What are the Pros and Cons of Using Gravel Grids? | Ask WA Rock

This article is the second in a three-part series about gravel grids:

Shuangcheng New Material supply professional and honest service.

• “What are Gravel Grids?”
• “What are the Pros and Cons of Gravel Grids?” (this article)
• “How Do I Pick a Gravel Grid Product?”

In this article, we go in depth about the pros and cons of using gravel grids.

The Benefits of Using Gravel Grids (Pros)

In our research, many manufacturers made similar claims about gravel grids. We included some of these claims and a few observations of our own.

Gravel grids add structural support to gravel surfaces, preventing issues like gravel migration and rutting.

Typically gravel surfaces must be top-dressed with new gravel and/or regraded periodically. Gravel grids hold gravel in place, preventing the migration of the top layer of gravel laterally (sideways) as well as down into the gravel base or subgrade. Rutting is prevented as a result. These benefits lead to longer-lasting surfaces and lower maintenance costs.

Gravel grids can reduce the amount of gravel needed on a project and the depth of excavation required.

Gravel grids combined with gravel can have the same structural strength as a deep layer of gravel. For example, one manufacturer claimed that 1″ of gravel contained in their gravel grid system is equal in strength to a 3″-4″ of gravel layer. Other manufacturers made similar claims.

As a result, less gravel may be required to build the base and fill the grid when compared to a traditional gravel surface. Less gravel means less excavation, leading to saved time and money.

Gravel grids can create a permeable driving surface.

Permeable surfaces allow water to drain through and seep back into the water table rather than draining off the sides of the project area. Commercial gravel grids can even help control stormwater infiltration and create water storage.

Gravel grids can maximize the amount of driving surface on a property without running afoul of paving restrictions.

Some municipalities restrict how much impervious (non-draining) paving can be done on a property. Gravel grids can skirt this issue by providing permeable surfaces that are also drivable. This can eliminate the need for large, expensive drainage systems or retention ponds.

Some gravel grids meet accessibility standards.

The ADA defines an accessible surface as “stable, firm, and slip resistant.” Some brands have test data to demonstrate how their system meets this standard.

Gravel grids can give patios, walkways, and driveways a neat, uniform appearance.

Grids typically require clean crushed rock (gravel without fines). This results in a cleaner, more appealing look than a gravel surface built with minus crushed rock (gravel with fines).

Gravel grids can reduce driveway dust.

Because the cells are usually filled with a clean gravel, less fines may become airborne during dry weather.

Gravel grids may be more “green” than asphalt or concrete.

Some manufacturers claim that gravel grids are a greener alternative to asphalt and concrete, pointing to the use of recycled or recyclable plastics; the longevity of their materials; and the projected lifespan of the completed surfaces compared to typical gravel roads. The permeable nature of gravel grids also reduces the footprint of the paving surface. Additionally, some manufacturers claim that their systems naturally filter water before it passes back into the water table.

The Challenges of Using Gravel Grids (Cons)

Gravel grids require precise installation.

While some manufacturers claim that installing gravel grids is quick and easy, the reality is that the installation process takes time and attention to detail. Excerpts from the GeoPave and Gravelpave² installation guides are shown below to give insight into the installation process.

One Seattle-based landscaper who works with a rolled mat product said, “A lot more care goes into installing it.”

The basics of installation for each grid system are the same: the project area must be excavated, leveled, and compacted. Then most systems require a gravel base to be installed, leveled, and compacted. The gravel grid system is laid out on top of the gravel base and filled with rock.

Some systems require additional steps, including the following:

• Staking. Some gravel grid systems must be staked in place regardless of the grade (e.g., BaseCore, GroundGrid, EZ Roll, Gravelpave²). Most systems must be staked in place on steeper slopes.

• Clipping or stapling. Some gravel grid systems require panels to be stapled together (e.g., GroundGrid) or clipped together with special accessories (e.g., BaseCore, GeoPave).

• Cutting. Gravel grids may need to be cut to fit the shape of the project area using a saw or shears.

• Installing additional layers of material. Some gravel grid manufacturers recommend the installation of a geotextile layer between the subbase and gravel base or between the gravel base and gravel grid.

With all of these steps in mind, you can see how installing a gravel grid can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Most gravel grids require permeable rock products, which are typically more expensive per ton than minus rock products.

A typical gravel driveway is built with one or more layers of minus rock products—for example, 1¼” minus for the base layer and 5/8” minus for the top layer.

On the other hand, most grid systems are built with a base layer of clean gravel, ranging from ¼” clean to 1½” clean. The top layer, aka the infill, is usually a clean gravel ranging from 1/8” to 1½” clean.

