The use of geogrids in reinforced soil slopes are an economical method of steeping up ground to increase available land for private and commercial use. They are more flexible than retaining walls and provide softer facing incorporating vegetation to blend in with the surrounding area. Applications may include reinforcement of fill in new construction and/or reconstruction of failed slopes. Maccaferri are able to provide systems that reinforce a range of steep slope angles that also include different erosion control materials for the face and sheet drainage at the rear of the fill, replacing expensive granular chimney drains to intercept groundwater. 

1:1 Slopes
Reinforced slopes up to 45 degrees are usually constructed with geogrid reinforcement terminating at the face. Geogrids are simply placed in horizontal layers from the face on top of the compacted fill. Enkamat, a permanent erosion control mat, is placed on the face to help reinforce the steep surface vegetation during heavy rainfall events.

Wrap around slopes
The use of geogrids in wrap-around slope construction is required when the face angle is greater than 45 degrees. This is usually achieved through the use of earth bags placed behind geogrid wrapped face or a temporary formwork systems where Biomac C, a biodegradable erosion mat, is placed between the geogrid and soil to provide temporary erosion protection during the plant establishment phase.