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ANY REPRODUCTION, INCLUDING PHOTOCOPY, FILM AND MICROFILM, IS FORBIDDEN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE.

BVQI Certified Quality System Company with


SINCERT's and UKAS' s accreditation.

Officine Maccaferri S.p.A.


Via Agresti, 6 - P.O. Box 396
40123 Bologna - Italia
Tel. +39 051 6436000
Fax +39 051 236507
e-mail: comes@maccaferri.com
www.maccaferri.com
2 0 0 6 O f f i c i n e M a c c a f e r r i S . p . A . - B o l o g n a - I t a l y - P r i n t : S AT E - P r o j e c t : g r a f i c am o n t i . c o m - P h o t o : A r c h i v i o O f f i c i n e M a c c a f e r r i

Soil Reinforcement Geosynthetics


P

ParaLink

ParaLink is suitable for structural applications where a long term design life
(50-120 years typically depending on the different existing regulations) is required.

ParaLink geogrids are planar structure consisting of a monoaxial array


of composite geosynthetics strips.
Each single longitudinal strip has a core of high modulus, low creep
polyester yarn tendons encased in a tough, durable polyethylene sheath.
The single strips are connected by low strength cross laid polyethylene
elements which give a grid like shape to the composite. ParaLink has
superior unidirectional strength and is available as a custom-made
product in a range of strengths as between 100 kN/m ultimate up to
1350 kN/m.
Bidirectional strength can be obtained by installing two ParaLink layers
at right angles to each other.

Typical applications are:

Reinforcement of embankements over soft soils.


Reinforcement of embankments constructed over areas prone to
subsidence; if subsidence occurs then the ParaLink bridges across the
void (so formed) thus maintaining support for the embankement.
Reinforcement of the foundation of piled embankments; ParaLink assists
in the transfer of the embankment loadings directly onto the piles so
that the foundation soil supports a negligible load improving the stability
and reducing settlements.
Steep slope construction as main reinforcement in combination with

ParaGrid

ParaGrid is suitable for structural applications where a long term design life
(50-120 years typically depending on the different existing regulations) is
required.

ParaGrid geogrids are planar structures consisting of a biaxial array


of composite geosynthetic strips.
The strips comprise a core of high modulus, low creep polyester
yarn tendons encased in a tough, durable polyethylene sheath.
ParaGrid has good bidirectional strengths and is available in strength
from 30 kN/m to 200 kN/m in the main direction (longitudinal) and
from 5 to 100 kN/m in the secondary direction.

ParaDrain
ParaDrain has a unique combination of reinforcement and drainage.
They are manufactured using a proven technology of the ParaGrid
reinforcing products in combination with heat-bonded nonwoven
continuous filament geotextiles as filters.
The reinforcing function is provided by high tenacity polyester yarns
enacsed in a durable sheath of polyethylene which is profiled to provide
a drainage channel. The nonwoven geotextile acts as a filter to allow
pore water to escape into the drainage channel from the soil mass in
which the product is placed. ParaDrain has good bidirectional strength
and is available in strength from 50 kN/m to 200 kN/m in the main
direction (longitudinal) and 5 or 15 kN/m in the secondary direction.

02

ParaLink

terms of tensile strength, extension, modulus etc.


Th e p o l y m e r i c s h e a t h p r o v i d e s a p h y s i c a l a n d c h e m i c a l
barrier to external environments which pose a threat to
p r o d u c t p e r f o r m a n c e a n d d u r a b i l i t y. C o r e a n d s h e a t h
materials are chosen to suit specific customer requirements.

Terramesh units or ParaGrid.

