Subgrade Stabilisation at RCPL Industrial Plant using Tensar® H-Series
Constructed in 2026
Benefits
- Avoided excavation and disposal of unsuitable clay material
- Raised subgrade CBR from 2% to 10%, meeting pavement design requirements
- Reduced construction time and overall project cost
- Reduced carbon footprint through a less material-intensive construction
approach
The RCPL site presented a challenging subgrade condition, with in-situ CBR values of just 2–3%, well below the 10% required for pavement design. The clay soils were considered unsuitable, raising the prospect of extensive excavation and disposal. At the same time, the project demanded a compliant pavement design solution that could be delivered without significant cost or programme impact.
Tensar proposed a Mechanically Stabilised Layer (MSL) to address the weak subgrade, raising the effective CBR from 2% to the required 10%. The MSL comprises two granular layers, each with a layer of Tensar H-Series geogrid, forming a total thickness of 300 mm over the existing soft subgrade. This approach eliminated the need to excavate and dispose of the unsuitable clay, met the subgrade design requirement, and delivered savings in both construction time and overall project cost.
