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Soil Reinforcement Geosynthetics

P a r a p r o d u c t s

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
Products Range 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
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.

ParaLink
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 Typical applications are:
of composite geosynthetics strips. • Reinforcement of embankements over soft soils.
Each single longitudinal strip has a core of high modulus, low creep • Reinforcement of embankments constructed over areas prone to
polyester yarn tendons encased in a tough, durable polyethylene sheath. subsidence; if subsidence occurs then the ParaLink bridges across the
The single strips are connected by low strength cross laid polyethylene void (so formed) thus maintaining support for the embankement.
elements which give a grid like shape to the composite. ParaLink has • Reinforcement of the foundation of piled embankments; ParaLink assists
superior unidirectional strength and is available as a custom-made in the transfer of the embankment loadings directly onto the piles so
product in a range of strengths as between 100 kN/m ultimate up to that the foundation soil supports a negligible load improving the stability
1350 kN/m. and reducing settlements.
Bidirectional strength can be obtained by installing two ParaLink layers • Steep slope construction as main reinforcement in combination with
at right angles to each other. Terramesh units or ParaGrid.

ParaGrid
ParaGrid is suitable for structural applications where a long term design life
ParaGrid (50-120 years typically depending on the different existing regulations) is
required.
ParaGrid geogrids are planar structures consisting of a biaxial array
Typical applications are:
of composite geosynthetic strips.
• Reinforcement of the fill of steep slopes; ParaGrid steep slopes can be built
The strips comprise a core of high modulus, low creep polyester
using different types of facings according to the Contractor’s preference.
yarn tendons encased in a tough, durable polyethylene sheath. • Reinforcement of the fill in segmental block walls; ParaGrid can be used
ParaGrid has good bidirectional strengths and is available in strength in combination with any type of block.
from 30 kN/m to 200 kN/m in the main direction (longitudinal) and • Reinforcement of low embankments on soft soils to limit and manage
from 5 to 100 kN/m in the secondary direction. 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

ParaDrain
ParaDrain is for use in traditional geogrids applications (as ParaGrid)
but in conditions in which the soil to be reinforced has particularly
ParaDrain has a unique combination of reinforcement and drainage. poor drainage properties. Such soils inclu d e t h o s e wit h a h ig h f i n es
They are manufactured using a proven technology of the ParaGrid content whose shear strength and reinforcement bond characteristics
reinforcing products in combination with heat-bonded nonwoven 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
continuous filament geotextiles as filters.
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
The reinforcing function is provided by high tenacity polyester yarns enabling it to gain early strength and improve its bond with the
enacsed in a durable sheath of polyethylene which is profiled to provide reinforcement thereby stabilising the soil mass quickly and effectively.
a drainage channel. The nonwoven geotextile acts as a filter to allow ParaDrain enables the use of marginal filling materials which would be
pore water to escape into the drainage channel from the soil mass in otherwise removed from the site and replaced with high quality soil.
which the product is placed. ParaDrain has good bidirectional strength 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
and is available in strength from 50 kN/m to 200 kN/m in the main
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
direction (longitudinal) and 5 or 15 kN/m in the secondary direction.
st eep fill sl opes.

02 03
Soil Reinforcement: Concepts
So ils su it ab le fo r re i nf o rci ng D e si gn l oa d
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 where Tnominal is the nominal breaking
All soils develop tensile strain during shear deformation,
reinforcement can be relied to deliver at the load corresponding to the short term tensile
consequently the reinforcement can develop tensile forces
end of the design life and at a design strength; Fcreep is the safety factor due to
when placed in any soil, provided the reinforcement is
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 the creep behaviour at the fixed design life
i n an ap p r o p r i at e o r i en t at io n .
for mul a: and Fm is the safety factor depending on
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 .
the product itself and from the construction
However it requires much less reinforcement to stabilise and e nvir onme nta l e ffect s.
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. T de sig n = T nom inal
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 f cree p x f m
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
c o h e s i v e s o i l s.
fm = fm1 x fm2

factors related to the intrinsic factors concerned with construction

properties of the material and enviromental effects
Behaviour of geosynthetic fm1= fm1 1 x fm1 2 fm2= fm21 x fm22
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: fm1 1 fm1 2 fm21 fm22
consistency of manufacture extrapolation installation environmental aggression of
Streng th S ti f f ne s s production process of test data damages the soil where reinforcement is
- 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 ) - Initial elongation compatible with the serviceability fm11 = fm111 x fm112 placed (basic, ph, etc..)
fm12 = fm1 21 x fm122 fm21 = fm2 11 x fm212
- Reduction of initial strength due to installation damage 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 - Effects of installation damage on the elongation
b eh av i o u r o f t h e r ei n f o r c e me n t b e h avio u r o f t h e p r o d u c t
- Effect of creep on the long term elongation properties fm1 11 fm112 fm121 fm122 fm211 fm212
- Effect of temperature on the short and long term tensile emply or not of geometrical confidence in the estrapolation of short term effects long term effects
p r o p er t i es - 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 appropriate audites tollerances on evaluation of the statistic parameters of installation of installation
t e n sile p r o p e r t ie s quality controls reinforcement statistic parameters for lon g term values damages 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
a c c o rd i n g t o B S8 0 0 6
- 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

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

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
t3
σ4
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 t2

Strain
t e r m prope rt ie s of t he re infor cem ent .
t1 σ3
The stress/strain /time characteristics (at constant
temperature) of reinforcement geosynthetics can t0 σ2
be visualised in terms of a three-dimensional
body with stress, strain and time comprising the σ1
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
σ0
r e quir ed t o de ve lop t he corr ect de sign. S t re
ss e
Tim

