Year
2013
Client
County of Leduc
Canada
Overview
Mitchell Beach Road is an access road that connects Township Road 474 with upper-market residential cabins on the northern shore of Pigeon Lake in central Alberta. On both sides of Mitchell Beach Road, there are bodies of water that are home to various species of wildlife. There are two culverts across the road that allow for wildlife passage. Residents were dissatisfied with the quality and condition of the road which had dust problems during dry periods and saturated clay soil during wet periods, in addition to Beaver activity that affected seasonal water levels. Water levels typically rose and further moistened the road during periods of heavy rain, introducing more distresses to the road. As of spring 2013, the road was failing and in need of repair and upgrade. A 300m-long portion of the Mitchell Beach Road was identified as the project scope. Tough Cell® was the chosen solution to support this failing section of the road. Construction of the road was completed in only 3 days and was followed by a final chip seal layer installed by other parties.
Year
2013
Client
County of Leduc
Canada
Overview
Mitchell Beach Road is an access road that connects Township Road 474 with upper-market residential cabins on the northern shore of Pigeon Lake in central Alberta. On both sides of Mitchell Beach Road, there are bodies of water that are home to various species of wildlife. There are two culverts across the road that allow for wildlife passage. Residents were dissatisfied with the quality and condition of the road which had dust problems during dry periods and saturated clay soil during wet periods, in addition to Beaver activity that affected seasonal water levels. Water levels typically rose and further moistened the road during periods of heavy rain, introducing more distresses to the road. As of spring 2013, the road was failing and in need of repair and upgrade. A 300m-long portion of the Mitchell Beach Road was identified as the project scope. Tough Cell® was the chosen solution to support this failing section of the road. Construction of the road was completed in only 3 days and was followed by a final chip seal layer installed by other parties.
Challenges
Paradox’s patented Tough Cell solution was the most suitable technology for reinforcing the ground on this site. The design specified 100mm high x 6m wide geocells, to be filled with gravel up to 150mm in height.
Strengthen
Tough Cell® geocells were chosen as a stabilizing and reinforcement layer, together with a woven geotextile to create a separation layer between the old and new road beds.
Sensitive Area
On both sides of Mitchell Beach Road, there are bodies of water which are home to various species of wildlife. There are two culverts across the road that allow for wildlife passage.
Extreme Moisture
Water levels typically rose and further moistened the road during periods of heavy rain, introducing more distresses to the road
Our Approach
Construction began on June 26, 2013. Stratum Logics provided the bypass road design employed during construction. A woven geotextile was spread over the road length. After Tough Cell® geocells were properly stretched over the geotextile along the entire road, gravel was infilled into the cells.
DESIGN
The design for Mitchell Beach Road is one layer of Type D perforated Tough Cell® Geocells of 100mm height, placed over a woven geotextile. The client opted to keep the existing culverts, therefore a single cross-section was used over the entire 300m length.
SPECs
Total area: 300m length x 7m width, single layer Product(s): 330-100 Type D Tough Cell® Geocells; woven geotextile – Infill: 150mm gravel – Completion: A 25mm layer of gravel lock (chip seal) to be placed on top of the gravel as per the Alberta Concrete product design post installation.
The road utilized two layers of Tough Cell®, while the pad utilized three layers of Cells. Both were filled with local materials while aggregates were supplied by local quarries, within ±30km radius.
The road was 4.3 kms in total and finished with a width of 8 meters The Pad was 210m x 195m (40,950m2)
Aggregate materials required are significantly less than conventional methods, due to eliminated requirement for excavation and replacement of organic materials. This resulted in a huge carbon savings usually incurred through expensive excavation & hauling of aggregate material.
Results
After a site visit, Alberta Transportation representatives were very pleased with the project. Its success contributed to the Tough Cell® product receiving “Approved Product” status by Alberta Transportation and led to the project’s status as an Alberta Transportation demonstration site.
Benefits
REINFORCING THE GROUND WITH TOUGH CELL
This Tough Cell® reinforced access road performed well even prior to the application of the chip seal coat some months after construction. The Mitchell Beach community now enjoys reliable, year-round access and the road itself remains in immaculate condition after four years in service. The County benefited from initial construction cost savings and will enjoy reduced maintenance costs in future.
It creates the “Beam Effect”
It can be used in temperatures ranging from +60°C to –60°C
The product carries a 75-year guarantee.
It can easily be reclaimed and is recyclable.
YEAR ROUND ACCESS
The road is strengthened; able to with stand heavy loads with little wear. Maintenance has been reduced saving the county’s maintenance budget for other issues.