Typical applications are:

Reinforcement of the fill of steep slopes; ParaGrid steep slopes can be built
using different types of facings according to the Contractors preference.
Reinforcement of the fill in segmental block walls; ParaGrid can be used
in combination with any type of block.
Reinforcement of low embankments on soft soils to limit and manage
differential settlements.
Reinforcement in soil veneer applications; ParaGrid is typically used as
reinforcement to stabilize soil layers on sliding sloped surfaces (e.g. Landfill
cappings are the most typical application)

ParaDrain is for use in traditional geogrids applications (as ParaGrid)


but in conditions in which the soil to be reinforced has particularly
poor drainage properties. Such soils inclu d e t h o s e wit h a h ig h f i n es
content whose shear strength and reinforcement bond characteristics
a re adv er sely affect e d by the pr es e nce of wate r.
B y p r o v i d i n g a r e g u l a r a r ra y o f p o s i t i v e d ra i n a g e Pa ra D ra i n a l l o w s
wa t e r, t ra p p e d i n t h e s o i l t o b e r e i n f o r c e d t o ra p i d l y d i s s i p a t e t h u s
enabling it to gain early strength and improve its bond with the
reinforcement thereby stabilising the soil mass quickly and effectively.
ParaDrain enables the use of marginal filling materials which would be
otherwise removed from the site and replaced with high quality soil.
Pa ra D ra i n i s s u i t a b l e f o r s t r u c t u ra l a p p l i c a t i o n s w h e r e a l o n g t e r m
design life (50-120 years typically depending on the different existing
r e g u l a t i o n s ) i s r e q u i r e d ; i t s t y p i c a l l y u s e d f o r t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t o f
st eep fill sl opes.

03

ParaGrid

Th e b a s i c t e c h n o l o g y o f Pa r a p r o d u c t s i s t h e e x t r u s i o n o f
polymeric materials around high tenacity polyester or aramid
textile cores. The resulting composite products have a flat
webbing configuration (strip). The textile type and content
determines the physical characteristics of the products in

ParaDrain

Products Range

Soil Reinforcement: Concepts


So ils su it ab le fo r re i nf o rci ng

D e si gn l oa d
where Tnominal is the nominal breaking
load corresponding to the short term tensile
strength; Fcreep is the safety factor due to
the creep behaviour at the fixed design life
and Fm is the safety factor depending on
the product itself and from the construction
and e nvir onme nta l e ffect s.

Th e m a x i m u m d e s i g n l o a d ( T d e s i g n ) , t h a t t h e
reinforcement can be relied to deliver at the
end of the design life and at a design
t e m p e ra t u r e, c a n b e c a l c u l a t e d f r o m t h e
for mul a:

All soils develop tensile strain during shear deformation,


consequently the reinforcement can develop tensile forces
when placed in any soil, provided the reinforcement is
i n an ap p r o p r i at e o r i en t at io n .
It fo l l o ws t h en t h at al l so i ls may b e r e in f o r c e d .
However it requires much less reinforcement to stabilise

T de sig n = T nom inal


f cree p x f m

g o o d q u a l i t y g r a n u l a r s o i l s t h a n m i x e d o r c l a y s o i l s.
Th i s i s t h e r e a s o n w h y c o m p a c t g r a n u l a r s o i l s a r e t h e
standard construction material for reinforced soil
applications and the significant opportunity which
o p e n s u p b y t h e u s e o f t h e Pa ra D ra i n ra n g e t o r e i n f o r c e

fm = fm1 x fm2

c o h e s i v e s o i l s.

Behaviour of geosynthetic
reinforcements under long term loads
Th e r e a r e f o u r m a i n r e q u i r e m e n t f o r g e o s y n t h e t i c
r ei n fo r c em en t m at er i al s:

Streng th

S ti f f ne s s

- In i t i al st r en g t h ( n o m i n al b r e ak in g lo ad )
- Reduction of initial strength due to installation damage

- Initial elongation compatible with the serviceability


r e q u ir e me n t s me n t s o f t h e r e in fo r c e d so il st r u c t ur e

- Adjustment of initial strength due to the creep


b eh av i o u r o f t h e r ei n f o r c e me n t

- Effects of installation damage on the elongation


b e h avio u r o f t h e p r o d u c t

- Effect of temperature on the short and long term tensile


p r o p er t i es

- Effect of creep on the long term elongation properties


- E f f e c t o f t e m p e ra t u r e o n t h e s h o r t a n d l o n g t e r m
t e n sile p r o p e r t ie s

factors related to the intrinsic


properties of the material

factors concerned with construction


and enviromental effects

fm1= fm1 1 x fm1 2

fm2= fm21 x fm22

fm1 1

fm1 2

fm21

fm22

consistency of manufacture
production process

extrapolation
of test data

installation
damages

fm11 = fm111 x fm112

fm12 = fm1 21 x fm122

fm21 = fm2 11 x fm212

environmental aggression of
the soil where reinforcement is
placed (basic, ph, etc..)

