Geotrel™ wire mesh facing MSE walls with geosynthetic reinforcements

Geotrel is a solution used for the construction of mechanically stabilized earth walls (MSE). It consists of stacked welded wire elements that serve as the facing of an engineered soil volume.

The soil volume consists of a layered matrix of high-strength geosynthetic “strip” soil reinforcements and compacted select backfill. The cornerstone of Geoquest’s innovation and R&D lies in our wide selection of industry-certified geosynthetic soil strip reinforcements, welded wire facing elements and connections. Our professional engineers work with you in analyzing your specific project details to develop the optimal design to meet your requirements.

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Building in tight spaces

Managing time and budget

Complex sites conditions

For instance, based on the characteristics of the intended backfill to be used, load factors, required service life and other considerations, engineers select from our four main categories of geosynthetic soil reinforcing strips:

GeoStrap: coated polyester (PET) strips without high-adherence edges, best for low pH backfill
HA GeoStrap: coated polyester (PET) strips with high-adherence edges, best for low pH backfill
EcoStrap: coated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) strips without high-adherence edges, best for high pH backfill
HA EcoStrap: coated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) strips with high-adherence edges, best for high pH backfill

From the four reinforcing strip categories listed above, engineers optimize the design even further by selecting among various intermediate grades in terms of strip strength (25kN to 100kN), and density (5mm to 9mm).

The welded wire facing elements are also optimized in terms of variable bar diameters and grid spacings. Engineers can select between galvanized facings and hardware or ungalvanized steel based on the required service life and environmental conditions.

Applications for GeoTrel

Geotrel is used to build both permanent and temporary civil structures. Some examples of common applications:

Natural risks protection: Geotrel barriers are well known for constructing rock fall and avalanche protection. These are reliable structures that permit both high energy levels and multiple impacts to be controlled.
Industrial environment: used widely for building crusher pocket walls, haul roads and bridges, industrial platforms, and tunnel collars walls.
Landscaping and terraces: Geotrel offers owners and developers an attractive alternative to concrete for building permanent residential or urban retaining walls and vegetated slope applications.
Temporary retaining walls: nearly all applications that involve temporary earth retention and embankment stabilization can be carried out with GeoTrel solutions. In case of phased construction, the temporary Geotrel structure can remain in place and be buried after functioning as a stable retaining wall during the first phase of construction.

Preload embankments

Builders have found Geotrel to be an excellent solution for building temporary stabilized reinforced soil embankments needed to induce accelerated settlements of foundations.