Steep Slopes

Constructing embankments
with steep slopes
 Tensar. The value
2 engineered
solution
In Tensar you’ll find a partner
with the experience and
flexibility to respond to your
project requirements. From
design to completion, we’ll make
sure you always benefit from a
practical, cost-effective solution
to your specific need.

Constructing embankments
with steep slopes
Reinforced soil slopes offer a fast, The services offered range from a free of
economical and versatile technique for charge application suggestion to a full
constructing embankments and slip design and supply service with
repairs when a steep face angle is professional indemnity cover. No liability
required. In fact, slopes of any required in negligence or responsibility of any kind
face angle may be built. Environmental is accepted by Tensar International for
constraints and rising land costs have any project where Tensar products are
increased the need for value engineering, not used.
frequently requiring the engineer to
make use of poor quality soils as fill
STABILISING A STEEP SLOPE
materials. Therefore, reinforced soil
A fully indemnified Design and slopes provide an economic solution and This enables engineers to:
Supply service with full working give engineers the confidence to create • maximise the plateau area on a
drawings.
structures with a bio-engineered finish. sloping site
• widen road or rail embankments for
TENSAR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT additional capacity within the
SERVICES
current boundary
Tensar International’s experienced
• form both environmental noise bunds
engineers are available to provide clients,
and screens
consultants and contractors with design
and construction support. Designs are • utilise cohesive, marginal or other
carried out using sophisticated software site-won fills
developed in-house: • construct low cost temporary works
• Geogrid layout is designed using the • reduce construction times
program Winwall, which includes a
number of well established design
methods
• Overall stability can be checked using
the program Winslope TENSAR RE GEOGRIDS FOR
REINFORCED SOIL EMBANKMENTS
• Earthquake forces, complex geometry,
water tables may all be taken into
account

Free Application Suggestions are prepared on the

basis of internationally accepted standards such as
BS 8006, HA 68/94 and the German Institut für Tensar geogrids have been awarded numerous
Bautechnik method. independent fitness-for-purpose certificates.
 Slopes up to 45°
The unique structure of Tensar uniaxial
geogrids enables load from the soil to be Slip repairs
transferred to the reinforcement very
efficiently. As a result, stability at the Slip failures in natural or man-made
face is achieved without the need for slopes can be repaired by excavating and
containment. Construction is simple and re-using the failed soil reinforced with
cost-effective because the geogrids, Tensar geogrids. This excellent method is
which terminate at the face, are simply more cost-effective and less time
placed in horizontal layers on top of consuming than disposing of the failed
compacted fill. A permanent erosion soil and replacing it with imported fill.
control mat will help the surface
vegetation protect the slope from heavy THIS METHOD ALSO:
rainfall. The mat reinforces the root zone • minimises disposal of on-site fill and soils
of the vegetation and maintains an • reduces haulage costs
Heavy compactors can work close to the face of a 1:1 slope. • cuts costs compared to traditional
attractive finish to the surface of the
slope. methods by up to 75%
TENSAR UNIAXIAL GEOGRIDS ALLOW: • reduces traffic disruption and lane
closures
• shorter construction times and cost
savings
• no face stability problems with heavy
compaction equipment
• easy, accurate face trimming after
construction
• attractive appearance with creepers,
shrubs and bushes
• utilisation of site-won fills

A slope that should have been reinforced.

The geogrids are used extensively for slip repairs,

particularly with clay soils (UK).

3
4

Slopes steeper than 45°

For steeper slope angles, fill must be
contained at the face to create a
satisfactory and durable structure. This Vegetation develops quickly on slopes constructed
with soil-filled bags (Taiwan). Such structures can be
may be achieved very simply by
designed to withstand seismic loadings.
wrapping the geogrid up the face and
connecting it to the layer above using a
construction process known as wrap-
around. This is commonly done using
soil filled bags behind the geogrid to
help retain the soil during construction
and maintain the required shape of the
slope face. The bags may be filled with
grass seed and topsoil to create a well
vegetated face and prevent loss of soil
from the steeply inclined slope through
erosion.

As an alternative to wrap-around, steel

mesh panels may be used to form the
slope face. The steel mesh supports the
fill during placement, and maintains the
required face alignment and shape.

Turf blocks and ivy provide an attractive

easy-to-manage face (UK).

70º slope (Malaysia).

 Wrap-around facings
The use of wrap-around offers a simple
construction method for a reinforced soil
structure. The bags may be filled with
top soil for subsequent planting or
turfing to provide an attractive face. The
system is equally suitable for temporary
works where a complicated shape may
be readily formed.

• suitable for construction over soft

ground so avoiding expensive
foundations
Constructing steep highway slopes (Taiwan). Construction requires only geogrid and readily
• construction technique allows available equipment and materials.
tensioning of the geogrid to avoid
face slump
• can create a face using a single
fill material
• resistant to ultra violet light
• removal costs are low for a
temporary structure

Typical appearance on completion of construction.

Vegetation takes over to give a mature appearance

and hide all the construction detail.

Mature 70º wrap-around slope (Malaysia).

Tensar reinforced slopes and walls can accommodate

intense dynamic loads (Germany).
6

SMP-faced structures are ideal for temporary works.

Steel Mesh Panel (SMP) Systems

A steel mesh panel system acts as a
construction expedient and as a
permanent shutter, providing greater
control over face alignment. This low cost
option is suitable for both permanent
and temporary structures and can be
adopted with a variety of face types.