fm1 11

fm112

fm121

fm122

fm211

fm212

emply or not of
appropriate audites
quality controls

geometrical
tollerances on
reinforcement

confidence in the
evaluation of the
statistic parameters

estrapolation of
statistic parameters
for lon g term values

short term effects


of installation
damages

long term effects


of installation
damages

Durab l i ty
- Effec t o f u l t ra- v i o l et l i g h t

B ond

- Effec t o f ox i d at i o n o n p o ly o le f in s ( P P an d P E)

- De p e n d in g o n so il t y p e

a c c o rd i n g t o B S8 0 0 6

- Effec t o f h y d r o l y si s o n p o ly e st e r

tn n

04

t3
t2
t1
t0

4
Strain

For most polymeric materials, ambient


temperatures coincide with , or are close to, their
v i s c o - e l a s t i c p h a s e. Th u s c r e e p b e c o m e s a
s i g n i f i c a n t c o n s i d e ra t i o n i n a s s e s s i n g t h e l o n g
t e r m prope rt ie s of t he re infor cem ent .
The stress/strain /time characteristics (at constant
temperature) of reinforcement geosynthetics can
be visualised in terms of a three-dimensional
body with stress, strain and time comprising the
t h r e e a x e s. B y p r o j e c t i n g t h i s b o d y i n t o e a c h o f
the three planes we obtain the information
r e quir ed t o de ve lop t he corr ect de sign.

3
2
1
0

S t re

05

ss

Tim

Pr o d u c t main properties

Product certifications

Creep b ehav i o ur

R e s i s ta nce to i ns ta l l a ti on da m a ge

Pa raL in k BBA ce r t if ica t ion s

Creep is the increase in elongation of a material under


a costant applied load; this performance is influenced
b y t em p erat u r e.
The long-term preformance of a geosynthetic is highly
d ep en d en t o n i t s c r eep b eh avio u r.
O v e r a s e r v i c e l i f e o f 1 0 0 - 1 2 0 y e a r s Pa ra p r o d u c t s c a n
sustain over 64% ot their initial strength; compared
with polyolephine reinforcements (polypropylene or
polyethylene geogrids or fabrics) of identical nominal
st r en g t h t h ey c an r esi st 5 0 % mo r e lo ad .

Th e h i g h t e n a c i t y p o l y e s t e r f i b r e s o f t h e Pa ra p r o d u c t s
a r e p r o t e c t e d b y a t h o u g h a n d d u ra b l e p o l y e t h y l e n e
coating that prevents the load carrying yarns from
b e in g d amag e d d u r in g t h e in st allat io n .
Pa r a p r o d u c t s a r e r e s i l i e n t t o t h e d e s t r u c t i v e f o r c e s
encountered during installation with negligible loss in
s t r e n g t h . I n c o n t ra s t , f a b r i c s u s e d f o r r e i n f o r c e m e n t
can lose up to 60% of their ultimate strength during
c o n s t r u c t i o n b e c a u s e o f t h e i r v u l n e ra b l e u n p r o t e c t e d
st r u c t u r e.

Agrement Certificate No 03/4065 relates to the ParaLink


geocomposite products, for use as basal reinforcement
under highway embankments constructed on or over
- soft foundat ion soils
- pil ed founda ti ons
- ar eas prone to subside nce.

40

60 Years
120 Years

1 Year
5 Years

1 Day

1 Hour

% of initial ultimate tensile strength

Roads and Bridges Agreement Certificate No 98/R098


relates to ParaGrid geocomposites for use as reinforcement
in embankments with slope angles up to 70.
Agreement Certificate No 03/4032 relates to the
a n c h o r v e r t i c a l wa l l s y s t e m f o r Pa ra G r i d r e i n f o r c e d
soil r et ai ning wal ls.

C E m ar k in g
Pa r a p r o d u c t s r a n g e c o n f o r m s t o t h e C o n s t r u c t i o n
Products Directive - Council Directive 89/106/EEC as
reinforcement material - R - according to EN13249,
EN13250, EN13251, EN13253, EN13255, EN13257,
EN 13265.

