APPLYING OF GEOSYNTHETICS IN ROADS PROJECTS
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Date
2021
Authors
Raghad Qashou’
Jana Kafri
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Abstract
Geosynthetics is considered as a cost-effective and time-saving material for constructing different kind of structures. In addition to the mentioned advantages, Geosynthetics increase the quality significantly which can extend the lifetime of the structure. Geosynthetics are commonly used in roads construction for improving the performance since 1970 in the bridges ramps, pavement sections and rain water storage tanks among other things. Geosynthetics are started to be introduced to the developing countries but yet it is not commonly known.
In this project, the project team studied the cost of constructing a suggested section of a road that has approximately area of 450,000 m2 (In UAE-Reeman2) that includes a bridge ramp and an infiltration tanks and redesign that section using the Geosynthetics. After that the team compared the difference in both the cost and the time of construction. As an application of this study, the team applied the same technology in the re-habitation of a 5.1 Km road in Jenin Governorate in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MoPWH). As the water table in the study area of Jenin is so high the team has suggested some geosynthetic solutions to solve this problem.
The project followed these different stages: First, the team studied the design of the proposed road, calculating the capacity and the performance. Then redesign the section using the Geosynthetics in the same criteria. In the next step, the team calculated both the cost and carbon footprint of the two designs and apply a comparison tables to elaborate the results.
The followed stage was using the same procedure in designing the infiltration tanks using conventional ways of construction and using soak away tanks and compare prices in between. In addition to that, the cost of both of the bridge’s abutments (using MSE walls) and erosion control beside these bridges (using Geocells) of an intersection in Reeman2 project was calculated and compared to the conventional cost.
The results showed significant savings in constructing roads, infiltration tanks, erosion control elements and the soil stabilization elements using Geosynthetics. In addition to that, better capacity was noticed in both parts of the project, therefore increase the performance.
As expected from results, the new design of the proposed sections of pavement will contribute in minimizing the cost and time of construction of the road. Moreover, increase the performance and the lifetime of the road. The full design was prepared following the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 1993, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) and Abu Dhabi Municipality Specifications (ADMS). As for MSE wall design follows the following standards: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification (2014) and United Kingdom British Standard BS8006-1:2010.