Global Synthetics Wins International Award

Global Synthetics has been recognised for its effective geosynthetic solution for one of the largest reinforced earth embankment in the southern hemisphere.

The 2021 International Achievement Award for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications is organised by Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Global Synthetics recently received an Outstanding Achievement Award for its Eton Range project which was recognised in the competition’s roadways and infrastructure category, part of a larger award category for excellence in geosynthetics.

IFAI received a total of 223 entries from 14 countries, with the winners selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function – all of which were key indicators of success for the complex Peak Downs Highway project.

The winning project

The project involved realigning and widening an existing 2-lane section of the Peak Downs Highway near Mackay QLD. The existing alignment featured tight corners and a steep gradient which would be updated to a 4-lane dual-carriageway, along with a partial realignment to reduce the grade from 11.5% to 7.5%.

The most critical part of this project involved the construction of a reinforced earth embankment to widen part of the existing range, whilst keeping the road open while carrying out the works. This embankment is 780 metres long and 45 metres tall at its highest point, making it the largest in the southern hemisphere.

The final solution selected was a series of geogrid soil reinforced embankments to achieve a relatively flat finished road level. However, with such complex terrain challenges, this $189 million project demanded many years of investigations and a series of detailed field trials to ensure the final products would perform as expected.

Partnering with site engineers and the construction team, we have been involved in this project since the early design and testing stages. Our engineering team were also involved in trial installations whilst the complex geotechnical challenges were being worked through.

To verify the design assumptions, on-site full-scale field trials and tests were conducted to confirm the field performance and design values for ACEGrid® geogrid in this unique location. These trials and field tests helped to establish a suitable construction methodology, enabling the final installation to progress without incident.

Global Synthetics were involved in this landmark project from the early design and trial phases, right through to the final construction phase. To be recognised internationally for our involvement in this complex and challenging project is a great achievement.

(Incidentally, the overall winner of the geosynthetic award also showcases the ACEGrid® product; a testament to the quality and versatility of this range of high-quality range of geotextiles and geogrids.)

Click here for the full award details. https://iaa.ifai.com/awards/largest-geogrid-reinforced-embankment-in-the-southern-hemisphere/