04 05
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 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 • Agrement Certificate No 03/4065 relates to the ParaLink
a costant applied load; this performance is influenced 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 geocomposite products, for use as basal reinforcement
b y t em p erat u r e. coating that prevents the load carrying yarns from under highway embankments constructed on or over
The long-term preformance of a geosynthetic is highly b e in g d amag e d d u r in g t h e in st allat io n . - soft foundat ion soils
- pil ed founda ti ons
d ep en d en t o n i t s c r eep b eh avio u r. 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
- ar eas prone to subside nce.
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 encountered during installation with negligible loss in
sustain over 64% ot their initial strength; compared 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
Pa raG r i d B BA c er t i fi c at i o n s
with polyolephine reinforcements (polypropylene or can lose up to 60% of their ultimate strength during • Roads and Bridges Agreement Certificate No 98/R098
polyethylene geogrids or fabrics) of identical nominal 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 relates to ParaGrid geocomposites for use as reinforcement
st r en g t h t h ey c an r esi st 5 0 % mo r e lo ad . st r u c t u r e. 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
Pro d uc t d urab i l i ty
soil r et ai ning wal ls.
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

120 Years
1 Month

60 Years
5 Years
1 Week
materials provides the best protection from chemical

1 Hour
C E m ar k in g

1 Year
1 Day
at t ac k. • 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
Whilst the polyester core is highly resistant to chemical 100 Products Directive - Council Directive 89/106/EEC as
% of initial ultimate tensile strength

degradation, the outer coating provides added security 90 reinforcement material - R - according to EN13249,
such that the geogrid will continue to perform 80 EN13250, EN13251, EN13253, EN13255, EN13257,
throughout the design life in the most adverse 70 EN 13265.
Polyester used
conditions associated with waste materials and “brown 60 in reinforcement
fi el d ” si t es. 50
40 High density
polyathylene
30
Polypropylene
20
120 Years
1 Month

60 Years

10
5 Years
1 Week
1 Hour

1 Year
1 Day

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
40
Polypropylene Log time (sec)
35

30 Load to rupture behaviour of polymers at 20°C

High density
polyathylene
Elongation (%)

25

20
100
15

10 90 ParaGrid
Polyester used Woven geogrids
% retained strength

5 in reinforcement Extruded polypropylene grids

80
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
70
Log time (sec) Geotextilex

60
Elongation of polymers at 20°C at 30% of
nominal breaking load

0 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.
• Soil bag technique
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.
• Shallow slope
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.

• Permanent shuttering C o s t be ne fi t s E n vi ro n m e n ta l be ne fit s

A permanent shutter at the front face provide • 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 • Paraproduct solutions reduce the demand on non-renewable
an increase in the rate of construction with for steep slope construction without incurring the materials used to construct reinforced concrete structures.
an even front face. additional cost associated with a conventional retaining 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
This form of construction is ideally suitable wall. A reinforced steep slope will typically be less than impact on our environment and provide habitat for our
where the designer wishes to achieve a grass
hal f t he cost of a conv ent iona l r et ai ning wal l fa una a nd flora.
finish with minimum variation across.
• 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 Traditional
loca ll y ava ila ble fil li ng. Retaining
Wall
• 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 Reinforced Soil Slope
Traditional 50%Reduction in Cost
structure while performed Terramesh units act as Shallow Improved Appearance
Kinder to the
secondary reinforcement and permanent shuttering Slope Environment
maximising the speed of construction.
The system is recommended for high structures. Improved
Noise
Reduction

Traditional
Ter ram es h Green or Parap ro d u c ts rei n fo rc em en t
Shallow
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; Slope
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 Improved
Increased Noise
stren g th o ver 150 kN/ m Developable Land Reduction

Reinforced Slope
Increased Land
for Development
or Reduced Land Take

08 09
Basal Reinforcement Maccaferri software for design

Load applied to reinforcement

Construction period

T,
Shear strength of
foundation supports

T
Basal reinforced embankments on soft embankment To assist the designers Maccaferri developed a range
foundations are “short term reinforcement of customised software dedicated to soil
applications” with a limited effect of creep. reinforcement applications.
Time
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 Basal reinforced embankments on soft foundation soils
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
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
has been developed which enables - according
for use as a reinforcement in such
t o t h e d e s i g n criteria detailed in technician 8 of
ap p l i c at i o n s.
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
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 stability analysis using different types of
subsidence or in combination with piled reinforcement (metallics like Terramesh and synthetics
foundations are being “long term reinforcement like ParaGrid and ParaLink) in combination with any
ap p l i c at i o n s d esi g n ed ” . type of soils and surrounding conditions.
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 This software has been fully validated by full scale
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 tests and is actually one of the most powerful sofware
Construction period for stability analysis available on the market.
fi t t h e d esi g n r eq u i r em en t s. Load applied to reinforcement
T,
ParaLink materials have been used in such
applications since the 80’s and there is a
T

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 Time
geogrids; ParaLink is BBA certified Basal reinforced piled embankments

for use as basal reinforment in

important structures as
h i g h way em b an km en t s. Construction period
Load applied to reinforcement

Void formation
T,
No void maintenance performed
T

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
Co st b enefits and post-manufacture testing ensures that the
• Reinforced soil foundations provide a practical material properties fall within tight manufacturing
solution for reinforcement under embankments tolerances. Extensive research and development has
o n so ft so i l s. 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
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 Universities all over the world to asses the
construction time can give substantial cost performances of the different Paraproducts.
b en efi t s. 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
• The use in combination with piles reduces the performances with Engish China Clay by the University
cost of the concrete part of the solution and of Newcastle who designed the specific apparatus
enables embankments to be constructed to to measure the rate of pore water dissipation and
an y h ei g h t at an u n r est r ic t e d rat e. 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.

10 11