ParaProducts’ Alkaline Resilience

In the realm of civil engineering and geotechnical solutions, understanding and mitigating the impacts of soil conditions are crucial for the sustainability and success of any project. Highly alkaline soils, with pH levels exceeding 9, represent one such challenge, known for accelerating the degradation of materials. These conditions can arise from both natural causes, such as the presence of certain minerals or geological formations, and human activity, often occurring in projects where materials such as lime or cement are added to the soil to improve its mechanical properties, inadvertently raising the soil’s pH and creating a more corrosive environment for geosynthetic products.

Spanning over three years, the initiative focused on evaluating ParaProducts that had been deployed in the field for up to two decades. Concentrated in the UK and Italy, these projects provided a real-world backdrop to assess the geogrids’ performance in alkaline conditions, where soil pH was initially set at a formidable 12. The campaign entailed the careful exhumation of materials from several job sites, with subsequent analysis conducted by accredited laboratories. The British Board of Agrément (BBA) supervised these tests, ensuring rigorous evaluation standards.

The campaign’s findings were striking. Despite the high alkalinity, which could potentially compromise material integrity, the tested ParaProducts exhibited outstanding durability. The residual tensile strength of these materials impressively exceeded 95% of their certified characteristic value. For instance, in both the Moodiesburn project in Glasgow and the Tangenziale di Forlì in Italy, the geogrids not only met but significantly surpassed the demanding requirements set for geosynthetic materials.
Such results are particularly illuminating, given the high pH conditions encountered at these sites due to the use of lime and cement for soil stabilization. These outcomes underscore the efficacy of ParaProducts in maintaining structural integrity and performance, even in environments that have undergone chemical alterations to enhance soil mechanics.

The ParaProduct High Alkalinity Testing Initiative underscores Maccaferri’s unwavering dedication to innovation and quality. As shared Giulia Lugli  during a specialized webinar, this initiative provides a roadmap for future projects, illustrating the adaptability and resilience of Maccaferri’s solutions in the face of geotechnical challenges.

With a legacy of pioneering engineering solutions, Maccaferri remains committed to pushing the boundaries of geosynthetic performance. The geotechnical community eagerly awaits further advancements from Maccaferri, promising to redefine durability and reliability standards in the industry.

Stay tuned for more updates on Maccaferri’s cutting-edge developments in geotechnical engineering.