Plastic Geogrid

Plastic geogrid is a type of reinforcement geosynthetic material made of polyethylene or polypropylene with a mesh structure. It can help improve the load-bearing capacity of soil, reduce lateral movement and enhance the stability of foundations.

It is extruded into a sheet, punched into a regular mesh pattern and then stretched longitudinally. It is UV stabilized and resistant to chemical and biological corrosion.

Strength

The tensile strength of plastic geogrid is determined by its macromolecules, which are rearranged and oriented during heating and extension. As a result, the cross-linking between these molecules is increased, making the material stronger. In addition, a layer of anti-aging materials is also added, enhancing its durability and resistance to environmental damage.

Geogrids have a high load-bearing capacity and can be used in various construction projects, including highways, railroads, embankments, and retaining walls. They are particularly useful in areas with weak soils, as they provide reinforcement and stability for the surrounding soil. They can also help prevent roadbed distortion and cracking, which increases the life of the roadway.

There are several types of plastic geogrids, depending on their raw material and manufacturing process. Some are made of polyester, while others are made of glass or steel. Both types offer excellent tensile strength and stiffness, and both are durable against abrasion and erosion.

Uniaxial geogrids have rectangular apertures and offer high tensile strength in one direction. They are used in slope and wall applications, such as plastic geogrid retaining walls, landfill liner systems, and steep slopes. They are resistant to low temperatures, making them a good choice for northern climates.

Multiaxial geogrids have a flat mesh structure that is formed by extrusion, punching, and single-direction or double-direction stretching. These products have good bearing capacity in four directions based on node position, and they can be used in slope and wall projects as well as in the reinforcement of highways, railways, runways, and ports. They are also rot-resistant and resistant to degradation by water, acid, alkali, salt solution, oil, and microorganisms.

Elongation

The elongation of plastic geogrid is important because it affects its tensile strength. A geogrid with a large elongation will be susceptible to node offset under the action of tensile forces, which can change the appearance of the product and lead to early failure. To avoid this, the elongation of the geogrid should be as small as possible. In addition, the diameter-to-distance ratio and percentage difference between longitudinal and transverse spacing must be controlled to ensure the proper mechanical properties of the ribs.

Biaxial plastic geogrid is extruded into a sheet and punched into a regular mesh pattern. Then, it is stretched in both longitudinal and transverse directions. This process creates a strong, flexible geogrid that has high tensile strength in both directions. It is used in road constructions for soil reinforcement and subgrade stabilization. It also has excellent chemical resistance.

Triaxial plastic geogrid is made of new and recycled polypropylene, with the addition of anti-aging materials. The plasticizer and antioxidants improve the plasticity of the material, while the anti-aging additives protect it from ultraviolet radiation. This type of geogrid has better performance than uniaxially stretched plastic geogrid.

It is very easy to construct and is suitable for various applications. It is particularly useful for reinforcing embankment slopes, dams, and retaining walls. It can also reduce construction costs and increase the bearing capacity of soil.

Durability

The durability of plastic geogrid is a key factor in its ability to function as an engineering material. This is particularly important for applications in which the geogrid will be exposed to cyclical loading and high temperatures. In addition, a good design should consider the impact of chemical and biological agents on the degradation of the geogrid.

The polymer used to manufacture plastic geogrids is typically a high-density or low-density polyethylene or a mixture of the two. It is molded into sheet form, punched with holes to create a grid-like structure and then stretched to different directions during production. This type of geogrid is referred to as biaxial or unidirectional, depending on the direction in which it is stretched.

Its chain structure helps to distribute the applied loads evenly over a wide area of the ground, which can increase the bearing capacity and extend the service life of the roadbed. In addition, it can help to prevent soil erosion and ground subsidence. It is widely used in the construction of roads, railways and slops.

PP geogrids have a low permeability, small difference in vertical and horizontal strengths and high tensile strength in the machine direction. They also have excellent elasticity and resistance to abrasion, UV aging and corrosion in acidic and alkaline environments. They are also lightweight, with strong interlocking forces with soil or aggregates and can withstand significant stresses and deformation.

Applications

Plastic geogrids are mainly made of high molecular polyethylene or polypropylene, which are extruded into sheet, punched into regular mesh pattern and finally stretched. They can be divided into uniaxial and biaxial plastic geogrids according to their stretched direction. Uniaxial plastic geogrid can resist elongation, maintain its shape and have stable size, good strength, chemical or biological resistance and rot-resistance. It is often used in roadbed construction to enhance and strengthen the foundation of asphalt or cement pavement, prevent the rutting of roads and extend their service life. It can also be used to reinforce retaining wall projects of highway, railway and slopes for ground stabilization.

The tensile behavior of a plastic geogrid has been studied by using both single-rib and wide-rib specimens at different strain rates. It was found geosynthetic manufacturer that the tensile strength of a single-rib specimen increased with increasing strain rate. However, the tensile strength of a wide-rib specimen was higher than that of a single-rib specimen at the same strain rate.

Steel-plastic composite geogrid is widely used in various construction projects, including soft soil foundation reinforcement, ground crack resistance and retaining walls. Its longitudinal and transverse ribs interlock to maximize soil body embedment locking. The ribs are highly resistant to the environmental stress, providing excellent tensile properties, high stiffness and low creep. They are also anti-corrosion, easy to install and have a long service life.