Subgrade Stabilization for Access roads in Solar Power Plant
Project Overview:
A leading Solar Power generating company proposed to construct a 45MW Solar Power Pant in Telangana. Project site constituted of vegetation crop i.e., Paddy and large water bodies with underlying soil comprising of high plasticity clay (CH/OH) up to a depth of 5m and C.B.R of 2%.
Problem:
During Monsoons, with the presence of High plastic/Organic clayey soils the client faced difficulties in mobilizing his equipment on the existing access roads. The solution of using higher granular fill thickness could not improve the frequency and resulted in further rut formation and posed the problem of vehicles getting stuck in the slushy soils as shown in figure 4.
Solution:
In order to improve the performance and create a stable platform, TenCate Mirafi® HP 380a 100% Woven Polypropylene multi-functional geotextile was proposed to lay on the existing soft soil. This high modulus (strength at low strain) geotextile gives better confinement effect, prevents rut formation and high permeability function dissipates pore water pressure from saturated subgrade soils. Additionally using Mirafi® HP380a resulted in an optimized section achieving relative cost savings.(fig.3)
Conclusion:
Adoption of Mirafi HP380a geotextile with a reduced fill thickness of 600mm proved to be an optimal solution providing improved frequency of vehicle passes and stable platform. Formation of ruts minimized with installation of Mirafi® HPa in the problematic stretches which opened access to the remaining work site and completing the project within stipulated time.
Current Issue
12-2025