Clean rock products are generally more expensive due to the processing and resources required to remove the fines. Some customers may also choose to use a decorative gravel for the infill (e.g., salt and pepper granite, marble chips, rainbow rock), which will be even more expensive than a construction-grade gravel.

Gravel grids can be expensive, especially for large projects.

Of the brands we surveyed, prices ranged as followed:

• $0.46–$2.52 per square foot for collapsible panel-style gravel grids
• $2.85–$4.95 per square foot for rolled mat-style gravel grids
• $1.81–$5.15 per square foot for paver tile-style gravel grids

Keep in mind that these prices don’t include the cost of accessories like clips, stakes, edging, and geotextiles. These prices also don’t include shipping or tax, potential labor costs, or potential equipment or tool rentals.

To give a better of idea of the true cost of each system, we created a chart that compares each brand’s cost per square foot with the preparation and materials required.

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If you want to learn more, please visit our website Plastic Geogrid Mesh.

To get a more accurate picture of the total cost of each gravel grid system, it’s important to examine the installation guide of your chosen product to determine all of the materials and tools you will need. You can use our guide to estimate the volume of gravel you’ll need.

Gravel grids are low-maintenance—but not no-maintenance.

In order to hide the cell structure completely, an extra layer of gravel must be spread on top of the grid, a process known as top-dressing. This means that there will be some degree of loose gravel migrating on the surface that needs to be swept back in place and/or topped off regularly.

Although gravel grids prevent rutting and potholes, these issues can still occur. Cells may need to be topped off with gravel occasionally. In the case of potholes, sections of grid must be emptied and removed to address problems with the gravel base or subbase.

You will also need to clear debris like leaves and trash to preserve the permeability of the surface.

Lifting and buckling can occur when a product is pushed past its limits.

Gravel grids may lift out of place, buckle, or warp when a product is pushed past its limits. For example, a local dealer told us that his clients used a light-duty product but drove heavy equipment on it, resulting in the product lifting and becoming wavy.

Improper installation can cause similar issues.

Not all products have the data to back up their claims.

One thing became clear when conducting research for this article: robust products cost more money. There are many knockoff products on the market that are much cheaper than the competition. But these brands may lack installation guides, test data, and customer support. They may also have issues with material composition and construction.

Here are examples of concerning issues we found:

• VEVOR and Vodaland generics had no detailed installation guides or test data on their websites.
• Vodaland claimed on their website to have case studies to back up their product, but the case-studies link led to a blog.
• The GRAVALOCK website had many issues, including calling a mallet a “gum hammer,” using nonsensical phrases, and misspelling the customer service multiple times. A customer rep responded to our call but gave us an address that didn’t work.

The moral of the story: make sure the data backs up the claims.

This article does not represent an endorsement of any brand and is meant for educational purposes only. There is a possibility of errors in the data. If you notice any errors, please send us a note through our contact form.

Check out other helpful articles on our blog:

Geogrid is an essential geosynthetic material utilized for soil reinforcement and similar applications. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and effectiveness of various geotechnical projects, setting it apart from other geosynthetic materials. Geogrids are commonly employed as reinforcement elements for reinforced soil structures or as a strengthening mechanism for composite materials. They offer unique capabilities and properties that contribute to the overall stability, durability, and load-bearing capacity of the engineered structures.

As the leading geogrid manufacturer and supplier, BPM Geosynthetics offers geogrid in custom size at best factory price. In this article, let us explore the definition, features and applications of geogrid from the manufacturer’s view.

1. What Is Geogrid?

Geogrid is a geosynthetic material composed of a grid-like structure made from polymers such as polypropylene, polyester, or HDPE. It is used in civil engineering and construction projects to reinforce and stabilize soils and fill materials. Geogrids have high tensile strength and stiffness, distributing loads effectively and preventing soil movement and deformation. They come in different configurations, including square, rectangular, or triangular apertures, and can be uniaxial or biaxial.

Geogrids play a vital role in improving soil stability, preventing erosion, and enhancing the overall structural integrity of various geotechnical applications. They are commonly employed in reinforcing retaining walls, slopes, embankments, roadways, parking lots, and other structures. By providing increased tensile strength and confinement, geogrids contribute to the long-term performance and durability of geotechnical projects, reducing maintenance needs and extending the service life of the structures.

2. What Are Benefits Of Geogrid?

Geogrids offer several benefits in geotechnical and civil engineering applications. Here are some key advantages of using geogrids:

2.1 Enhanced Soil Stability

Geogrids reinforce soils by providing them with increased tensile strength and stiffness. This reinforcement effectively prevents soil deformation, settlement, and lateral movement, improving overall stability and load-bearing capacity.

