Methods for stabilizing geotechnical environments with a substantially planar geogrid

Abstract

Aspects of a method for stabilizing geotechnical environments involves the use of a substantially planar geogrid featuring primary and secondary nodes, non-continuous ribs terminating at secondary nodes, continuous ribs intersecting at primary nodes, and a compressible cellular layer. The method includes trapping varied aggregate within confinement elements formed by the nodes and ribs, and compressing the aggregate against the compressible cellular layer. This compression embeds the aggregate into the cellular layer, effectively locking it in place and enhancing the stability of the geotechnical environment. The design of the geogrid and the interaction between the aggregate and the compressible layer provide improved load distribution and resistance to environmental stresses and trafficking.

Therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for stabilizing geotechnical environments, comprising:
 providing a substantially planar geogrid, comprising:
 primary and secondary nodes; 
 non-continuous ribs that terminate at the secondary nodes; 
 continuous ribs that cross through the primary nodes; and 
 a compressible cellular layer; 
   trapping varied aggregate in confinement elements, wherein the confinement elements comprise the primary and secondary nodes and the non-continuous and continuous ribs; and   compressing by the varied aggregate, the compressible cellular layer, wherein compressing locks in aggregate by embedding into the compressible cellular layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressing compresses the cellular layer up to 0.9 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible cellular layer comprises a plurality of voids. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible cellular layer has a minimum thickness of 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible cellular layer comprises Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the non-continuous ribs passing through the primary nodes to terminate at the secondary nodes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising increasing surface energy of the substantially planar geogrid through the compressible cellular layer by creating a hydrophilic response. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ) increases surface area of the substantially planar geogrid through fissures in the Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising irregular surface patterns in the compressible cellular layer, wherein the irregular surface patterns provide friction and restraint of movement of the varied aggregate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying additives to a surface of the substantially planar geogrid, wherein additives comprise at least one of Calcium Carbonate CaCO 3 , hydrous magnesium silicates, CaSiO 3 , Calcium Sulfate, diatomaceous earth, titanium dioxide, nano-fillers, multi-wall carbon nanotube, metal fibers, glass fibers, dolomite, silica, mica, or aluminum hydrate. 
     
     
         11 . A method for stabilizing roadways, comprising:
 providing a substantially planar geogrid, comprising:
 an inner hexagon and an outer hexagon; 
 non-continuous ribs that terminate at the inner hexagon; 
 continuous ribs that cross through the outer hexagon and do not bisect the inner hexagon; and 
 a compressible cellular layer. 
   trapping varied aggregate in confinement elements, wherein the confinement elements comprise the inner hexagon and the outer hexagon and the non-continuous and continuous ribs; and   compressing by the varied aggregate, the compressible cellular layer, wherein compressing locks in aggregate by embedding into the compressible cellular layer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressing compresses the cellular layer up to 0.9 millimeters. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible cellular layer comprises a plurality of voids. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible cellular layer has a minimum thickness of 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible cellular layer comprises Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the non-continuous ribs passing through the outer hexagon to terminate at the inner hexagon. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising increasing surface energy of the substantially planar geogrid through the compressible cellular layer by creating a hydrophilic response. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ) increases surface area of the substantially planar geogrid through fissures in the Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising irregular surface patterns in the compressible cellular layer, wherein the irregular surface patterns provide friction and restraint of movement of the varied aggregate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising applying additives to a surface of the substantially planar geogrid, wherein additives comprise at least one of Calcium Carbonate CaCO 3 , hydrous magnesium silicates, CaSiO 3 , Calcium Sulfate, diatomaceous earth, titanium dioxide, nano-fillers, multi-wall carbon nanotube, metal fibers, glass fibers, dolomite, silica, mica, or aluminum hydrate.