Home / Science / Arizona Road Test: Geogrid Eliminates Potholes
Arizona Road Test: Geogrid Eliminates Potholes
14 Nov
Summary
- Geogrid beneath aggregate drastically improved road strength.
- Reinforced road sections showed no ruts or potholes after five years.
- Untreated soil control sections worsened significantly over time.
A five-year study in northern Arizona revealed the effectiveness of geogrid in stabilizing unpaved roads. Engineers installed geogrid beneath aggregate layers on a forest service road near Flagstaff, an area experiencing harsh weather conditions including numerous freeze-thaw cycles and heavy precipitation.
Test sections were constructed in November 2015. By May 2020, the geogrid-reinforced sections remained free of ruts and potholes. In contrast, an untreated control section exhibited significant degradation, including rutting, potholes, and cracking.
Stiffness tests showed reinforced ground was nearly five times stronger than unreinforced native soil. Vehicle sensors also measured significantly less bumpiness on the geogrid-treated surfaces. While the results are promising, further research on aggregate thickness and drainage is recommended.
