Sustainable Geosystems in Civil Engineering Applications
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Geosystems Report, February 2010 Sustainable geosystems in civil engineering applications Geosystems provide alternatives to some standard materials and designs used by civil engineers. This guidance document explains what geosystems are, and how they can be used to provide sustainable and cost effective solutions. Project code: MRF116-001 Research date: 2008-2009 Date: February 2010 WRAP’s vision is a world without waste, where resources are used sustainably. We work with businesses and individuals to help them reap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way. Find out more at www.wrap.org.uk Prepared by: Capita Symonds on behalf of John Barritt, Banbury, WRAP Document reference: WRAP, 2009, Sustainable Geosystems in Civil Engineering Authors: Niall Corney, Patrick Cox, Sophie Norgate, Andrew Thrower Front cover photography: A30 Bodmin Bypass, Holywell Embankment; Formed of a geogrid wraparound face Geosystem using site won fills Photo courtesy of Alfred McAlpine / Huesker Ltd. WRAP and Capita Symonds believe the content of this report to be correct as at the date of writing. However, factors such as prices, levels of recycled content and regulatory requirements are subject to change and users of the report should check with their suppliers to confirm the current situation. In addition, care should be taken in using any of the cost information provided as it is based upon numerous project-specific assumptions (such as scale, location, tender context, etc.). The report does not claim to be exhaustive, nor does it claim to cover all relevant products and specifications available on the market. While steps have been taken to ensure accuracy, WRAP cannot accept responsibility or be held liable to any person for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with this information being inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. It is the responsibility of the potential user of a material or product to consult with the supplier or manufacturer and ascertain whether a particular product will satisfy their specific requirements. The listing or featuring of a particular product or company does not constitute an endorsement by WRAP and WRAP cannot guarantee the performance of individual products or materials. This material is copyrighted. It may be reproduced free of charge subject to the material being accurate and not used in a misleading context. The source of the material must be identified and the copyright status acknowledged. This material must not be used to endorse or used to suggest WRAP’s endorsement of a commercial product or service. For more detail, please refer to WRAP’s Terms & Conditions on its web site: www.wrap.org.uk Executive summary This guide is designed to help everyone involved in developing construction solutions (clients, designers, contractors and regulators) to understand when, where and how ground engineering Geosystems can provide cost-effective and programme-efficient solutions which simultaneously cut both materials wastage and the carbon footprint of construction. The extent of the opportunity Around 20 million tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation are sent to landfill annually in England1. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is actively involved in the Waste Strategy to halve the amount of waste sent to landfill by 2012. Increased in-situ treatment of soils and increased recovery of excavation waste (both achievable through the wider use of Geosystems) can assist in meeting this target. Geosystems can contribute solutions to ground engineering challenges that are significantly more environmentally efficient and cost effective than traditional approaches, particularly those reliant on concrete. The construction of retaining walls provides clear illustrations of this. This report defines and describes Geosystems, and sets out how to use them. Illustrative case studies are provided, to show and quantify their potential environmental, financial and programme benefits. 1 Source: Strategy for Sustainable Construction June 2008 - BERR Sustainable geosystems in civil engineering applications 1 Contents 1.0 Scope of Guidance Document ..................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.0 Introduction to Geosystems ....................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Definitions .......................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 History ............................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Geosystems explained ....................................................................................................... 12 2.3.1 Soil ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.2 Geo-components................................................................................................... 12 2.3.3 Engineering Input (in this context referring primarily to design and technical expertise) 14 2.4 Current use of Geosystems in the UK .................................................................................. 16 3.0 The Business Case .................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Financial benefits .............................................................................................................. 18 3.2 Environmental benefits ...................................................................................................... 18 3.3 Socio-economic aspects ..................................................................................................... 19 3.4 Policy and legislation ......................................................................................................... 19 4.0 Application Areas ...................................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Steep Slopes and Retaining Walls ....................................................................................... 19 4.2 Ground Stability Applications .............................................................................................. 22 4.3 Road and Pavement Applications ........................................................................................ 24 4.4 Other Application Areas ..................................................................................................... 26 5.0 Selection of Appropriate Geosystems ...................................................................................... 26 5.1 Technical Considerations .................................................................................................... 27 5.2 Economic Considerations ................................................................................................... 27 5.3 Environmental Considerations............................................................................................. 28 6.0 Sustainability and Geosystems ................................................................................................ 28 6.1 Evaluating the Carbon Footprint ......................................................................................... 28 Additional resources ............................................................................................................................. 30 Figures Figure 1 Gabion retaining wall [11] .............................................................................................................. 7 Figure 2 Geogrid reinforcement [19] ............................................................................................................ 7 Figure 3 Segmental block retaining wall [11] ................................................................................................ 7 Figure 4 Timber crib retaining wall [15] ........................................................................................................ 8 Figure 5 High strength uniaxial geogrid [9] ................................................................................................... 8 Figure 6 Gabion retaining wall [11] .............................................................................................................. 8 Figure 7 Needle punched non-woven geotextile [18] ..................................................................................... 9 Figure 8 Steel strip reinforced wall system [17] ............................................................................................. 9 Figure 9 Example of a BBA Certificate [3] ................................................................................................... 10 Figure 10 Geotextile encased column [9].................................................................................................... 10 Figure 11 Geogrid with drainage channel [11] ............................................................................................ 11 Figure 12 Tri-axial geogrid for soil reinforcement [19] ................................................................................. 11 Figure 13 Geotubes used for coastal erosion and sludge drainage applications [18] ......................................