Reinforced earth structures

A reinforced soil structure is an earth embankment that can have very steep sides and it’s formed by combining a soil material, which has good intrinsic compressive load resistance, with a reinforcing geosynthetic which has excellent tensile resistance. This essentially results in a "composite material" offering superior performance, combining the unique properties of its component parts.

Usually, these are structures designed for the containment, stabilization and restoration of slopes, the construction of containment embankments (in river areas or in landfills) or road embankments.

To protect the aesthetic and functional value of reinforced soil structures, there are several functions that need to be fulfilled:

• Reinforcement: geosynthetic reinforcements (known as geogrids), embedded horizontally in the soil in successive layers, develop a tensional state of a tangential nature, as a result of friction, enabling the composite system to withstand far higher stress levels than the solid matrix (soil) could on its own.
• Erosion control: given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the problem of the top layer of soil being washed away, compounded by the lack of vegetation, puts the stability of the slope at risk. TeMa offers a range of synthetic and biodegradable products that encourage the establishment of vegetation.
• Drainage: drainage geocomposites carry water away, stopping it from weakening the structure.
• Shaping: thanks to special formwork you can choose the angle that best meets project requirements.