Geotextile and Geogrid Solutions: The Future of Sustainable Infrastructure

The Project

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East from Cheltenham to Box Hill will connect major employment, health, education, and commerce destinations in Melbourne’s east and southeast. As part of the project, the new underground station at Burwood will deliver better access to one of Australia’s largest universities and connect locals to Melbourne’s train network. Burwood station is being constructed on a brownfield site and will be 18m deep, with two levels and a 94m long platform.

Burwood Station - Concept Image

The Challenge

The site required a stable construction surface at ground level achieving a CBR of at least 5% for heavy machinery to access the site and dig the access shaft for tunnel boring machines. However, the granular material required to construct the working platform is costly to procure and laborious to install. Furthermore, the project’s residential location meant repeated heavy goods vehicle movements to and from the site, with their associated noise, pollution, and strain on the public roads, was undesirable. In addition, the contractor Delcon Civil needed a solution for areas of soft ground encountered during construction of the working platform.

Our Solution

Recognising the need for an effective geogrid to reinforce the working platform while minimising the quantity of imported granular material, Secugrid was the perfect choice. With its exceptional stress-strain behaviour at low elongation Secugrid prevents subgrade deformation and preserves the reinforced surface, even when subject to heavy plant and frequent trafficking.

Contractor Delcon Civil worked with the geotechnical consultant to determine that ground conditions were suitable by proof rolling and dynamic cone penetration (DCP) testing before installing 8,550m2 Secugrid across the site. Where areas of soft ground were encountered, Delcon Civil worked with Global Synthetics to determine that Geofirma® AS200B non-woven geotextile would address the weak subgrade.

Both products were available from stock allowing next day delivery to site. Delcon Civil was pleased with the product supplied and the service received, enabling tight project timescales to be met.

If you would like more information or assistance tailored to your specific needs, our team of experts are on hand ready to support you in making your project a resounding success.