Rail

Increased transportation of goods coupled with rising construction costs have rail owners seeking cost-effective solutions to build new track. This increased demand also has owners grappling with lost productivity from ongoing maintenance issues. geogrids provide a predictable, cost-effective solution for the stabilization of ballast and sub-ballast layers that includes many advantages.Key benefits include lower up-front construction costs and extending maintenance intervals.

Geogrids are used to stabilize the trackbed structure in two ways: sub-ballast and ballast stabilization.In sub-ballast stabilization, geogrid is installed at the bottom of the sub-ballast.  The geogrid distributes the imposed loads more efficiently over the underlying subgrade, leading to a reduction in the required sub-ballast layer thickness. With ballast stabilization, the geogrid is installed between the ballast and sub-ballast layers. This limits lateral spread and thereby minimizes track settlement.Beyond the stabilization and cost efficiency benefits for trackbed development and maintenance, using geogrids supports rail asset resilience. Infrequent, large-scale events can cause enormous disruption and damage. In such situations, geogrid is an essential tool for minimizing infrastructure damage, reducing transport disruption and improving response and recovery time for rail.

Geogrids can save up to $30,000 per linear mile of track by significantly reducing the required trackbed thickness (and still meet the required factor of safety).  The ease of geogrid installation not only accelerates construction schedules, but also eliminates the cost of special labor and equipment.    And with the option to install geogrids in wet conditions, contractors can maximize their productivity in inclement weather.  Since geogrids can be installed directly over existing weak subgrade soils, the costs associated with subgrade excavation, disposal, and replacement or chemical treatment (along with the curing time for chemical treatment) can be eliminated. With shallower excavation, the potential costs associated with the relocation of utilities can often be eliminated as well.

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