problem
In order to increase the traffic flow on the main highway connecting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with the Saudi Arabian border, it was decided to widen the existing highway from four to eight lanes.
Due to the poor underlying soil conditions and the cost of importing engineered fill material the designers looked at geotechnical solutions that would increase both the bearing capacity of the subsoil and decrease the thickness of the fill material, that would normally be required.
Due to the aggressive nature of the fill material the chosen geosynthetic product had to demonstrate a high degree of resistance to mechanical damage. The existing subgrade soil was identified as a typical Subkha soil with a low bearing capacity. To enable the project to be completed on time, ease of installation was also of prime importance.

solution
To stabilize the road embankments and to avoid differential settlement, the consultant engineers opted for an integral extruded PP geogrid offering both high junction strength and resistance to mechanical damage. The same product has been used also to reinforce and decrease the thickness of imported fill of the slip roads.
As TENAX LBO 303 SAMP geogrids met in full the project and design requirements, the product was proposed by the contractor and approved by the engineers.
TENAX LBO 303 SAMP geogrids are specifically designed for base reinforcement through uniform load distribution. The geogrid reinforces the soil through two main mechanisms: direct resistance to tensile stresses and interlocking, which prevents any lateral movement of the soil.
To extend the road width, excavations were made on either side of the existing road and TENAX LBO 303 SAMP geogrids were installed at the base and special rock fill, between 0,25 m and 0,40 m thick depending on the area, was then placed and compacted. For the slip roads TENAX LBO 303 SAMP geogrids were installed for the full width of the new road base, back filled and compacted with the special rock fill. In total, in excess of 700,000 m2 of TENAX LBO 303 SAMP geogrids were installed on the project.