Volume 3: Ground Investigation and

Improvement

3.1: Part 2 Geosynthetic Soil

Reinforcement
(Section 31 34 19)
Relating to:

Construction, Completion and

Maintenance for Infrastructure
Works of Emirati Neighbourhood,
Abu Dhabi Capital District

Package 3
Tender ref. P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

Document reference: 722229/9.2.1/461107

<Page intentionally left blank>
Construction, Completion and Maintenance for Infrastructure Works of Emirati Neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi Capital
District
Tender ref.P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

SECTION 31 34 19

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement

Part 1 GENERAL

1.01 GENERAL

A Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcements are required beneath the Boulevards, residential roads
and service corridors in Package 2A in the high risk areas.

B The ground conditions in the area of Package 2A comprise gravely silty sand fill imported to
the site some years ago and loose/soft underlying natural silty sand, sandy silt and gravely
silty sand which is interpreted to be variously marine sand with some gravel, sabkha soils
and possibly aeolian sand. The ground will be subject to ground improvement and
compaction prior to the construction of the Boulevards, residential roads and service
corridors. The underlying bedrock comprises gypsum and mudstone which has locally
passed into solution forming cavities some of which may be infilled with sand that are
relatively close to the surface.

C Groundwater is on average between 1.0m and 1.7m below the road formation level and
therefore the road construction may in some locations be affected by capillary rise.

D In order to mitigate the effects of cavity collapse, the roads in the high risk areas (Zones B
and D on Drawing ADCD-DC-002-003-RP-6010, Rev. 01) incorporate a 400mm thick coarse
granular layer strengthened with 2 layers of Geogrid and a Geotextile Separator wrap. The
roads in the area of high capillary rise (Zone C on Drawing ADCD-DC-002-003-RP-6010,
Rev. 01) incorporate a 250mm thick coarse granular capillary break layer wrapped in a
Geotextile Separator and have additional subsurface drainage.

E For the residential roads in low risk areas (Zone A) the possible effect of collapse of cavities
in the bedrock and the resultant subsidence of the road pavement is considered to be an
acceptable risk and any damage occurring post construction being repaired as part of the
routine maintenance of such roads.

F A Biaxial Geogrid such as Tensar SS40 or an equivalent strength Triaxial Geogrid together
with a Geotextile Separator is required to form the strengthened granular layer below the
road basecourse. The Geotextile Separator shall encapsulate the strengthened granular
layer or capillary break layer as shown on the Tender Pavement Drawings. The design of
the strengthened layer shall ensure that the layer is capable of forming a bridge across a
cavity of up to 2m diameter at rochkead. The purpose of the reinforced layer is to reduce the
severity of any depression that may form in the overlying pavement and or service corridors
as a result of cavity collapse and to mitigate against damage to road traffic and the installed
services.

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement May 2013

Section 31 34 19 Page 1 of 5
Construction, Completion and Maintenance for Infrastructure Works of Emirati Neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi Capital
District
Tender ref.P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

G The requirements for Geogrids within the strengthened layer as part of the road construction
are detailed in the Roads Particular Specification 31 32 19.13.

1.02 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The following documents are supplied and should be read in conjunction with this Specification:

Project Specific

Mouchel (2012) Geotechnical Interpretative Report for Capital District Package 3, Rev 04
May 2012. An interpretation is provided for information but the Contractor shall not rely on
this. He shall make his own interpretation.

Mouchel (2012) Geotechnical Interpretative Report for Capital District Package 2A Rev 02
May 2012. An interpretation is provided for information but the Contractor shall not rely on
this. He shall make his own interpretation.

Mouchel (2013) Pavement Design Report Rev.04

Roads Particular Specifications 31 32 19 13

1.03 STANDARDS

ADM Roadway Design Manual Part 2

AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures (1993).

EN ISO 10319: 2008 Geosynthetics, Wide-width Tensile Test, BSI, London

EN ISO 12236: 2006 Geosynthetics, Static Puncture Test (CBR Test), BSI, London.

EN ISO 12956: 2010 Geotextile and Geotextile Related Products, Determination of

Characteristic Opening Size,

EN ISO 11058: 2010 Geotextile and Geotextile Related Products, Determination of Water
Permeability Characteristics Normal to the Plane without Load, BSI, London

EN ISO 9864: 2005 Test Method for the Determination of Mass per Unit Area of Geotextiles
and Geotextile-related Products, BSI, London.

1.04 SITE INFORMATION

A. All levels shall be to New Abu Dhabi Datum (NADD). Benchmarks are located on Street 33
and levels will be provided.

B. The coordinates for the site are UTM Grid 40, WGS1984 Spheroid. Benchmarks are on
Street 33 and coordinates will be provided.