100

60 Years
120 Years

1 Year
5 Years

1 Day

1 Week
1 Month

1 Hour

Th e p o l y e t h y l e n e o u t e r c o a t i n g o f t h e Pa r a p r o d u c t
materials provides the best protection from chemical
at t ac k.
Whilst the polyester core is highly resistant to chemical
degradation, the outer coating provides added security
such that the geogrid will continue to perform
throughout the design life in the most adverse
conditions associated with waste materials and brown
fi el d si t es.

1 Week
1 Month

Pro d uc t d urab i l i ty

Pa raG r i d B BA c er t i fi c at i o n s

90
80
70
Polyester used
in reinforcement

60
50

High density
polyathylene

40
30

Polypropylene

20
10
0

Polypropylene

10

Log time (sec)

35

Elongation (%)

30

High density
polyathylene

Load to rupture behaviour of polymers at 20C

25
20
100

15
10

90

% retained strength

Polyester used
in reinforcement

0
0

10

Log time (sec)

Elongation of polymers at 20C at 30% of


nominal breaking load

Extruded polypropylene grids

80

ParaGrid
Woven geogrids

70
Geotextilex
60

60

120

Maximum size of fill material (mm)

Retained strength following installation

06

07

Steep Slopes
Slope construction using
Paraproducts
There are various methods available for slope construction
u si n g Parap r o d u c t s.
The type of facing used is largely dependent on Contractor
p r efer en c e an d d esi r ed aest h e t ic s o f t h e slo p e.
Standard wrap around
The method can be used with larger vertical
spacings between geogrid reinforcement layers
resulting in a slight curvature at the slope
face.
This produces a more natural looking slope
w i t h i n c r e a s e d va r i a t i o n i n t e r m s o f l i g h t ,
shade, and moisture conditions.

Permanent shuttering
A permanent shutter at the front face provide
an increase in the rate of construction with
an even front face.
This form of construction is ideally suitable
where the designer wishes to achieve a grass
finish with minimum variation across.

Soil bag technique

Shallow slope

The front face of the structure may be cnstructed using


open net soil bags filled with suitable pre-seeded topsoil.
This allows exact placement of bags at the front space
resulting in the to shape the slope wih an high degree
of accurancy.

C o s t be ne fi t s

E n vi ro n m e n ta l be ne fit s

R e i n f o r c e d s o i l s t r u c t u r e s p r o v i d e a p ra c t i c a l s o l u t i o n
for steep slope construction without incurring the
additional cost associated with a conventional retaining
wall. A reinforced steep slope will typically be less than
hal f t he cost of a conv ent iona l r et ai ning wal l

Paraproduct solutions reduce the demand on non-renewable


materials used to construct reinforced concrete structures.

Pa ra D ra i n r e i n f o r c e m e n t e n a b l e s t h e u s e o f m a r g i n a l
soils improving the typical saving of a soil reinforced
s t r u c t u r e a n d m a ke s t h i s s o l u t i o n f e a s i b l e w i t h a n y
loca ll y ava ila ble fil li ng.
Para-Mesh solution
The ideal solution designed by Maccaferri which
j o i n s t h e a d va n t a g e s o f t h e c o m b i n e d u s e o f
Paraproducts with the steel Terramesh units.
Pa ra p r o d u c t m a t e r i a l s p r o v i d e t h e n e c e s s a r y
strength to guarantee the overall stability of the
structure while performed Terramesh units act as
secondary reinforcement and permanent shuttering
maximising the speed of construction.
The system is recommended for high structures.

Reinforced slopes less than 45 degrees may be designed


without the wrap around detail or a permanent shuttering
system. In such cases a three dimensional erosion mat
(like MAC MAT) can be installed at the front face at the
time of the final top soiling operation to resist surface
erosion and to promote the growth of the vegetation.

F u r t h e r m o r e, g r e e n f a c e d s l o p e s m i n i m i s e t h e v i s u a l
impact on our environment and provide habitat for our
fa una a nd flora.

