Ringtrac® can be used, for example, for installing geotextile-encased sand columns (GEC) - the Möbius System - in low bearing strength soils. This pile-like load-carrying system is a quick, cost-effective method of providing an embankment foundation.

Ringtrac® limits the spread of the sand columns into the surrounding weak soils by providing a certain amount of radial support. This increases the load-carrying capacity of the columns to permit construction to take place over extremely weak soils.

Ringtrac® is specially manufactured to suit the requirements of each project. Among other parameters, the design strengths and stiffnesses are calculated from the properties of the weak soils, the spacing and diameter of the sand columns and the embankment height. Ringtrac® is currently manufactured with short-term circumferential tensile strengths of up to 400 kN/m. Reinforcement sleeves are available in diameters of between 0.40 m and 1.0 m.

Ringtrac® is a registered trademark of HUESKER Synthetic GmbH.

Advantages:

• Suitable for soft soils with c_u < 15 kN/m²
• Almost all settlement takes place within the construction period
• Adjacent buildings are unaffected by the settlement
• Fully loadable immediately after construction
  (high embankments in a short time with no danger of base failure)
• Highly adaptable to local conditions and loading
• No removal of unsuitable or contaminated excavated soil
  (using soil displacement method)
• No adverse influence on groundwater flow
• Base sealing protects underlying aquifers
• Economic use of space on site and savings in excavation, disposal and imported material costs
• Reduction in construction time and cost
• The system is not rigid and can absorb dynamic loads, e.g. from passing trains, without damage
• Consolidation is accelerated

Job Reports

Earthworks and foundations