Embankment reinforcement with Stabilenka®
geotextile in the residential development
of Valdelacasa, Alcobendas (Madrid), Spain

In the residential development of Valdelacasa in Alcobendas (Madrid), it was proposed to construct of a bridge over a nearby river. The approach embankment leading to one of the bridge abutments was located on soft soils, consisting of a 3m layer of clay overlaid with sand. The 5 m high embankment was 32 m wide with side slopes of 3H/2V.
The construction firm awarded the contract was FCC CONSTRUCCIONES S.A. After discussing various solutions, a decision was taken to install a
woven Stabilenka® geotextile with a strength of 150 kN/m in its longitudinal direction.
This solution offered the following advantages: it increased the embankment’s safety factor while eliminating staged construction and dispensing with excavation of the soft soils, in view of the fact that the geosynthetic was placed above these, thus reducing transportation of the soils off-site and, accordingly, reducing the environmental impact of the works.
HUESKER studied the global stability of the embankment on the basis of British Standard BS 8006:1995. In that way, the geotextile strength required to prevent failure of the embankment and extrusion of the soft soil was calculated.
Apart from meeting the reinforcement requirements, Stabilenka® provides separation of the soft soil from the embankment fill material.
The installation, carried out in August 2007, consisted of laying the rolls of geosynthetic perpendicularly to the embankment axis.
Transverse overlapping between the rolls was 250mm. Before beginning construction of the embankment, special care had to be taken to ensure that the rolls had been properly installed so as to avoid folds and wrinkles.
HUESKER has long experience of embankment reinforcement on soft soils. Our technical department is able to advise the client, thus finding the most appropriate technical solution in each case. The use of these materials is a solution adopted both during the project and the execution phases.
Client: Consorcio urbanístico, Valdelacasa Works
management: SETI S.A., Spain
Project: SETI S.A., Spain
Contractor: FCC CONSTRUCCIÓN S.A.
Product: Stabilenka® 150