MIRAGRID® PEC Biaxial Reinforcement Geocomposite

MIRAGRID® PEC is a biaxial reinforcement geocomposite manufactured by Solmax, composed of high modulus polyester fibres attached to a continuous filament nonwoven geotextile backing. Solmax describes it as suitable for short and long term soil reinforcement applications, and specifically for subgrade stabilisation and base reinforcement.

The biaxial construction carries equal strength in both directions, and we supply the full range: PEC 40/40 at 42 kN/m, PEC 55/55 at 58 kN/m, PEC 75/75 at 79 kN/m and PEC 95/95 at 100 kN/m, in both machine and cross-machine direction. PEC 55/55 and PEC 95/95 are the fastest-moving grades on African projects and are held in stock, with the other grades available to order.

What makes the geocomposite different from a geogrid alone is the nonwoven backing. It carries the reinforcement fibres and at the same time separates the fill from the soft subgrade beneath, while remaining highly permeable: water permeability normal to the plane is 55 mm/s, so pore water can drain through the plane rather than building up pressure under the fill.

Designers work from the low-strain tensile values, because reinforcement performs at working strain rather than at break. At 2% strain the range develops 9, 13, 18 and 22 kN/m across PEC 40/40 to PEC 95/95, rising to 23, 30, 40 and 54 kN/m at 5% strain, with elongation at nominal strength of about 11%. These stiffness values are what a geotechnical engineer compares when sizing reinforcement for a working platform, embankment or reinforced fill.

All grades are supplied in 5.3 m wide rolls, 100 m long, weighing 200, 225, 259 and 296 kg per roll from PEC 40/40 up to PEC 95/95. Other forms of supply are available on request. The product is cut to size on site with a sharp knife or scissors, joined by overlapping or sewing, and placed with the reinforcement as perpendicular as possible to the sloped face unless the design says otherwise.

For long term design strength, friction behaviour and other design parameters, we obtain the data directly from Solmax for your project. Solmax is not a design or engineering professional and does not determine whether the product suits a particular project, so the reinforcement design remains the responsibility of your geotechnical engineer. We supply the certified product, the technical data and the installation support.

Geosynthetics Africa stocks MIRAGRID PEC with delivery to over 30 countries across Africa and installation by our own crews. MIRAGRID® is a registered trademark of Solmax.