New innovative calculator for temporary access and haul roads

Photo of a geotechnical engineer designing a road with help of software.

An effective tool for all civil engineers and designers

Naue, one of the leading geosynthetics manufacturers, proudly presents the new Naue UnpavedRoad – modified GH calculator, a comprehensive and economical tool for planning and designing temporary road construction. The calculator greatly simplifies the complex design process by combining the proven principles of the Giroud & Han method (2004) with the product-specific performance characteristics of Naue Secugrid® geogrids and Combigrid® geocomposites. This combination, which is based on independent research, enables an optimised, efficient and safe design to improve the performance of unbound base courses and reduce project costs.

Why the modified Giroud-Han method?

The design concept of the new Naue UnpavedRoad – modified GH calculator is based on the original method of Giroud & Han (2004). It has been further developed to consider the special performance properties of Naue products. Tests have shown that the tensile stiffness of the geogrid at 1% strain (J1%) is a reliable indicator of the combined stabilisation and reinforcement function . This adjustment makes it possible to include the specific performance characteristics of the Secugrid® geogrids and those of the geotextile component of the Combigrid® geocomposites in the design.

By integrating the separation function of the geotextile component, the performance on soft, water-saturated subsoils is also significantly increased. The calculator additionally considers the effect of wheel wandering , allowing a more realistic distribution of vehicle loads on the road surface to be simulated. An additional load conversion tool helps to convert various vehicle and axle loads into equivalent single axle loads (ESALs).

Advantages of the Naue UnpavedRoad – modified GH calculator:

  • Intuitive user interface: The calculator is easily accessible and simple to use for both, experienced engineers and newcomers.

  • Flexibility: The calculator can be used on the move via any web browser or on the desktop, which enables a high degree of flexibility in the application.

  • Cost savings: It calculates the total savings compared to conventional solutions without geosynthetics, based on the stabilisation, reinforcement and separation effect of the entire Secugrid® and Combigrid® product range.

  • Realistic load distribution: By allowing consideration of the wheel wandering effect, a more realistic distribution of vehicle loads on the road surface can be simulated.

  • Load conversion tool: A separate tool for converting different vehicle and axle loads into equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) provides additional planning accuracy.

The new Naue UnpavedRoad – modified GH calculator represents a significant advance in the planning and designing of temporary road infrastructure and supports civil engineers in realising safer and more economical solutions.