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement May 2013

Section 31 34 19 Page 2 of 5
Construction, Completion and Maintenance for Infrastructure Works of Emirati Neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi Capital
District
Tender ref.P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

C. Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement shall be placed at the locations shown on the Tender
drawings.

Part 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 PRODUCTS OF THE WORKS

A. The products of this work will be strengthened layers as part of the pavement
construction.

Part 3 EXECUTION – GEOGRIDS AND GEOTEXTILES

3.01 MATERIALS

A. The Contractor shall submit details of the Geogrids and Geotextiles he proposes to use in the
Works to the Employer’s Representative for approval.

B. Geogrids and Geotextiles shall be inert to all chemicals naturally found in soils, shall not be
susceptible to hydrolysis, shall be resistant to aqueous solution of salts, acids and alkalis and
shall be non-biodegradable.

C. Geogrids and Geotextiles used in the Works shall have a resistance to UV light and
weathering. The Contractor shall provide certificates to demonstrate that the selected
Geogrid and Geotextile comply with these criteria.

3.02 GEOGRID AND GEOTEXTILE SEPARATOR PROPERTIES

A. The Geotextile Separator shall have the following properties:

Property Parameter Standard

(i) Material: Synthetic non-woven
product
(ii) Wide width mean peak tensile strength: 8.0 kN/m EN ISO 10319
(iii) Elongation maximum: 60% EN ISO 10319
(iv) Mean peak CBR Puncture Resistance 1500N EN ISO 12236
Strength:
(v) Mean AOS 090 pore size: 75 x 10-6m EN ISO 12956
(vi) Permeability mean flow rate at 50mm 90 L/s/m2 EN ISO 11058
head:
(vii) Mass per unit area: 130 g/m2 EN ISO 9864

B. The Geogrid shall have the following properties:

Property Parameter Standard

(i) Material: Punched Polypropylene
Sheet orientated in two
directions
(ii) Wide width mean peak tensile strength: >40 kN/m EN ISO 10319
(iii) Elongation maximum: 11% EN ISO 10319
(iv) Mass per unit area: 530 g/m2 EN ISO 9864

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement May 2013

Section 31 34 19 Page 3 of 5
Construction, Completion and Maintenance for Infrastructure Works of Emirati Neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi Capital
District
Tender ref.P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

3.03 TESTING

A. The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Compliance shall be provided for each batch of Geogrid
and Geotextile delivered to site and copied to the Employer’s Representative.

3.04 INSTALLATION

A Geogrids and Geotextiles shall be installed in accordance with the Manufacturer’s

requirements and to the satisfaction of the Employer’s Representative.

B The Contractor shall install the Geogrids and Geotextile Separator at the specified elevation
and alignment as shown on the Construction Drawings or as directed by the Employer’s
Representative.

C Areas upon which the Geotextile is to be laid shall be smooth rolled prior to placement.

D The fill for the granular reinforcement layer shall be one of mechanical interlock with the
Geogrid apertures and where both rigid ribs and rigid junctions absorb the loads such that
the interlocking aggregate particles are laterally confined.

E Where two layers of Geogrid are specified, the upper layer shall be orientated at right angles
to the lower Geogrid Layer.

F Where lapping is employed adjacent Geogrid sheets shall be overlapped by at least 300mm
and 600mm for the Geotextile Separator. The overlaps shall be maintained during the filling
operation.

G The granular reinforcement fill shall not tipped directly onto the Geogrid. The granular fill
shall be spread with mechanical plant such as an excavator bucket or a dozer with an
opening bucket which causes the fill to cascade onto the Geogrid. The granular fill shall be
placed, spread and compacted in accordance with the Specifications in such a manner that
does not cause any damage and minimises the development of wrinkles and movement of
the Geogrid and Geotextile.

H No traffic or site plant shall be permitted to travel directly on the Geogrid or Geotextiles prior
to placing of the granular reinforcement fill.

I Any damaged or defective Geogrid or Geotextile shall be repaired by removal of the

damaged area and patching with new Geogrid and Geotextile with a minimum overlap of 1m
beyond the limits of the affected area or in accordance with the Manufactures’ Instructions

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement May 2013

Section 31 34 19 Page 4 of 5
Construction, Completion and Maintenance for Infrastructure Works of Emirati Neighbourhood, Abu Dhabi Capital
District
Tender ref.P126-T/BPS/028/13-P3

Part 4 Measurement and Payment

The Geogrid and Geotextile shall be measured and paid for by the square metre, completed in place.
No allowance will be made for overlap, splices or material cut off or wasted. Manufacturer’s overlap
and splicing requirements for the intended application may vary. Payment for the Geosynthetics shall
include furnishing all material to site, labour, and equipment required to place the Geosynthetics, and
any hand work necessary to establish grades, make splices, and repairs.

END OF SECTION 31 34 19

Geosynthetic Soil Reinforcement May 2013

Section 31 34 19 Page 5 of 5