US 5,851,089 A · Composite reinforced structure including an integrated multi-layer geogrid and method of constructing the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a geogrid structure which is comprised of two or more layers of rigidly bonded flexible mesh structures. The mesh openings of each layer, without superimposing, overlay mesh openings of other layers, resulting in a geogrid structure which consists of small and large sized mesh openings. The smaller sized mesh openings are designed to reduce vertical migration of the smaller aggregate particles into the subgrade and to reduce pumping of the subgrade material into the aggregate layer. The rigid bonding of multiple layers of mesh structure provides a mechanism for transmission of tensile stress which is less dependent upon interlocking of aggregate particles. Furthermore, by bonding multiple layers of mesh structure, the number of tensile elements per unit area is increased, and as a result, the interaction of the geogrid with the fill material is enhanced. This increased interaction results in enhanced interlocking of aggregate particles and in increased frictional resistance of the geogrid structure for a variety of fill material. As a result, the geogrid structure of the present invention exhibits enhanced tensile stress transmission for a spectrum of high and low grade fill material.

Claims50

Dependent claims

A composite reinforced structure, comprising:

a mass of particulate material;
and
a geogrid, said geogrid having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising a plurality of layers of mesh structure, wherein each said layer is rigidly bonded to contiguous ones of the other layers of mesh structure at discrete points along each said layer in at least one direction, each said layer of mesh structure comprising substantially parallel oriented strands interconnected by substantially parallel transverse strands, said oriented strands and said transverse strands defining therebetween a plurality of mesh openings, each said layer having its respective mesh openings overlaying one or more mesh openings of the other layers;
wherein said geogrid is embedded in said mass of particulate material, such that a first portion of said mass of particulate material is above said geogrid, a second portion of said mass of particulate material is below said geogrid, and a third portion of said mass of particulate material is contained within said plurality of mesh openings defined by said geogrid, so that said mass of particulate material is in direct contact with said upper and lower surfaces of said geogrid and with portions of said geogrid defining said plurality of mesh openings;
whereby said geogrid distributes tensile stress to all of said portions of said mass of particulate material.

2 more elements

A method of constructing a composite reinforced structure, comprising:

providing a mass of particulate material;
providing a geogrid, said geogrid having an upper surface and an lower surface and comprising at least two layers of mesh structure extruded as a single unit, wherein each layer is rigidly bonded to a contiguous layer at discrete points therealong in at least one direction, each layer of mesh structure comprising substantially parallel oriented strands, said oriented strands interconnected by substantially parallel transverse strands, said oriented strands and said transverse strands defining therebetween a plurality of mesh openings, each layer having its respective mesh openings overlaying one or more mesh openings of the other layers;
and
embedding said geogrid in said mass of particulate material, such that a first portion of said mass of particulate material is above said geogrid, a second portion of said mass of particulate material is below said geogrid, and a third portion of said mass of particulate material is contained within said plurality of mesh openings defined by said geogrid, so that said mass of particulate material is in direct contact with said upper and lower surfaces of said geogrid and with portions of said geogrid defining said plurality of mesh openings;
whereby said geogrid distributes tensile stress to all of said portions of said mass of particulate material.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Composite reinforced structure including an integrated multi-layer geogrid and method of constructing the same

Life of this patent

Composite reinforced structure including an integrated multi-layer geogrid and method of constructing the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims50