Axis Mega Distribution Centre
The client saw potential difficulties with the pile foundation proposals for their warehouse perimeter road due to existing underground utilities. Tensar's mechanically stabilised layer (MSL) was proposed to support the road and helped reduce differential settlement caused by the soft clay subgrade.
Benefits
- Mitigate differential settlement and provides a stable base for the concrete slab
- Achieved 30% cost savings compared to pile foundations
- Easy reinstatement after servicing existing utilities
A pile foundation with slab was initially considered for the entire warehouse area to address the thick soft clay formation. However, the piling operation posed a risk of damaging the existing electrical cables around the perimeter road. These cables could not be relocated and required access for future maintenance. Therefore, the client needed an alternative solution.
A base layer mechanically stabilised with two layers of Tensar InterAx geogrid was proposed as a road foundation to meet the bearing capacity requirements and mitigate differential settlement. The MSLs provided an even surface to support the rigid pavement, ensuring the road’s longevity while allowing future maintenance of the utilities.