GROUNDWORKS 53


GEOSYNTHETICS PROVIDE GENUINE SAVINGS


Mark Gillies, director of technical solutions at Burdens, looks at the key role that geosynthetic materials can play in new housing developments, in particular how they can underpin cost-saving strategies.


F


or many housebuilders and developers, groundworks remain one of the most unpredictable – and expensive – elements of a project. Challenging ground conditions and rising material costs, paired with the increasing pressure to deliver sustainable projects, are forcing the industry to rethink traditional construction methods. This is where geosynthetics are becoming increasingly important.


HOW DEVELOPERS CAN USE GEOSYNTHETIC MATERIALS Geosynthetics are polymer materials which are designed to improve ground performance. Typically supplied in sheet or grid form, geosynthetics can be used in a wide range of applications, such as working platforms, drainage systems, access roads and ground stabilisation. Having been widely adopted in major infrastructure projects for decades,


they can often be underused in housing development projects. ne of the most signifi cant benefi ts geosynthetics offer is the ability to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for imported stone. Traditionally, when building on weak or variable ground, developers rely on thick layers of aggregate to create stable working platforms or access routes. In some cases, this can mean hundreds or even thousands of tonnes of stone being


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