Benefits of Using PET (Polyester) Geogrid for Retaining Wall Construction

Overview

Retaining walls are structures that help us reinforce earth and build structures on slopes or uneven terrain. Geogrids are polyester materials that help us build retaining walls (Mechanically Stabilized Earth MSE Walls) due to their strength and flexibility. 

In this blog, I walk you through:

• How you can use geogrids for retaining walls.
• The benefits of using geogrids for soil stabilisation.
• The types of retaining walls that geogrids can support. 

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Retaining walls are one of the most critical engineering marvels that help us create structures where we shouldn’t be able to. 

Whether it’s on hilltops or uneven terrains, in areas with heavy soil erosion rates, or around relatively unstable ground, retaining walls help us give a solid foundation to any structure.

However, traditional retaining walls suffer from a lot of problems. 

They are expensive to build, lack flexibility, and cannot be used efficiently in really steep areas. 

This is where geogrid retaining walls come in!

In this blog, I am going to walk you through why geogrids are quickly replacing traditional materials and methods of building retaining walls. 

Let’s dive in!

Geogrids for Retaining Wall Construction: Table of Contents

• What is a Retaining Wall?
• What are Geogrids?
• Why Use Geogrids for Retaining Wall Construction
• What Type of Restraining Walls Do Geogrids Support?
• Indonet: Your Reliable Geogrid Supplier
• Geogrids for Retaining Wall Construction: Table of Contents
  
  

What is a Retaining Wall?

A retaining wall is a strong, engineered structure whose main purpose is to help us construct buildings and structures on slopes.

You can see them supporting roadways or creating level gardens on slopes.

Retaining walls are primarily designed and engineered to resist the lateral pressure of the earth behind them.

They are the engineering marvels that allow us to create the most sprawling structures on challenging terrain. 

What are Geogrids?

Geogrids are synthetic mesh-like materials that are made from high-strength polymers like polyester (PET). 

Their open grid structure is designed to reinforce soil by locking in aggregate particles to create a stable composite mass.

For example, you can use PP Geogrids to stabilise soil structures and reinforce subgrade under your structures.

But why are more and more civil engineers turning to geogrids for constructing retaining walls?

Let’s find out.

Why Use Geogrids for Retaining Wall Construction

Integrating geogrids into your retaining wall design can offer you a great combination of technical and economic advantages over traditional methods like gravity or plain concrete walls.

Here are the five benefits you can expect from using geogrids for stabilising soil and constructing retaining walls:

1. Unmatched Strength & Stability

Geogrids reinforce the soil itself, creating a massive, stable block that distributes pressure.

This provides the retaining wall with far greater internal strength than, for example, a simple gravity wall relying only on its own weight.

2. Superior Cost-Effectiveness

By reinforcing the soil mass, geogrids reduce the need for expensive, thick concrete structures.

You can simply use on-site fill material to construct retaining walls.

This way, you can significantly slash project costs and massively decrease the overall weight of your structure.

3. Enables Taller, Steeper Walls

The internal reinforcement provided by geogrid layers makes it possible to construct tall, near-vertical walls that would be either impractical or unsafe with conventional unreinforced techniques.

Thus, geogrid soil stabilisation is not just an alternative you can use to replace existing techniques, but a method that is creating new possibilities for retaining wall construction.

4. Enhanced Flexibility & Durability

Unlike rigid concrete that can crack, geogrids are flexible. That is, they bend under pressure instead of withstanding it to a breaking point (like concrete).

Thus, they can easily deal with ground settlement and vibrations (for eg, from traffic) without compromising the structure’s integrity. 

5. Faster, Simpler Construction

The modular, layer-by-layer construction is straightforward.

This means it often requires less heavy machinery than pouring large concrete walls, leading to quicker project completion.

How Can You Create a Retaining Wall Using Geogrids?

First, let’s quickly understand how geogrid retaining walls are constructed. 

To build a geogrid retaining wall, layers of geogrid are placed horizontally between layers of soil and connected to the wall face.

This creates a single, massive reinforced block of earth that can resist the pressure from behind it.

