Reinforced stabilisation strip for reinforced embankment structures, with a functionalised casing

Abstract

The invention relates to a reinforced stabilisation strip ( 1 ) for reinforced embankment structures, comprising long reinforcing fibres ( 12 ) and a longitudinal casing ( 11 ) surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcing fibres ( 12 ), the casing ( 11 ) at least partially consisting of a functionalised polymer material ( 111 ) comprising a functionalised polyolefin. The invention also relates to a reinforced embankment structure ( 1 ) comprising such a stabilisation strip ( 1 ), and to a method for the production thereof.

1 . A reinforced stabilisation strip for reinforced embankment structures, comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being made at least partially from a functionalised polymeric material comprising a functionalised polyolefin. 
     
     
         2 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalised polyolefin comprises 0.01 wt. % to 45 wt. % functionalisation. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalised polymeric material comprises a mixture of non-functionalised polymer and functionalised polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 3 , wherein the mass ratio of functionalised polyolefin to non-functionalised polymer is between 1:9 and 10:0. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalised polymeric material has a functionalisation gradient with a maximum at contact with the reinforcement fibres and which decreases gradually and away from the reinforcement fibres. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalised polyolefin is a polyolefin substituted by a chemical element having a functional group chosen from mono- or di-carboxylic acid anhydrides or on which the chemical element has been grafted. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 6 , wherein the chemical element is a maleic anhydride or phthalic anhydride group or an acrylic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises a non-functionalised zone surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymeric material. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement fibres are made of a material chosen from polyvinyl alcohol, polyesters, silica glass, linear or aromatic polyamides and metals. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement fibres are in the form of threads, strands or cords; these threads, strands or cords being spun or braided. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilisation strip of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises at least one longitudinal edge free from reinforcement fibres and having notches. 
     
     
         12 . A stabilisation layer produced at least partly with stabilisation strips comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being made at least partially from a functionalised polymeric material comprising a functionalised polyolefin. 
     
     
         13 . The stabilisation layer of  claim 12 , in the form of a geogrid with a warp and a weft, the warp and the weft being partly composed of stabilisation strips, the warp and the weft being woven or superimposed one on the other. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilisation layer of  claim 13 , in which the stabilisation strips of the warp and weft are connected at certain intersection points by hot welding or adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         15 . A reinforced embankment structure comprising:
 fill; and   at least one stabilisation strip comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being made at least partially from a functionalised polymeric material comprising a functionalised polyolefin and/or at least one stabilisation layer produced at least partly with stabilisation strips comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being made at least partially from a functionalised polymeric material comprising a functionalised polyolefin, said at least one stabilisation strip and/or said at least one stabilisation layer being disposed substantially horizontally on one or more levels in the embankment.   
     
     
         16 . The reinforced embankment structure of  claim 15 , further comprising a facing and connectors for connecting at least some of the stabilisation strips to the facing. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a stabilisation strip comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being made at least partially from a functionalised polymeric material comprising a functionalised polyolefin, the method comprising:
 heating the functionalised polymeric material to at least the activation temperature of the functional group of the functionalised polyolefins; and   shaping the functionalised polymeric material around the reinforcement fibres in order to form the sheath surrounding or enclosing the reinforcement fibres thus obtaining the stabilisation strip.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 drawing the reinforcement fibres; shaping the functionalised polymeric material being carried out by extruding the functionalised polymeric material around the reinforcement fibres.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the method further comprises heating non-functionalised polymer and drawing the reinforcement fibres;   wherein shaping the functionalised polymeric material is carried out by co-extruding the functionalised polymeric material around the reinforcement fibres and the non-functionalised polymer around the functionalised polymeric material thus forming the non-functionalised zone of the sheath surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymeric material.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein drawing the reinforcement fibres is carried out as the sheath is extruded.