When natural disasters, power surges, accidents, or general equipment failures threaten the reliability of the power grid, maintenance crews must be able to quickly and safely access transmission lines and substations to make repairs. Designing resilient energy infrastructure that ensures power companies have a reliable, regular supply of energy and contingency measures in place in the event of a power failure is crucial to their business and the communities they serve.
Build Sustainable Roads for Utility Transmission & Substation Access
Accessing sites in remote or undeveloped areas can present several challenges for the energy industry when it comes to building, operating, and maintaining power transmission lines and substations. Soft soils and low-water crossings can make it difficult for utility vehicles to safely and effectively reach sites for routine maintenance and emergency repairs. The GEOWEB® 3D Soil Stabilization System is ideal for shallow ground improvement applications and can easily be incorporated into unpaved access roads for transmission lines and substations. The GEOWEB geocells, made from an all-weather high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, are durable, chemical resistant, and outperform standard two-dimensional geosynthetics through lateral confinement of infill materials, facilitating what is known as the “mattress effect” for distributing loads across weak subgrades.
The GEOWEB system offers an economical way to construct low-maintenance unpaved access roads that are fast to install and require less maintenance than their unreinforced counterparts. The GEOWEB-confined aggregate is stable and resistant to shoving and movement that can occur with unpaved access roads subjected to heavy-traffic loading conditions. With the GEOWEB system, roads are built with 50% less aggregate to support heavy vehicles with minimal environmental impact. The use of low-cost, local infill—such as sand or limestone—lowers the overall project cost, and the GEOWEB reinforcement extends the life of the unpaved road and reduces annual maintenance costs.
Reduce Touch & Step Hazards at Substations
Aggregate is commonly used for electrical substation pavements and transformer pads to create a safe, non-conductive insulation layer between workers and the ground. This aggregate must contain fines to create a stable surface to resist heavy vehicle stresses, and the presence of these fines can create touch and step hazards. The GEOWEB system allows the use of an open-graded base course (OGBC) with no fines, providing greater surface permeability and a more stable driving surface that resists rutting.
The permeable GEOWEB confinement system delivers exceptional drainage, which prevents the accumulation of dangerous surface water ponding. Roads and substation pads constructed with the GEOWEB system require virtually no maintenance and provide a safer environment for workers.
Case Study: Geocells Stabilize Soil & Manage Stormwater for Hospital Power Line Installation
The Alabama Power Co. (APC) saw a need to install a second substation to provide a reliable alternative power source for Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama; however, wetlands near the project site complicated installation of the substation and power line. Construction of the access road was also wrought with environmental and regulatory concerns from citizens and local officials.
Construction is strictly governed in wetland areas, so APC could not fill the wetland for soil stability. City of Mobile regulations required the project to establish stormwater retention areas due to its size. Rather than retain the water in ponds, however, APC used Presto Geosystems’ GEOWEB confinement system to stabilize the soil to ensure the access road was permeable in the upland portion of the project.
The geocellular system stabilizes the aggregate, preventing movement under vehicle loads, and allows stormwater to drain into the soil rather than run off and create problems for residents and the environment.
Because water so easily infiltrated the access road, Mobile did not require APC to build the retention pond per its regulations. Had an impervious surface been installed, stormwater would deviate from established flows, and nearby residences likely would have complained about stormwater on their properties.
The substation provided Providence Hospital with two sources of power. In the event of a power failure at one, electricity would shift to the other, keeping the hospital’s vital machinery online.
Design Support & Resources for Utilities & Electrical Transmission
The engineering team at Presto Geosystems works closely with civil engineers, offering free project evaluation services and on-site support for utility maintenance roads and substations.

Trails and greenways play a vital role in communities by preserving and creating open spaces for low or no-cost outdoor recreation. They encourage people to get outside and safely explore environmentally sensitive areas that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to access. Trails also function as a safe transportation corridor for those who commute by foot or bicycle.
Developers in the City of the Colony, Texas, required a flexible and low-impact recreational trail that conformed to the curves and contours of the adjacent shoreline. The trail needed to accommodate traffic from pedestrians, bikes, small vehicles, and equestrians. The GEOWEB Soil Stabilization System with a well-graded, decomposed granite infill met these requirements. This infill material was readily available in the area, though any stone is acceptable as long as it is angular and promotes good drainage.
The grades are in, and they’re not great. On Wednesday, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released their quadrennial 


Creating and ensuring a stable surface supportive of the long-term, heavy traffic needs starts with better stabilization of the base materials. The
There is a notable environmental benefit with this approach. The pavement layer and base materials perform as an on-site stormwater detention basin, where it can store water in the void spaces for natural infiltration. The storage capability can reduce stormwater infrastructure and stormwater pond volumes. Without fines in the surface layer, drainage is also greatly improved. Water can flow freely through the system preventing pore pressure build-up and global failure of the cross-section. Where clean aggregate sources are not available, salvaged or low-quality aggregate material may be used to reduce material and hauling costs.
In the base layer, GEOWEB® confinement is beneficial under asphalt, reinforced, and rolled compacted concrete, especially in areas with low CBR subgrades and drainage issues. Reducing stress on the subgrade allows a thinner pavement layer. Differential and long-term settlement is also reduced—resulting in extended pavement life.
We are pleased to announce that Presto Geosystems will continue to offer regular online learning opportunities throughout 2021. Our webinars will explore soil stabilization and stormwater solutions for the civil, industrial, stormwater, and construction industries. The series will also include webinars that address improving resilience in industries including landfills, rail, mining, and ports. PDH credit is available for Presto Geosystems webinars.
Congress recently passed the most significant piece of land conservation legislation in a generation. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a rare bipartisan effort—will provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually and will put $9.5 billion over the next five years toward the deferred maintenance backlog on public lands. The GAOA provides $6.5 billion specifically for the 419 national park units. President Trump signed the bill into law on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.

When incorporated into the base layer under asphalt or concrete, the GEOWEB® 3D Soil Stabilization System dramatically reduces the occurrence of rutting, potholes, and pavement degradation. The GEOWEB® system does this by performing as a semi-rigid mattress and distributing loads evenly over soft subbase soils, significantly reducing deflection and settlement.
Road shoulders play a vital role in the performance of roads and highways. They provide additional structural support for the roadway and a safe area for drivers and emergency responders to maneuver in the event of an emergency. The GEOWEB® system creates stable shoulders that reduce typical maintenance by up to 3 times and protect sealed pavement from deterioration and edge breaks. The GEOWEB® road shoulders can be designed with permeable aggregate or engineered topsoil/aggregate infill to facilitate vegetation.
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