Uses and Applications

High Speed Lines

Tensar biaxial geogrids have been used for track bed reinforcement of High-Speed lines in various countries with track speeds up to 300km/h. In Belgium numerous applications in the TGV lines Brussels-France, Brussels-Germany and Brussels-Netherlands have been constructed.

Upgrading line 25 Brussels - Antwerp for TGV

The use of geogrids in these TGV lines is for improvement of the bearing capacity of the track bed foundation or safety against collapse from potential underlying voids (e.g in areas of mineworkings or solution features).

Geogrids are also used extensively for temporary access roads and working platforms over weak ground, such as on the UK's Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).

Tensar reinforced access roads and working platforms on the CTRL, Kent

Upgrading Existing Lines

Since the early 1990's many Eastern European railway lines needed to be upgraded for higher speeds up to 160km/h. The main problem was that the existing bearing capacity of track bed foundation was generally insufficient for these high speeds and improvement was required. The Tensar solution proved to be by far the most economical, as it did not require deeper ballast beds or other expensive and disruptive techniques. This solution could improve the bearing capacity simply by installing a Tensar geogrid at the current ballast depth during ballast and track recycling operations.

Tensar SS grids used to improve bearing capacity on European corridor No. 4 Prague-Vienna, near Podivin.

Reduction of Maintenance in Existing Lines

Railway lines over weak soils have a particular problem due to the dynamic loadings from passing trains. Track ballast constantly deforms and settles leading to differential settlement and poor track geometry, which requires regular maintenance. In the Netherlands, Dutch railways has chosen to install Tensar biaxial geogrids to improve the bearing capacity of the track bed foundation and reduce the settlements in existing and new railway lines. Moreover for specific applications, like switches, level crossings, bridges and stations, geogrids are used for the reduction of differential settlements in order to reduce maintenance at these locations. Similar applications have been carried out in Spain, Portugal and Greece.

Bearing capacity improvements for TGV line Antwerp-Rotterdam

A selection of relevant brochures that may be downloaded are listed on the top right of this page. Alternatively click here for a full list of relevant brochures and case studies

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