Geogrid-reinforced access roads &
Crane platforms for wind farm construction
Enhancing subsoil stability with geotextiles for wind energy projects
Wind energy is a critical component of the transition to renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while supporting climate protection goals.
One of the main challenges in wind farm construction is the low load-bearing capacity of subsoils used for parking areas, access roads, and logistics zones for heavy components and construction vehicles. To address this, our geosynthetics experts develop project-specific solutions using high-performance geogrids and geotextiles, ensuring both resource conservation and structural stability.
Geotextiles and geogrids provide significant reinforcement in making the construction of access roads, assembly areas, and crane platforms safer and more sustainable. In addition, their use strengthens temporary storage areas for heavy wind turbine components such as monopiles.
You can count on our outstanding geogrids, geotextiles, and engineered system solutions whenever low-bearing subsoils need to support heavy construction traffic. Benefit from our extensive experience, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and rigorous quality assurance, as well as our project-specific engineering services. We are ready to support you in the planning, design, cost estimation, and execution of your wind farm infrastructure projects.
Wind farm access roads
Base reinforcement with Geosynthetics
During wind farm construction, both the stability of cranes and turbines and the reliability of access roads are critical. To transport turbine components to their final locations, existing rural and forest roads are often utilized. However, these roads typically have low load-bearing capacity and are not designed to support heavy construction and transport vehicles.
Our high-performance geogrids and geotextiles provide essential soil reinforcement for both temporary and permanent wind farm infrastructure. By incorporating geosynthetics, the load-bearing capacity of access roads is significantly increased, ensuring long-term stability and improved trafficability. Compared to traditional soil stabilization methods such as lime or cement treatment, our Basetrac and Fortrac geogrids offer a more cost-effective, sustainable, and durable alternative. For temporary access roads, geosynthetics can also be easily removed due to their robustness, ensuring they remain intact without breaking apart during dismantling.
Planning Challenges
- Reducing required base course thickness
- Preventing the loss of base course material
- Increasing load-bearing capacity
- Minimizing rut depth
- Lowering environmental impact on protected soil
Crane working platforms and assembly areas
Reinforcement of high-load engineering structures
Crane and assembly work platforms present a significant challenge in wind turbine construction. The locations designated for these platforms often have very low load-bearing capacity, making it difficult to ensure the structural stability of cranes and heavy construction equipment under extreme loads and concentrated forces.
To meet the strict safety standards in wind farm construction, complex geotechnical designs are required. Mobile and crawler cranes must operate within strict tolerances, with permissible total settlement and angular torsion limited to less than 2%. The use of geosynthetics for horizontal reinforcement significantly enhances the structural stability and serviceability of high-load surfaces. Additionally, combining them with vertical support elements further increases load distribution efficiency.
Benefits of horizontal reinforcement
- Ensures maximum safety with high-tensile, low-creep reinforcement layers in both longitudinal and transverse directions
- Improves base failure resistance by increasing load distribution angles and balancing forces
- Compensates for variable subsurface conditions and reduces unacceptable differential settlements
- Redistributes vertical loads from the working platform and spreads applied forces efficiently
Storage areas and support pads for heavy components
Geotextile stabilization of low load-bearing subsoils
In addition to designated areas for wind turbine construction and access roads, temporary storage for heavy components is essential during the development of onshore and offshore wind farms. Our geotextile solutions enhance the stability of low load-bearing subsoils, allowing for the safe storage of extremely heavy components such as monopiles for offshore wind turbines. This geosynthetic soil reinforcement provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive soil replacement or other conventional stabilization methods.
The Fortrac Heavy Load support pad offers a flexible and durable alternative to traditional steel and concrete supports. This system integrates Fortrac geogrids, geotextile fabric, and locally sourced fill materials such as soil or slag to create a reinforced storage area capable of supporting extreme loads.
Benefits
- Safe support for extremely high component loads using high-tensile geotextile reinforcement products
- Geotextile-reinforced bearing surfaces can be loaded immediately after installation
- Reduction of differential settlements, even in challenging subsoil conditions
- Excellent trafficability due to the ductile yet low-deformation behavior of the system
HUESKER Services
Proven design methods and extensive industry experience
HUESKER provides expert guidance from the initial planning phase through to on-site implementation. Our experienced specialists perform structural stability analyses using advanced analytical and numerical methods in both 2D and 3D. This approach ensures that every project solution is not only structurally sound but also economically and environmentally sustainable. Find out more about HUESKER services!
Slope failure analysis using analytical calculation methods
Failure mechanism represented by deviatoric shear stresses (FEM)
Tensile force distribution in horizontal reinforcement layers (FEM)
Our services at a glance
Technical advice and design support tailored to your specific project requirements
Customized installation plans, including detailed sketches and instructions
International knowledge sharing on best practice solutions and techniques
Certifications and approvals such as BAM, BAW, BBA, IVG, and SVG
On-site guidance and supply of installation aids
Suggested text templates for tender documentation
Finite Element Method
Discover our VideoCast about FEM
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical procedure used for analyzing strength and deformation in engineering applications. HUESKER utilizes this method to examine complex interactions of high and variable stresses on crane platforms. Our videocast demonstrates how FEM is applied in the analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced structures.
Geosynthetics in use
Interaction: flexible and robust
The use of geosynthetics in base course reinforcement is highly versatile. Our geogrids and geotextiles provide reinforcement, separation, and filtration functions, enhancing the load-bearing capacity of the base course and improving trafficability. Additionally, they help significantly reduce rut depth and base course thickness. Fortrac geogrids, Stabilenka and Stabilenka Xtreme geofabrics and Basetrac Duo-C geocomposites are particularly well-suited for wind farm construction, where HUESKER specializes in reinforcing access roads and developing stable crane platforms and assembly areas. Fortrac geogrids offer exceptional interaction flexibility, a unique characteristic of flexible geosynthetics.
Good interaction flexibility results from the optimal interplay of macro-, meso-, and micro-interlocking, along with high adaptability to the surrounding soil. The increased contact area significantly enhances the composite behavior, improving the interaction between soil and reinforcement.
Composite flexibility
Project examples
The Basecalculator
The BaseCalculator, available online, helps determine the required base course thickness for traffic areas. With just a few clicks, the software suggests the appropriate HUESKER geosynthetics and provides insights into potential base course material savings. This service is available free of charge and does not require time-consuming registration.
