Tensar’s route to Euro 2012

Tensar International’s TriAx design solution has been used in the sub-base for the 17.9km Gdansk bypass in Poland. TriAx is said to be helping to combat the differential settlement across the poor soil of the Wistula river delta and to minimise frost heave caused by Poland’s severe winters. TriAx is said to be helping to combat the differential settlement across the poor soil of the Wistula river delta and to minimise frost heave caused by Poland’s severe winters.
July 20, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

Tensar International’s TriAx design solution has been used in the sub-base for the 17.9km Gdansk bypass in Poland.

TriAx is said to be helping to combat the differential settlement across the poor soil of the Wistula river delta and to minimise frost heave caused by Poland’s severe winters.

The bypass is being built as part of a programme of infrastructure improvements, including those for this month’s Euro 2012 football tournament being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

“The ground has a high water level and the typical weak organic consistency of estuarine silt deposits,” said Dr Jacek Kawalec, 340 Tensar’s Eastern European business manager. “While the main support is achieved through concrete piling, the consulting engineers were concerned to reduce the effects of any possible differential settlement.

 “They asked us to provide a Tensar TriAx design solution to mechanically stabilise the sub-base of the road, so minimising any differential settlement.”

Kawalec said TriAx is quick and easy to install, and requires less aggregate than conventional road design. It also provides protection against any movement as a result of the sub-zero winter temperatures which last an average of three months.

The Gdansk bypass comprises two 3.5m wide lanes in each direction, plus 2.5m of emergency lane at each shoulder; the minimum crown width is 27m. As well as the supporting piles, vertical drains and additional embankments were employed where required. TriAx was employed across the whole width and length of the route.

The new road, started in 2009, connects Poland’s major highway (N7 to Warsaw) with the A1 motorway, the N6 and access to Gdansk harbour. The three-year US$345.9million (€272million) construction project is being co-financed by the Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych I Autostrad and the EU Cohesion Fund.

“Traffic studies indicate that approximately 30,000 vehicles a day currently use existing routes, and estimate that there will be a reduction of 12-14,000 vehicles on these congested roads, once the new route is built,” said Kawalec.
Asphalt milling, paving & compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Advances in geosynthetics boost soil stabilisation
    May 3, 2012
    Special fabrics are often used in civil engineering works, including highways, to make soil stronger Geosynthetics have been used in roadway construction for thousands of years with natural materials being mixed with soil to improve quality and stability. While today's products are much more sophisticated, the principles are the same. For example, when used with soil, geotextiles (permeable fabrics) can filter, separate, reinforce, protect, or drain, and they are often made from polypropylene or polyester,
    Read More
  • Advances in geosynthetics boost soil stabilisation
    March 13, 2012
    Special fabrics are often used in civil engineering works, including highways, to make soil stronger Geosynthetics have been used in roadway construction for thousands of years with natural materials being mixed with soil to improve quality and stability. While today's products are much more sophisticated, the principles are the same. For example, when used with soil, geotextiles (permeable fabrics) can filter, separate, reinforce, protect, or drain, and they are often made from polypropylene or polyester,
    Read More
  • Poland's A1 motorway progressing well
    February 9, 2012
    The second major phase of a north-south motorway in Poland is well underway. It will reduce congestion and improve safety as Patrick Smith reports Before the whistle blows to herald the start of Euro 2012, Poland's main seaport Gdansk will boast new roads, a new airport and a new stadium. The historic city in the north of the country on the Baltic coast will be one of the venues for football's 14th European Championship, being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
    Read More
  • Innovative reinforcement for weak roads
    May 9, 2012
    An innovative solution was put forward to support slip roads on a Dutch motorway. Patrick Smith reports. The 2010 opening of the A7 motorway extension on the southern ring road of the city of Sneek, The Netherlands, brings an end to local traffic misery. By using innovative Tensar Geocell Foundation Mattress technology over weak estuarine clay, MNO-Vervat Noord, the main contractor, constructed a key junction and its slip roads in weeks instead of months, with considerable cost savings.
    Read More

Highlighted Content