POLYMER GRIDS SET TO EXPAND INTO NEW CIVILS APPLICATIONS

The success of Netlon fabric has led to its production volume increasing by 30 to 50 per cent per annum over the last five years. The author traces its development, giving examples of its use and possible applications in the future. Netlon netting was first incorporated in a rock fill sea defence. Manufacturing processes have been modified to include heating and stretching of the holed polymer sheet to align the long-chain molecules imparting high strength to the grid. This has the advantage of making the node points its strongest element so that the fabric retains its strength at the edges of any trench dug across it. It is claimed that the reinforcement of asphalt can lead to reduced layer thicknesses and elimination of reflective cracking, increasing the bearing capacity of the road giving a longer life. Grids have also been used in precast and in situ concrete where the maximum cover is required -unlike steel reinforcement. Sprayed concrete and rendering works are other areas where the fabric could be usefully employed. Current research mentioned include soil stabilisation using a small mesh dropped and rotavated. Mats have also been used vertically, tied together to form a cellular structure which when filled with type 2 gives a rigid structure across soft ground. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00107859
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Building and Contract Journals Limited

  Surrey House, 1 Throwley Way
  Sutton, Surrey SM1 4QQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • RIDOUT, G
• Publication Date: 1984-10

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 18-20
• Serial:
  • CONTRACT JOURNAL
  • Volume: 321
  • Issue Number: 5477
  • Publisher: Reed Business Information, Limited
  • ISSN: 0010-7859

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Bituminous mixtures; Cartographic grids; Concrete; Durability; Electrical grids; Geotextiles; Grates; Manufactures; Material reinforcement; Methodology; Nonwoven materials; Polymerization; Polymers; Reinforced concrete pavements; Reinforcing materials; Strength of materials
• Uncontrolled Terms: Nets; Use
• Old TRIS Terms: Gridworks (Structures)
• ITRD Terms: 4967: Bituminous mixture; 4755: Concrete; 5910: Durability; 4568: Geotextile; 4094: Grid; 3647: Manufacture; 9102: Method; 4558: Nonwoven material; 7481: Polymerization; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater); 5544: Strength (mater); 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394571
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1985 12:00AM