Traditional
Retaining
Wall

Reinforced Soil Slope

Traditional
Shallow
Slope

50%Reduction in Cost
Improved Appearance
Kinder to the
Environment

Improved
Noise
Reduction

Traditional
Shallow
Slope

Ter ram es h Green or

Parap ro d u c ts rei n fo rc em en t

Sy s t em uni t s act i ng as

ac ti n g as p ri m ari rei n fo rc em en t;

s econdar y rei nforcem ent

typ i c al l y ParaL i n k m ateri al s o r

and permanent shuttering

ParaGri d s-ParaDrai n wi th ten si l e

Reinforced Slope

stren g th o ver 150 kN/ m

Increased
Developable Land

Improved
Noise
Reduction

Reinforced Slope
Increased Land
for Development
or Reduced Land Take

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09

Basal reinforced embankments on soft


foundations are short term reinforcement
applications with a limited effect of creep.
Th e v e r y h i g h s t r e n g t h a n d t h e l o w
r e d u c t i o n f a c t o r s m a ke Pa ra L i n k i d e a l
for use as a reinforcement in such
ap p l i c at i o n s.

Maccaferri software for design

Construction period
T,
Shear strength of
foundation supports
embankment

Load applied to reinforcement

Basal Reinforcement

Time

Load applied to reinforcement


T

E i t h e r i n t h e c a s e o f c o n s t r u c t i o n o v e r a re a s p ro n e t o
subsidence or in combination with piled
foundations are being long term reinforcement
ap p l i c at i o n s d esi g n ed .
I n b o t h c a s e s t h e Pa r a L i n k r e i n f o r c e m e n t m u s t
g u a ra n t e e l o n g t e r m s t r u c t u ra l b e h a v i o u r a n d
fi t t h e d esi g n r eq u i r em en t s.
ParaLink materials have been used in such
applications since the 80s and there is a
large data base of succesfully applications
demonstrating the efficency and high
va l u e p e r f o r m a n c e o f Pa ra L i n k
geogrids; ParaLink is BBA certified
for use as basal reinforment in
important structures as
h i g h way em b an km en t s.

Load applied to reinforcement


T

Basal reinforced embankments on soft foundation soils

To assist the designers Maccaferri developed a range


of customised software dedicated to soil
reinforcement applications.
Fo r e a c h b a s a l r e i n f o r c e m e n t a p p l i c a t i o n s o f t wa r e
has been developed which enables - according
t o t h e d e s i g n criteria detailed in technician 8 of
BS 8006 - the definition of the appropriate type of
ParaLink needed in the foundation of the
embankment.
Much more complex and sophisticated is the software
M AC. S T. A . R . S. w h i c h e n a b l e s a l a r g e n u m b e r o f
stability analysis using different types of
reinforcement (metallics like Terramesh and synthetics
like ParaGrid and ParaLink) in combination with any
type of soils and surrounding conditions.
This software has been fully validated by full scale
tests and is actually one of the most powerful sofware
for stability analysis available on the market.

Construction period
T,

Time
Basal reinforced piled embankments

Construction period
T,

Void formation
No void maintenance performed

Void maintenance performed

Time
Basal reinforced embankments spanning voids

Qu ality As su ran ce & Research


an d D evelop men t
Extensives computer controlled test are carried out
to determine the essential properties of the polyester
yarns prior to manufacture. On line quality controls
and post-manufacture testing ensures that the
material properties fall within tight manufacturing
tolerances. Extensive research and development has
b e e n u n d e r t a ke n b y d i f f e r e n t l a b o r a t o r i e s a n d
Universities all over the world to asses the
performances of the different Paraproducts.
D e t a i l e d s t u d i e s o n t h e Pa ra D ra i n d ra i n i n g
performances with Engish China Clay by the University
of Newcastle who designed the specific apparatus
to measure the rate of pore water dissipation and
t h e p u l l o u t r e s i s t a n c e o f Pa ra D ra i n u n d e r va r i o u s
conditions.

Co st b enefits
Reinforced soil foundations provide a practical
solution for reinforcement under embankments
o n so ft so i l s.
Th e f i r s t s a v i n g i s i n t i m e b e c a u s e r e d u c i n g
construction time can give substantial cost
b en efi t s.
The use in combination with piles reduces the
cost of the concrete part of the solution and
enables embankments to be constructed to
an y h ei g h t at an u n r est r ic t e d rat e.

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