Barmer, Rajasthan, India | National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)
Barmer, situated in the western part of Rajasthan, is known for its vibrant culture, historical heritage, and natural resources. Economically, Barmer has transformed into an important energy hub due to its substantial crude oil reserves. In light of the mining activities, the alignment of NH 15 has been changed from Km. 123/410 to Km.144/500 along the Jaisalmer-Barmer section, where a power plant is planned to be installed in the Barmer district on EPC mode in the state of Rajasthan.
The existing project involved the construction of a four-lane divided carriageway with paved shoulders from km 0.000 (km 144.200) of NH-15 (New NH-68) to km 21.042 (km 160.700) of NH-15 (New NH-68), including the Barmer bypass, in the State of Rajasthan. The project was executed on EPC mode. The pavement was designed for a design traffic of 60 MSA for the main carriageway and 10 MSA for the service road, considering an effective subgrade CBR of 15%.
Conventional pavement design relies severely on granular aggregates, leading to extensive consumption of natural resources and a high carbon footprint. An effective alternative to enhance pavement performance while conserving natural aggregates, without compromising structural integrity, is the use of geogrid-reinforced pavement systems.
In the present project, the proposed geogrid is TechGrid TGB40, a biaxial polyester geogrid manufactured from high-tenacity, high-molecular-weight, low-carboxyl end-group polyester yarn, ensuring high tensile strength, low creep behaviour, and excellent long-term durability. Such polyester geogrids, commonly referred to as flexible geogrids, redistribute applied loads to the surrounding material through interfacial friction, confinement, and membrane action. The membrane effect limits differential deformation and significantly reduces severe rutting damage to the pavement layer. Reinforcement of the WMM layer thereby reduces vertical deformation, preventing rutting at the pavement surface and enhancing overall pavement performance.
TechFab India has successfully supplied the entire quantity of Techgrid Geogrid within the agreed timeframe and in full compliance with all specified quality requirements. The contractor has completed the pavement base layers to the complete satisfaction of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Project Management Consultant (PMC).
