stiffness.

Preferred Characteristics
Rib Shape: “Square or rectangular are better
than rounded or curved shapes.”
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Node Integrity
Hollow or Poorly Fused Nodes
 Manufacturing process results in air pockets or seams of weakness
which are structural flaws commonly found in the nodes.
 Hollow nodes are no anomaly in this product; they are listed as a basic
feature in product documentation from the manufacturer.

Weak Seam Reduces

Node Strength
 The “smooth” surface along the
tear is the result of poor fusing
within the node.
 Common imperfections and
irregularities result in up to 40%
variation in node strength - prior
to installation.
 Variations in key properties
would typically be expected to
worsen in-use due to construction
damage.

Preferred Characteristics
Strong, solid, and uniform junctions are
better than weak, hollow, and inconsistent nodes.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
Strand-To-Node Transition
Imperfections In Transitions From Strand To Node
 Imperfection in nodes may extend into the transition zone and into
the strands; note in this photograph the hollow strands which
extended from a hollow node.

 Imperfections and irregularities result in excessive variation in tensile and flexural

properties prior to installation.
 Imperfections greatly reduce survivability in typical construction conditions.
 Survivability through the construction process is essential to maintaining the tensile
and torsional modulus and other plastic netting properties which control
performance.

Preferred Characteristics
A uniform product provides more reliable performance.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Construction Conditions
 Looseness of stitching allows several inches of
separation and sliding between layers.  Separation of netting
layers increases the
vulnerability of the
netting to damage by
construction equipment.

 Multiple layers are not

integrally connected (lack
of junction continuity).

Effects of Typical Construction Environments

 Claimed values of initial tensile modulus could only be realized when all layers engage equally,
but in typical construction, multiple layers will not lie parallel or interlock equally with
aggregate.

Preferred Characteristics
Integral reinforcement is more effective and
suitable for construction conditions.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Concrete Reinforcement Analogy

Engineered Soil
Reinforcement Random Soil
 Using a “stiff”
single-layered
Reinforcement
 Using a multi-
biaxial geogrid.
layered plastic
netting.

Section Showing Section

Optimized Showing
Placement Random
of Reinforcement Placement
of
Reinforcement

Preferred Characteristics
Optimized placement of reinforcement
is key to performance.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
Aperture Rigidity

Low In-Plane Stiffness

 Severely limits the ability of the
netting to provide compaction
reaction or any of the four
mechanisms of lateral
constraint.

Preferred Characteristics
Aperture Rigidity: “Stiffer is Better.”
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Torsional Rigidity
Torsional Stiffness
Each layer exhibits inadequate stiffness.
Multiple layers are not integrally connected.
Single layer controls performance of the multi-layer product.

Secant Aperture Stability Modulus

 Random offset of multiple layers results in highly variable
degree of torsional rigidity throughout - up to 60%.

Preferred Characteristics
Torsional Stiffness: “Shows good potential for
traffic performance relationships.”
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Performance Properties and The Laminated
Beam Analogy
Load

Discrete
, H
Stacked
Layers
Torsional Rigidity Testing of Beam Consisting of
a Multi-Layer Netting Vs. Discrete, Stacked Layers

Load
An
Integr
al H
Layer

Torsional Rigidity Testing of Integral Beam

an Integral Geogrid

In terms of key performance properties such In the analogy of a beam subjected to a

as torsional rigidity, the multi-layer netting bending load, the integral layer provides
of discrete, stacked layers cannot measure up three times the resistance provided by the
to the integral geogrid, even when the multiple three discrete, stacked, non-integral layers
layers are tightly clamped together in a test apparatus. of the same total height.

Preferred Characteristics
Integral geogrid is measurably
superior to multi-layer netting.
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
 Multi-Layer Response To Loading
Figure 1 Netting Layer 1
Netting Layer 2 Figure 3
Netting Layer 3
? Overstated Strength
Calculated, not measured,
based on ideal and simultaneous
Multiple Non-Integral Layers engagement of all layers.
Assumes properties are
completely additive; unrealistic
Figure 2 even for laboratory conditions.
Similar to ultimate tensile strength,
these more important material
Layer 1 Engages

Layer 2 Engages

Layer 3 Engages
Layer 1 Fails

Layer 2 Fails

Layer 3 Fails
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Stress

properties are not additive:

-Tensile strength at 2% and 5% strain;
-Junction strength;
-Flexural stiffness; and
-Torsional stiffness.

Better Approximation
Single layer controls since layer 1
may be overstressed before layer 2
r1

r3
r2
a ye

aye
ye

or layer 3 engages.
La
gL

gL

Still assumes no “weak links” from

g
ttin

ttin
ttin

product imperfections.
Ne

Ne
Ne

Strain

Realistic Response To Loading Cumulative Response

For Multi-Layer Netting For Multi-Layer Netting
© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.
Table 1: Geogrid Properties Affecting Base Reinforcement
Source: Report - DOT/FAA/RD - 92-25, December 1992

Geogrid Item Property Judgment

Rib Thickness Thicker is better.
Rib Stiffness Stiffer is better. Need to test to measure stiffness.
Rib Shape Square or rectangular are better than rounded or curved shapes.
Related to base aggregate size. Optimum size not known.
Aperture Size
¾” to 1 ½” probably good target range.
Aperture Shape Round or square is better.
Aperture Rigidity Stiffer is better.
Need some minimum strength. All geogrids tested were
Junction Strength
adequate.
Need minimum secant modulus value. Optimum not known.
Grid Secant Modulus
Should use that of SS-2 as minimum.*
The “Grid Aperture Stability by In-Plane Rotation” test
developed by Dr. Thomas Kinney shows good potential for traffic
Grid Stability performance relationships. A minimum secant aperture stability
modulus at a specified torque may be a good index test
requirement.

*Note: Report suggests that a secant modulus equal to that of Tensar SS-2 (BX1200) geogrid is appropriate in airfield applications.

© Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc.