Polyester geogrids used to build large retaining walls

ML Ingenieria | México, D.F.

Recently, this company bought inexpensive land in order to build houses for its employees. However, the land had very irregular topography, with huge level differences. This project, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award in the geosynthetic projects category of the 2007 International Achievement Awards, used special polyester geogrids to build some of the largest retaining walls ever constructed in the capital of Guerrero State, México—walls more than 300m long, and 7m to 12m high. The geogrids were placed in layers and filled with compacted ground along the whole anchorage length. Later, the concrete foundation block was set into the system through tablets and staples, providing the correct alignment for the pieces. The concrete block finishing gives the walls an aesthetic appearance and a comfortable feel for the inhabitants.