System solutions for reinforced soil structures

The German family company with its own branch in the Netherlands supplies products and, in cooperation with partners, innovative (system) solutions for the infrastructure sector, environment, industry and agriculture. "Our goal is to completely relieve clients and contractors in the field of reinforced soil structures," says Joris van den Berg, Managing Director of the Dutch division.

With the solutions of Fortrac Systems, HUESKER guarantees in a fast and economical way, sustainable reinforced soil constructions for retaining walls, steep slopes or foundation structures, such as abutments. Van den Berg: "By cleverly incorporating the geosynthetics in different layers in the ground, very durable reinforced soil constructions are created. Compared to traditional soil retaining structures, they often prove to be more efficient and sustainable by making use of locally available soil, thereby reducing CO₂-emissions. Shorter construction times, lower material and transportation costs and reduced use of machinery have a positive effect on overall costs. Fortrac reinforced soil structures are ideally suited for use on slack soils and meet the highest requirements in terms of structural bearing capacity."

Fortrac Systems

"We have been producing Fortrac products for more than 30 years, but in recent years we have been focusing on providing system solutions," Van den Berg continues. "With our own design team, we can fully guide projects from design to implementation. We offer these services, among others, for our innovative system solutions Fortrac Systems. The core of any reinforced soil structure is a soil massif, reinforced with Fortrac geogrid layers, which absorb tensile forces and improve the mechanical properties of the composite soil massif. Due to the modular structure of Fortrac Systems, various finishing solutions (facings) are available, such as: Fortrac Nature (green wall), Fortrac Block ( precast block wall), Fortrac Panel (precast wall panels) and Fortrac Gabion (gabions). The facings are not only cosmetic, but also provide protective or structural functions. The areas of application are vast. Besides retaining walls and foundation structures, such as high-founded abutments, they are also used in overhanging embankments or retaining walls in water. Through a free downloadable, interactive Augmented Reality App, a variety of possibilities can be viewed virtually on site."

As the first global player in geotextiles, HUESKER produces one of its most popular grids - the asphalt reinforcement grid HaTelit C - from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate. "The recycled PET we use is an equivalent replacement for the original PET yarn and indistinguishable from new," says Van den Berg. It has the same high quality and the same properties, with a significantly lower CO₂-profile. HaTelit C eco is the first step. HUESKER will continue ecoLine with further products in the near future."