Geogrids & Interlayers
Tensar RE520 Uniaxial Geogrid
Uniaxial HDPE geogrid for MSE walls, bridge abutments and steep reinforced slopes. Punched and drawn from a single sheet - integral junctions, no weave, no coating, nothing to delaminate. Independently certified for 120 years. Supplied with the 25°C and 30°C design data your site actually runs at, not the 20°C default carried in most European specifications.
Overview
Tensar RE520 is a uniaxial geogrid punched and drawn from a homogeneous HDPE sheet - not woven, coated or welded. The integral junctions carry load between ribs without a mechanical connection that can fail, and the oriented polymer structure resists creep under sustained tensile load.
Strength acts along the roll length. That is why uniaxial is the correct grid for mechanically stabilised earth: the reinforcement runs back into the fill, perpendicular to the wall face, where the tensile demand actually sits.
Tensar publishes RE-series design strengths at 10°C, 15°C, 25°C and 30°C. On most African sites the governing case is 25°C or 30°C, not the 20°C default carried in many European specifications - and long-term design strength falls as temperature rises. We supply the correct temperature-specific data with every quotation.
RE520 connects directly to TensarTech facing systems using purpose-made connectors, allowing full-strength connection to modular blocks or panels rather than a friction-only interface.
- MaterialHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- StructurePunched and drawn sheet, integral junctions
- ColourBlack
- StandardISO 9001 · BBA certified, 120-year design life
- Roll Width1.3m
- Roll Length75m
Typical Properties
| Property | Tensar RE | Tensar UX | Miragrid GX | TechGrid TGU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polymer | HDPE | HDPE | PET | PET |
| Structure | Punched & drawn | Punched & drawn | Knitted, coated | Knitted, coated |
| Grades | RE510–RE580 | UX1100–UX1800 | GX 35/20–GX 200/30 | TGU 40/20–TGU 600/30 |
| Ultimate tensile strength (MD) | 42–137 kN/m | 58–210 kN/m | 35–200 kN/m | 40–600 kN/m |
| Aperture | Elongated | Elongated | 25 × 25 mm | 30 × 15 to 30 × 25 mm |
| Roll width | 1.3 m | 1.33 m | 5.2 m | 5.1 m |
| Roll length | 50–75 m | 61–76 m | 100 m | 100 m |
| Design life | 120 years | 120 years | 120 years | 120 years |
| Primary applications | Walls, abutments | Walls, slopes | Walls, slopes | Walls, slopes, basal |
Note: The above specifications represent the product family properties. Please refer to the product datasheet for individual SKU values.
Typical Applications
View all applicationsRetaining Walls & MSE Structures
Reinforces the fill behind segmental block, concrete panel, gabion and wire-faced walls.
Reinforced Soil Slopes
Allows slopes to be built far steeper than unreinforced earthworks, creating more usable land.
Bridge Abutments
Supports approach embankments and reinforced soil abutments carrying bridge and traffic loads.
Embankments Over Soft Ground
High-strength basal layers let embankments be built safely over soft, compressible soils.
Mining Tip Walls & ROM Pads
Reinforced soil walls for crusher tip walls and ROM pads carrying heavy haul truck loads.
Compatible Systems
View all systemsTensar® RE – HDPE Uniaxial Geogrid
Monolithic HDPE geogrid, punched and drawn from a single polymer sheet, with integral junctions that carry 95% of the grid's strength. Tensar uniaxial geogrids were the first commercially available geogrids and are now in their fourth generation. Six grades from RE510 to RE580, with ultimate tensile strengths of 42–137 kN/m, supplied in 1.3 m wide rolls. Ideal for segmental block and concrete panel walls, and bridge abutments.
Tensar® UX – HDPE Uniaxial Geogrid
Integrally formed HDPE geogrid, punched and drawn for positive mechanical interlock with the fill and high junction strength. Six grades from UX1100MSE to UX1800HS, with ultimate tensile strengths of 58–210 kN/m, supplied in 1.33 m wide rolls. Suited to MSE walls, reinforced slopes, embankments and temporary walls.
MIRAGRID® GX – Knitted Polyester Uniaxial Geogrid
Flat-knitted, high-tenacity polyester geogrid with a black polymeric coating, combining high tensile strength with low creep. Straight machine-direction ribs minimise strain during construction, and the lightweight rolls are easy to cut and place. Six grades from GX 35/20 to GX 200/30, with ultimate tensile strengths of 35–200 kN/m, supplied in 5.2 m wide rolls. Suited to MSE walls, reinforced slopes and embankments.
TechGrid TGU – Knitted Polyester Uniaxial Geogrid
Warp-knitted, high-tenacity polyester geogrid with a durable polymeric coating for dimensional stability and resistance to installation damage. Nine grades from TGU 40/20 to TGU 600/30, with ultimate tensile strengths of 40–600 kN/m, supplied in 5.1 m × 100 m rolls. Suited to everything from low retaining walls to heavily loaded basal reinforcement of embankments over soft soils.
Installation Guidance
Standard Method Statement
Prepare a level, compacted foundation and remove any soft spots. Lay the geogrid with its strength direction (the roll length) perpendicular to the wall or slope face, in one continuous length with no joints in that direction.
Pull each layer taut to remove slack, then spread and compact fill in layers to the specified thickness. Keep tracked plant off exposed geogrid and maintain at least 150 mm of cover before trafficking.
Connection details, overlaps and fill requirements vary by product and facing system, so always follow the manufacturer's installation guideline and the project specification. Our team provides on-site technical support and IAGI-aligned installation across every range we supply.
Quality Assurance & Testing
Field QA/QC Checklist
- Delivery & Storage: Rolls identified to ISO 10320, stored flat and protected from UV until installation.
- Material Conformance: Certificates checked against the design: ultimate tensile strength (ISO 10319 / ASTM D6637) and long-term design strength including creep (ISO 13431 / ASTM D5262).
- Orientation & Length: Primary strength direction laid perpendicular to the wall face; reinforcement lengths and vertical spacing checked against the design drawings.
- Tensioning & Connection: Reinforcement pulled taut before fill; facing connections made to the system's tested detail.
- Fill & Compaction: Fill material and compaction checked against the specification; lightweight compaction plant within the zone near the face.
Manufacturing Standards
- ISO 10319 / ASTM D6637 tensile strength
- ISO 13431 / ASTM D5262 creep testing
- FHWA-NHI-10-024 MSE wall design and construction (where applicable)
- Manufacturer QC certificates per roll
- ISO 9001 · BBA certified, 120-year design life
Documents
Product Selection Guide
Compare performance properties across the entire category hierarchy before specifying.
Installation & Method Statement
Standard deployment procedures, installation specifications, and field application method statements.
QA/QC Site Checklist
Field quality control procedures, inspection checklists, and testing standards to verify installation integrity.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Guaranteed minimum average roll values (MARV) and material testing properties.
Chemical Resistance / Accessories Guide
Chemical compatibility matrix and list of auxiliary materials needed for installation.
Projects Using Tensar RE520 Uniaxial Geogrid
Submit your BOQ.
Get a quote – not just a price.
Upload your BOQ or speak to our technical team for expert recommendations and support.