Road Construction over Saturated Soil Reinforced with Tough Cell® Geocells
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This project focuses on the challenges faced by the client due to unprecedented circumstances which caused heavy waterlogging, compromising the integrity of the once sturdy access road. It elaborates on the Tough Cell® geocell solution, which solved key access, safety, and reliability issues.
CORE CONCERNS:
Safety, Longevity and Reliability
APPLICATION:
Access Road
CONDITIONS:
Over-saturated | Muddy
LOCATION:
April, 2017
PROJECT OVERVIEW
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Paradox was initially commissioned by one of Calgary’s top oil producers to provide a temporary matting solution in response to an unanticipated and substantial snowmelt event. The client faced restricted access to their drilling rig as their road deteriorated due to oversaturation.
After the preliminary assessment, Paradox proposed and successfully built a permanent road solution that could withstand unexpected weather in the future, and made the client’s budget stretch further.
THE MISSION
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To reconstruct a permanent, safe, and reliable access road in the fastest time possible to minimize operational shutdowns and revenue losses.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
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The 1.44km long x 6m wide access road was reconstructed with remarkable efficiency. It was built in 6 days despite facing an unexpected day lost to rain.
Installation began on a Saturday, and the rehabilitated road went into service the following Friday.
THE PROBLEM
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In the spring of 2017, the Whitecourt | Swan Hills area witnessed
unprecedented and extraordinary snowmelt. This triggered significant waterlogging that compromised the integrity of the once sturdy access road heavily relied on by the client. In fact, this extreme weather event left the road in a deplorable, soft, and sinking state. This caused severe access restrictions and safety risks, and with each passing day, the road continued to erode as crews struggled through deeper mud and muck to get to their operations.
Eventually, as the area became fully impassable to smaller vehicles,
the client depended on a CAT-track vehicle to access its four-well drilling pad. While this makeshift solution was practical, it was not 100% reliable nor versatile. Faced with intermittent shutdowns and service disruptions, the client’s mouting frustration prompted a search for a viable solution.
Initially, Paradox was consulted to construct a temporary matting solution as a quick and easy fix. However, after assessing the damage, traffic flow and capacity, and long-term needs of the client, our team quickly proposed an alternative permanent solution- Tough Cell®.
The value of Tough Cell® to the client.
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These high-performance geocells perfectly stabilized the saturated soil and provided a durable foundation for a reliable access road.
By leveraging Tough Cell® in the build, the structure of the road was reinforced, and Paradox restored critical access for the
client to service their rig in a cost-
effective, timely manner.
PROJECT AT A GLANCE
Conditions prior to construction
Site preparation
Infill section supports heavy load during construction
Installation of the Tough Cell® layer
Tough Cell® geocell layer being infilled
Road condition after 2000+ loads and 6+ years of use
PROJECT SPECS
TOTAL AREA
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8640m2
Access Road
PRODUCT
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330-150-C
330-150-D
Tough Cell®
NPA Geocell and Geotextile
COMPLETION
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3/4″ Road Crush
Riding Course
INFILL
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40mm
Gravel
THE SOLUTION
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Paradox designed, constructed and implemented a road structure capable of supporting frequent and high Equivalent Single Axle Loads (ESALs) on a soft subgrade with an extremely low CBR.
THE BENEFITS
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SAVINGS:
The client saved on future production losses.
RELIABILITY:
The client gained reliable access through Tough Cell®, a solution that outperforms access matting in long-term durability and affordability.
LONGEVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY:
The biggest win for the client was the immediate access after completion and the continued performance of the road 6+ years later with minimal maintainence.