Our structures are designed to impede the propagation of a blast at ground level and absorb high levels of energy with strong tolerance for deformation.
Testing and approval
Full-scale blast testing of Reinforced Earth® MSE walls have taken place between 1975 and 2014. Tests were performed on structures built with both concrete and steel facing elements. Tests have taken place in USA, France, Germany, Australia, Israel, and South Korea.
In 1988 the US Army Corps of Engineers designated Geoquest’s Reinforced Earth® MSE walls as a standard design for reinforced soil barricades. Subsequently, the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) approved our walls to protect facilities and equipment located close to explosives sites from high-velocity, low-angle fragment damage.
The official approval review documentation, (namely DEF 149-30-01) concluded the following benefits of building blast barricades with Reinforced Earth® MSE walls. That our walls:
- Can be economically and rapidly constructed
- Requires shallow foundation
- Variety of architectural facing elements and finishes available (cruciform, hexagonal, ribbed, etc.)
- No height or length limitations
- Facing elements are reusable
- Walls can be located close to site boundaries or obstructions
- System adaptable to sloping wall configurations and to tier
- System can tolerate significant amount of settlement
- Repair can be accomplished on individual facing elements
- Galvanised strips, steel wire mesh, geosynthetics are used for soil reinforcement
In 1999, both Reinforced Earth® and TechSpan® was approved in combination by the US Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) for construction of blast barriers or standard oval arch earth covered storage magazines (ECM). TechSpan®’s 3-hinge staggered arrangement integrates the arch’s backfill into the FEM model giving TechSpan® the inertia and flexibility to absorb explosive energy while remaining structurally intact.
Non-military applications
We have collaborated with leading mining companies, explosive product manufacturers and fortifications investigative board members to reduce their risks in their operating environment.
Wall materials and configurations
Reinforced Earth® barricades and blast shielding can be clad with concrete, steel or even vegetation. While in most cases we employ concrete facing, our Terratrel® and TerraMet™ alternative steel facing systems offer the benefit of being lightweight and easily transportable for rapid installation without the need for heavy equipment. The choice of soil reinforcements extends to high-adherence steel strips, high-tensile geosynthetic strips (GeoStrap®) and welded wire bar mats, depending on your specific project requirements.
Protective arch structures
An extension of our soils-structures solutions include blast resistant enclosures consisting of Geoquest precast arches in the form of confined earth-covered “igloo” type structures. These structures are designed to the highest military and commercial standards to protect your assets against damage and propagation from all sorts of external assault and natural forces.
“I have worked with Geoquest on two previous projects and both times have exceeded my expectation. I find the product easy to work with, quick for construction and a good final product, looking the part. There is a good turn around time from the Geoquest team and always have answered any queries I have had. I would definitely use them again.”
“Excellent Service, system and simple to build – would always recommend”
“The design and materials supplied by Geoquest for the new Velindre Cancer Centre bridge was excellent, providing a high-quality product at a competitive price. The technical assistance with both the design and installation was highly commendable leading to a very high standard structure upon completion.
We would thoroughly recommend Geoquest for any retained earth projects and will recommend early engagement on future projects to utilise their vast technical knowledge for value engineering.”
“Having used Geoquest for the provision of a reinforced earth wall system on a new highway scheme I found them to be very helpful and easy to work with in the run up to construction and also throughout the construction. The quality of the final product was very good and looks well now that the work is complete and open to traffic.”
“Osborne Infrastructure selected Geoquest due to their reputation and expertise. They delivered on both. They provided both the design and the fabrication of the reinforced earth abutments for the M27 Romsey Road bridge on time and within budget. Design changes due to unforeseen site conditions were dealt with efficiently with expert advice on hand to ensure we produced the right solution for our client Highways England.
I would be more than happy to recommend Geoquest and would make them my go to specialist for this type of work.”
Engineering expertise and 120 years or more of service life
Geoquest offers unrivalled engineering expertise to provide you with the best design and supply package, coupled to commercial excellence that will make your next road development project a success.
Guaranteeing long-term life duration and minimum necessity for maintenance of the infrastructure is of outmost importance, and our designs are optimised based on the service life that is required.
Speak to our team about your next project
