How Ferguson helps contractors stabilize working surfaces and site access while lowering costs.
“My soils are soft. My base material is expensive. I need to use less aggregate, avoid chemical stabilization, and keep my working surfaces stable even with heavy equipment.” — Contractor
In construction, temporary work zones and jobsite access roads are among the most trafficked and abused parts of any site. They must be built quickly, support heavy equipment, and remain stable under harsh conditions. Below, we outline the most common challenges contractors face in these environments—and the geosynthetic solutions Ferguson recommends to solve them.
Challenge 1: My base material is expensive, and I need to use less of it.
Base material (aggregate) is often one of the most expensive components of any working surface or access road. When prices rise or haul distances increase, material costs can quickly spiral. Reducing base thickness without compromising stability is critical to staying on budget
Available Solutions:
- Geogrids (Tensar InterAx®): Primary solution. Distributes loads across a wider area, allowing thinner aggregate layers without sacrificing strength.
- Geotextiles (Mirafi® H2Ri) : Separates base from subgrade to prevent mixing and contamination, reducing the need for frequent material replacement.
- Geocells (Presto GEOWEB®): Confines infill material, increasing the bearing capacity of the base, which means less aggregate is required.
Challenge 2: My site has soft or pumping subgrades that can’t support heavy equipment.
Soft or saturated soils often lead to surface failure, rutting, or pumping—especially when supporting large or repeated vehicle loads. Without reinforcement, even thick base layers may fail.
Available Solutions:
- Geogrids (Tensar InterAx®) : Reinforces weak soils by spreading loads, minimizing rutting and pumping.
- Geotextiles (Mirafi® H2Ri) : Provides separation and filtration while managing moisture, preventing soft spots from forming.
- Geocells (Presto GEOWEB®): Enhances subgrade stabilization through 3D confinement, especially under dynamic equipment loads.
Challenge 3: I want to avoid the cost and environmental impact of chemical stabilization.
Chemical stabilization using lime, cement, or fly ash can be costly, time-consuming, and environmentally intrusive. Many job sites also face regulatory or permitting restrictions that discourage chemical usage. Many times, utilizing geosynthetics in combination with chemical stabilization can yield the highest performance.
Available Solutions:
- Geogrids (Tensar InterAx®): Reinforces mechanically, eliminating the need for chemical soil treatments.
- Geotextiles (Mirafi® H2Ri) : Stabilizes and drains without chemicals.
- Geocells (Presto GEOWEB®): Provides structural confinement, avoiding the need for chemical additives.
Challenge 4: My working surfaces need to withstand heavy, static, and dynamic loads without failure.
Jobsite equipment—including cranes, loaders, and haul trucks—exerts high loads, often in concentrated or repetitive patterns. Without proper reinforcement, working surfaces can degrade rapidly, causing safety issues, downtime, and costly repairs.
Available Solutions:
- Geogrids (Tensar InterAx®) : Spreads high point loads from equipment to prevent localized failure.
- Geotextiles (Mirafi® H2Ri): Maintains layer integrity under repetitive loading.
- Geocells (Presto GEOWEB®): Controls lateral movement of infill, maintaining a stable surface even under shifting or vibratory loads.
Can geosynthetics also reduce installation time and long-term maintenance?
Yes. By reducing the need for thick aggregate layers, chemical treatments, and frequent repairs, Ferguson’s geosynthetic solutions speed up installation and lower lifetime maintenance costs.
They also allow contractors to use locally available, lower-cost aggregates, further reducing expenses and logistics challenges.
What are the environmental benefits?
- Less aggregate hauling, lowering carbon emissions.
- Eliminates chemical stabilizers, protecting surrounding ecosystems.
- Longer service life means fewer repairs and less disturbance to the site over time.
Where can I get help selecting the right geosynthetics?
Ferguson’s geosynthetics specialists can assess your site’s challenges and provide customized solutions for working surfaces, access routes, and more.
Contact your local Ferguson expert to discuss your project.