Let me walk you through the layer-by-layer construction process:

1. Prepare the Foundation: A level and compacted base is prepared where the wall will stand. This ensures a stable footing for the entire structure.
   
   
2. Install the Facing: This is the first row of wall-facing units (like modular concrete blocks or stone), which is placed on the foundation.
   
   
3. Lay the Geogrid: A layer of geogrid is placed directly on top of this first row, extending horizontally back into the area to be filled.
   
   
4. Backfill and Compact: Soil or aggregate is poured over the geogrid and thoroughly compacted. The material locks into the geogrid’s apertures, creating a reinforced composite mass.
   
   
5. Repeat the Process: Steps 2-4 are repeated for each subsequent layer. The wall is thus built upward, with each new level of blocks connected to a new layer of geogrid, tying the entire structure together.
   
   

When this process is completed, you don’t just get a wall standing against the soil. 

What you get is a unified, mechanically stabilized earth structure where the wall and the reinforced soil work as one to provide exceptional strength and stability.

What Type of Retaining Walls Do Geogrids Support?

Geogrids are incredibly versatile.

This is also why they are the preferred reinforcement solution for a wide range of modern retaining wall systems.

They are primarily used in what are known as Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls.

That is, they integrate the wall face with the backfill soil to create a coherent, stable structure.

Let us quickly go through the common types of retaining walls that geogrids support:

1. Modular Block Walls

This is the most popular application for geogrids in landscaping and construction.

To create modular walls, geogrid layers are placed between layers of interlocking concrete blocks.

This helps you create strong (and often aesthetically pleasing) wall structures.

2. Gabion Walls

Geogrids can also be used to reinforce the soil behind gabion baskets (wire cages filled with stone).

Alternatively, if you want extra stability in tall structures, you can integrate geogrids straight into the design of the gabions themselves.

3. Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs)

Similar to modular blocks, these precast concrete units are specifically designed with lips or clips to hold geogrid layers securely between them.

This makes construction both efficient and highly robust.

However, you might need to work with one of the more reliable geogrid manufacturers in India (like us at Indonet Group) who can tailor the geogrids to the precast concrete units. 

4. Reinforced Soil Slopes

In addition to enabling the construction of retaining walls, geogrids are also essential for constructing steep, stable slopes.

This technique is widely used in highway embankments and landscaping because it helps us maximize usable space.

Simply put, if your wall system involves building up layers and has a facing that can be connected to reinforcement, geogrids are the best option that you can use to enhance its strength and stability.

Indonet: Your Reliable Geogrid Supplier

Through this blog, we have seen how and why geogrids are used to construct retaining walls. 

To briefly recap, they are strong and flexible: they can absorb pressure without letting the pressure overwhelm the entire structure. 

And if you are exploring the possibilities of integrating geogrids into your construction process, all you need is a reliable geogrid supplier.

That’s where we at Indonet come in!

We offer a wide range of PET geogrids that you can use to stabilise soft soil & slopes, and build reinforced retaining walls that will last a generation and beyond…

Connect with us today to find out how our geogrids can help you make your construction operations more efficient, cost-effective, and robust than ever before!

Geogrids for Retaining Wall Construction: FAQs

1. What is the primary function of a geogrid in a retaining wall?

A geogrid reinforces the soil by locking particles into its mesh, creating a single, stable mass that distributes pressure, making the geogrid retaining wall far stronger than an unreinforced one.

2. Can geogrids be used for applications other than walls?

Yes. Geogrid soil stabilization is crucial for strengthening weak ground under roadways, foundations, and steep slopes, preventing erosion and settlement beyond just wall construction.

3. Why should I choose Indian suppliers for geogrids?

Reputable geogrid manufacturers in India, like Indonet, offer high-quality, cost-effective products tailored to local soil conditions and project requirements, ensuring reliable performance and support.

4. Is a special design needed for a geogrid wall?

Absolutely: a proper geogrid retaining wall design is essential. To create it, you and your geogrid supplier should calculate the required geogrid strength and length based on wall height and soil pressure for a safe, stable structure.

5. What should I look for in geogrid suppliers?

Choose experienced geogrid manufacturers and suppliers who provide technical data sheets, project support, and quality-certified products to ensure your project’s long-term success and durability.