CIVILS, TUNNELS & EMBANKMENTS
Minimising the environmental impact of construction
Catherine Fyfe of Fiberweb Geosynthetics Ltd, now part of Polymer Group, Inc, describes its innovative geosynthetics.
T
erram is a market leader in the design and manufacture of innovative geosynthetics, providing a unique range of value-engineered solutions that help minimise the environmental impact of construction.
As well as permanent way geosynthetics, Terram produce Geocells: a cost-effective alternative to conventional earth retention structures used in rail applications.
Terram Geocell is a three dimensional structure that provides a blanket of ‘cells’ on the slope surface, which can contain a variety of infi ll materials to provide erosion control. It can be installed almost vertically to form an effective, economical earth retention structure, or used in horizontal layers to form a wall structure.
The most common application of Geocell in rail is slope erosion control. Once installed, a Terram Geocell provides immediate stability by confi ning the fi ll and greatly improves
resistance to wind and surface water run- off. With a topsoil fi ll, the stability is further enhanced as vegetation becomes established. The honeycomb of cells provides protection for the vegetation during the early, sensitive period of germination and growth where this would not otherwise be possible on traditional slopes.
A unique feature of Terram Geocell is the high water permeability from the geotextile. Whilst other cellular systems create drainage through holes in the material; Terram Geocell is able to provide this without compromising its structural integrity. High water permeability is important, as Geocells fabricated from impermeable materials suffer from wearing – water cascading down the slope from cell to cell – and this causes ongoing loss of soil.
As many variables affect the installation and performance of a slope-protection Geocell, including slope angle, slope stability, the infi ll
type,
rainfall levels etc, it is important that due consideration is given to all relevant criteria on a project by project basis.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: +441621874200 E:
info@terram.com
Quicker, cheaper stairways
Jeanette Edwards, marketing executive at Stanton Bonna, describes the advantages of its modular precast concrete stairways.
M
any contractors working on road and rail embankments recommend the modular precast concrete stairway system from Stanton Bonna, due to the speed and ease of installation.
With just the clearing of vegetation and a rough gradient in place, installation can begin. Embankment slopes from 25 to 45 degrees can be accommodated.
The stairways are installed by fi rst securing the stringers to the kicker beam with 300mm pins that fi x into the ground – there is no requirement for a CAT scan. The stringers are positioned and secured with tie rods, before risers are slotted into place to form the steps. Each step is then fi lled with either aggregate and topped with concrete or some contractors fi ll with aggregate only to create a temporary stairway.
The stairs can be fi nished with galvanised steel or GRP handrails to job- specifi c requirements, including DDA compliance.
The Stanton Bonna Access Stair system has been shown to be 50% quicker than traditional methods and cheaper than other systems available.
Recent schemes supplied include: M1 J40; Beckton Sewage Treatment Works; Crossness STW; and Highways Agency Area 13.
www.stanton-bonna.co.uk FOR MORE INFORMATION
56 | rail technology magazine Jun/Jul 14
Southeastern pays £1.6m in compensation after landslips
David Stevenson reports on how the wet winter weather has cost Southeastern dearly.
S
outheastern has paid out £1.6m in compensation to passengers, after the wet winter weather caused major landslips on its routes.
The sum of the pay-outs, 10 times the fi gure paid out in the same period last year, came after a series of landslips closed part of the route between Hastings, Tunbridge Wells and London.
Mike Gibson, public affairs manager at Southeastern, said: “In the 16 weeks to 1 April 2013, we paid out about £150,000 in compensation for delayed and cancelled trains. In the four weeks to 1 April this year that fi gure had risen to £1.6m.”
The £1.6m fi gure covers just the fi rst quarter of this year, and is a record level of pay-outs for the network under the ‘delay repay’ scheme – with additional cash
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/contact/ delay-repay/
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