A STEEL MESH PANEL SYSTEM OFFERS The geogrid lengths are simply and securely connected
MANY ADVANTAGES SUCH AS: to the steel panels from within the structure.

• a good method of achieving a

straight face
• avoids slumping as face can
be tensioned
• quick and easy to erect
• construction can be solely from the
fill side
• can be used with turf or pre-seeded A vegetated face can be achieved using a thin turf
mats for a green face liner behind the steel mesh.

• geotextile can be placed in the face to

allow planting at a later date
• ideal method for temporary works

Steel mesh panel

Typically 50o to 70o Tensar

geogrid
Typical of the vegetated effect achieved with
SMP-faced structures (UK).

HDPE
Turf liner bodkin

Topsoil

Tensioning the geogrid. Geotextile placed behind face for planting at later date.
 Tensar RE geogrid specifications
Tensar geogrid - typical characteristics and dimensions
Property Units 40RE 55RE 80RE 120RE 160RE
Polymer HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE
Minimum carbon black (1) % 2 2 2 2 2
Roll width m 1.0 & 1.3 1.0 & 1.3 1.0 & 1.3 1.0 & 1.3 1.0 & 1.3
Roll length m 50 50 50 50 30
Unit weight kg/m2 0.34 0.42 0.60 0.94 1.26
Roll weight kg 19 & 24 23 & 29 32 & 41 49 & 63 40 & 51
Dimensions
AL mm 235 235 235 235 230
AT mm 16 16 16 16 16
BWT mm 16 16 16 16 16
FWL mm 6 6 6 6 6
tB mm 1.8 - 2.0 2.5 - 2.7 3.4 - 3.7 5.5 - 5.9 7.1 - 7.7
tF mm 0.7 0.9 1.3 2.0 2.6
Quality control strength
tULT (2) kN/m 52.5 64.5 88.0 136.0 173.0
Load at 2% strain (2) kN/m 12.7 16.1 23.7 38.0 52.5
Load at 5% strain (2) kN/m 24.7 30.9 45.2 75.5 103.0
Approx strain at tULT % 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5
Junction strength (3) % 100 100 100 100 100
Long term creep rupture strength ULS (4)
PC or TCR for 10ºC (5) kN/m 23.3 28.7 38.2 54.6 69.4
PC or TCR for 20ºC (5) kN/m 20.7 25.5 34.0 48.7 61.7

(1) Carbon black inhibits attack by UV light. Determined in accordance with BS 2782:Part 4:Method 452B:1993. Any section of grid
fully exposed to sunlight can be expected to retain 90% of its quality control strength for periods in excess of 40 years in
temperature climates and 20 years in tropical climates.
(2) Determined in accordance with BS EN ISO 10319:1996 and as lower 95% confidence limit in accordance with
ISO 2602:1980 (BS 2846:Part 2:1981).
(3) Determined in accordance with GRI Test Method GG2-87, and expressed as a % of the quality control strength.
(4) Determined as a lower bound using standard extrapolation techniques to creep rupture data obtained following the test
procedure in BS EN ISO 13431:1999 for 120 year design life.
(5) In-soil temperature.
(6) Tensar RE geogrids are inert to all chemicals naturally found in soils and have no solvents at ambient temperature. They are not
susceptible to hydrolysis and are resistant to aqueous solutions of salts, acids and alkalis (pH 2.0 to 12.5) and are non-
biodegradable.
(7) All quoted dimensions and values are typical unless stated otherwise.
Data sheets are also available for 60 year creep rupture strengths and Tensar SR geogrids.

7
Contact Tensar International or your local distributor to receive further
literature covering Tensar products and applications.
Also available on request are product specifications, installation guides
and specification notes.
The complete range of Tensar literature consists of:
• Tensar Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering A guide to the products
and their applications
• Ground Stabilisation Reinforcing unbound layers
in roads and trafficked areas
• Steep Slopes Constructing embankments
with steep slopes
• Retaining Walls Constructing retaining walls in reinforced soil
• Foundations over Piles Constructing over weak ground
without settlement
• Basal Reinforcement Constructing embankments over
weak ground
• Railways Reinforcing ballast under railway track
• Asphalt Pavements Reinforcing asphalt layers
in roads and trafficked areas
• Erosion Controlling erosion on soil and rock slopes

Your local distributor is:

Tensar International Limited Tel: +44 (0)1254 262431

New Wellington Street Fax: +44 (0)1254 266868
Blackburn BB2 4PJ E-mail: info@tensar.co.uk
United Kingdom www.tensar-international.com

Tensar geogrids are manufactured under tightly controlled

conditions. The quality assurance procedures covering design and
application and the manufacturing process have been certified by
the British Standards Institution as a Registered Firm in
accordance with BS EN ISO 9001:2000
Q05288

Tensar is a registered trade mark.

©Copyright Tensar International Limited

Printed December 2002 Issue 4, 79010020

The information provided verbally, or in this document or as a Free Application

Suggestion is of an illustrative nature and is supplied without charge. It does not form
any contract or intended contract with the user. No liability in negligence will arise from
the construction of any project based on such information or material. Final
determination of the suitability of any information or material for the use contemplated
and the manner of use is the sole responsibility of the user and the user must assume all
risk and liability in connection therewith.