Product Evaluation: Presto Roadbase Sand Confinement Grid

Abstract

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is continuously looking for methods of using marginal soils for roadway and airport embankments. In areas such as the Western coast of Alaska, where quality materials must be imported and therefore are prohibitively expensive, the use of native soils represents a significant cost savings to the State. The Army Corps of Engineer Experimental Waterways Station has developed a method of stabilizing sand using a plastic grid system. This report analyzes the system for use in Western Alaska using a finite element analysis and the Chev5L computer program. These analysis indicate that the grid system is at least equal to 6 inches of crushed aggregate. The bearing capacity of the sand is greatly enhanced since lateral displacement is eliminated. Although additional work is still required, it is expected that the sand grid system discussed in this report will ultimately result in a significant cost savings in embankment construction in Western Alaska