2.2 High Strength

It has high strength, small creep, adapts to various environmental soils, and can fully meet the use of tall retaining walls in high-grade highways.

2.3 Improved Bearing Capacity

By efficiently distributing loads, geogrids enhance the bearing capacity of weak or poorly compacted soils. This allows for the construction of structures on challenging soil conditions without the need for extensive soil excavation or replacement.

2.4 Stability Foundation

It can effectively improve the interlocking and interlocking effects of the reinforced bearing surface, greatly enhance the bearing capacity of the foundation, effectively restrain the lateral displacement of the soil, and enhance the stability of the foundation.

2.5 Cost-Effectiveness

Utilizing geogrids can result in cost savings during construction projects. They allow for the use of locally available or lower-quality fill materials, reducing the reliance on expensive imported materials. Geogrids also minimize excavation and soil replacement requirements, saving both time and resources.

2.6 Easy Installation

Geogrids are lightweight and easy to handle, simplifying the installation process. They can be quickly rolled out, positioned, and secured, minimizing labor and installation time.

2.7 Long-Term Performance

It is more suitable for deep-sea operations and embankment reinforcement, and fundamentally solves the technical problems of low strength, poor corrosion resistance, and short service life caused by long-term erosion of seawater by gabions made of other materials. They exhibit excellent resistance to degradation, ensuring long-term structural integrity and performance.

3. What Are Types of Geogrid?

Geogrids can be classified into different types based on their material composition, aperture configuration, and reinforcement characteristics. Here are some common types of geogrids:

3.1 Plastic Geogrids

The plastic geogrid is stretched to form a square or rectangular polymer mesh, which can be either unidirectional or bidirectional depending on the stretching direction during manufacture. It punches holes in extruded polymer sheets (the raw materials are mostly polypropylene or high-density polyethylene), and then performs directional stretching under heating conditions. One-way stretch grating is only made by stretching along the length direction of the plate; two-way stretch grating is made by continuing to stretch the one-way stretched grating in the direction perpendicular to its length.

3.2 Steel Plastic Geogrid

Steel-plastic geogrid is made of high-strength steel wire (or other fibers), which is specially treated with polyethylene (PE) and other additives, and is extruded into a composite high-strength tensile strip with a rough surface. pattern, it is a high-strength reinforced geotechnical belt. From this single belt, weaved or sandwiched at a certain distance vertically and horizontally, and formed by welding the intersection points using special fusion welding technology to strengthen bonding, it is a reinforced geogrid.

3.3 Fiberglass Geogrid

Fiberglass geogrid is a mesh structure material made of glass fiber using a certain weaving process. In order to protect the glass fiber and improve the overall performance, it is a geocomposite material that has undergone a special coating process. The main component of glass fiber is: silicon oxide, which is an inorganic material. Its physical and chemical properties are extremely stable, and it has high strength, high modulus, high wear resistance and excellent cold resistance, no long-term creep; thermal stability It has good performance; the network structure enables the aggregates to be interlocked and restricted; it improves the load-bearing capacity of the asphalt mixture. Because the surface is coated with special modified asphalt, it has dual composite properties, which greatly improves the wear resistance and shearing capacity of the geogrid.

3.4 Polyester Fiber Warp Knitted Geogrid

Polyester fiber warp-knitted geogrid uses high-strength polyester fiber as raw material. Using a warp-knitted directional structure, the warp and weft yarns in the fabric are not bent to each other. The intersection points are bundled with high-strength fiber filaments to form a strong bonding point and give full play to its mechanical properties. High-strength polyester fiber warp-knitted geogrid The grid has high tensile strength, low elongation force, high tear resistance, small vertical and horizontal strength difference, UV aging resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, light weight, strong interlocking force with soil or gravel, and is good for reinforcing soil Shear resistance and reinforcement play a significant role in improving the integrity and load capacity of the soil.

4. What Are Differences of Plastic vs Steel Plastic vs Fiberglass vs Polyester Warp Knitted Polyester Geogrids?

Geogrids can be categorized into plastic, steel, fiberglass, and polyester warp knitted polyester types, each with distinct characteristics.

Plastic geogrids, made from materials like polypropylene or HDPE, offer high tensile strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for soil stabilization and retaining walls. Steel geogrids, composed of interconnected steel wires or strips, provide exceptional load-bearing capacity and are commonly used in heavy-duty applications such as pavements and mining. Fiberglass geogrids feature woven or knitted fiberglass yarns, offering high strength, resistance to degradation, and stability, making them ideal for road construction and asphalt overlays. Polyester warp knitted polyester geogrids, knitted with high-strength polyester yarns, provide excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and minimal creep, often utilized in soil reinforcement and slope stabilization projects.

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