Geogrids reinforce soils with low bearing capacity or tall walls and slopes. The choice between biaxial, triaxial and uniaxial is not a nuance: each one is calibrated for a distinct structural function (bidirectional reinforcement of bases, multidirectional reinforcement of platforms, or directional reinforcement of MSE walls). This comparison of the three MOLTEXO geogrids helps you decide which one fits your engineering project.
🎯 Choose in 10 seconds
- If you are reinforcing road bases, parking lots and platforms with vehicular loads in two directions: go to Biaxial geogrid
- If you are stabilizing soft soils with multidirectional loads and require the additional performance of the triaxial: go to Triaxial geogrid
- If you are building retaining walls (MSE), reinforced slopes and bridge abutments with directional tension: go to Uniaxial geogrid
What to consider before choosing
Before buying, evaluate these four criteria. They determine whether the geogrid delivers the calculated structural performance or compromises the project's safety.
- Structural function of the project: bidirectional reinforcement of bases (biaxial), omnidirectional confinement under multidirectional loads (triaxial), or directional reinforcement of MSE walls with tension perpendicular to the wall (uniaxial). Each geogrid is calibrated for its function — using biaxial in an MSE wall invalidates the project calculations.
- Tensile strength and direction: biaxial 40 kN/m bidirectional to distribute loads in bases; triaxial 10 kN/m with confinement in three directions to stabilize dispersed loads; uniaxial 80 kN/m directional to support backfill thrust in walls and slopes. The strength must match the engineer's calculation.
- Type of backfill and aggregate: all work with crushed stone, gravel and cohesive soil under design, but with different efficiency. The triaxial confines angular aggregate better thanks to its triangular apertures; the biaxial works with aggregate and cohesive soil; the uniaxial allows interlock with aggregate or soil under engineering design.
- Creep and service life: MSE walls require low creep so the structure does not deform progressively over the years — the uniaxial is calibrated for low creep. Road bases and platforms have a lower creep requirement and work well with biaxial or triaxial. MOLTEXO's virgin PP maintains its toughness for decades.
Biaxial geogrid: bidirectional reinforcement of road bases
- Virgin PP extruded and stretched in two directions
- 40 kN/m bidirectional strength
- Mechanical interlock with aggregate in rigid apertures
- Reduction of aggregate base thickness vs. traditional solution
- Fast deployment without specialized machinery
- Not optimized for multidirectional loads (use triaxial)
- Not suitable for MSE walls (use uniaxial)
Roll of biaxial geogrid made of virgin polypropylene (PP) extruded and stretched in two directions, strength 40 kN/m, width 6 m (19.7 ft) and length 50 m (164 ft). Designed for reinforcement of bases and subbases of paved roads, unpaved roads and industrial roads with continuous traffic; stabilization of commercial parking lots, maneuvering yards and industrial platforms; shallow foundations over soft soils in residential and commercial projects; temporary access roads on construction sites and mining operations.
Triaxial geogrid: omnidirectional confinement
- Triangular geometry with strength in three directions (0°, 60°, 120°)
- Omnidirectional confinement superior to the biaxial
- Additional optimization of aggregate base thickness
- Inert structural PP for underground work
- Compatible with all granular aggregate and natural soil
- Higher unit cost than biaxial (justified for multidirectional loads)
- 10 kN/m strength: complements the geometry, does not replace it
Roll of triaxial geogrid made of structural polypropylene (PP) with strength 10 kN/m, width 3.95 m (13 ft) and length 50 m (164 ft). Triangular structure extended in three directions for distribution of multidirectional loads. Designed for reinforcement of bases and subbases of roads, unpaved roads and industrial roads with heavy vehicular traffic; stabilization of industrial platforms, commercial parking lots and maneuvering yards with continuous loads; foundations over swampy, clayey and low bearing capacity soils; runways at small airports and railways.
Uniaxial geogrid: directional reinforcement for walls and slopes
- PP stretched directionally with strength 80 kN/m
- Low creep for prolonged service life of walls
- Auditable strength for engineering design
- Interlock with granular and cohesive backfill
- Economical alternative to traditional reinforced concrete
- Directional strength: orientation critical on site
- Not suitable for base reinforcement (use biaxial or triaxial)
Roll of uniaxial geogrid made of polypropylene (PP) stretched in one direction with strength 80 kN/m, width 3 m (9.8 ft) and length 100 m (328 ft). Designed for mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls in road, urban and residential retaining; steep slopes and reinforced embankments in road and urban development projects; slope stabilization with landslide risk, especially in tropical areas with intense seasonal rainfall; abutments of small bridges and access ramps in road works with reinforced soil.
Comparison table
| Feature | Biaxial | Triaxial | Uniaxial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural function | Bidirectional reinforcement | Omnidirectional confinement | Directional reinforcement |
| Tensile strength | 40 kN/m (2.74 kip/ft) | 10 kN/m (0.7 kip/ft) | 80 kN/m (5.5 kip/ft) |
| Working directions | Two (longitudinal and transverse) | Three (0°, 60°, 120°) | One (longitudinal) |
| Main application | Road bases, parking lots | Platforms with multidirectional loads | MSE walls, slopes, abutments |
| Material | Virgin extruded PP | Structural PP | Directionally stretched PP |
| Roll width | 6 m (19.7 ft) | 3.95 m (13 ft) | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Roll length | 50 m (164 ft) | 50 m (164 ft) | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Creep | Standard | Standard | Low (calibrated for walls) |
Use case → recommended product matrix
| If your case is… | Recommended product |
|---|---|
| Reinforcement of road base with bidirectional vehicular traffic | → Biaxial geogrid |
| Commercial parking lot over soft soil with vehicular loads | → Biaxial geogrid |
| Industrial platform with heavy equipment traffic in two directions | → Biaxial geogrid |
| Temporary road on construction site over inadequate natural soil | → Biaxial geogrid |
| Residential foundation over soft or swampy ground | → Biaxial geogrid |
| Industrial platform with dispersed vehicular loads in multiple directions | → Triaxial geogrid |
| Stabilization of very soft soils with complex traffic | → Triaxial geogrid |
| Runway at small airport with multidirectional loads | → Triaxial geogrid |
| Railway with dispersed loads in areas of low bearing capacity | → Triaxial geogrid |
| MSE retaining wall in road or urban works several meters high | → Uniaxial geogrid |
| Steep slope or reinforced embankment in road project | → Uniaxial geogrid |
| Slope stabilization with landslide risk due to rainfall | → Uniaxial geogrid |
| Small bridge abutment with reinforced soil as a structural solution | → Uniaxial geogrid |
Before buying, define three data points: the structural function (base reinforcement, confinement or MSE wall), the direction of the loads (one, two or several axes) and the tensile strength required by the engineering calculation. The rule of thumb: road bases and parking lots → biaxial; multidirectional loads over very soft soil → triaxial; walls and slopes with tension perpendicular to the wall → uniaxial. For critical projects always consult the structural engineer's calculation before buying.
Do not use biaxial or triaxial geogrid in structural MSE walls. These geogrids are not calibrated for low creep under sustained load, so the wall can deform progressively over the years. MSE walls require uniaxial geogrid with auditable creep. Conversely: using uniaxial in road bases wastes structural capacity in a direction that is not needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I substitute one geogrid for another if I cannot get the calibrated one?
Not for structural projects. Each geogrid is calibrated for a function with specific engineering calculations: substituting uniaxial with biaxial in an MSE wall invalidates the project calculations and compromises structural safety. For non-critical projects always consult the structural engineer before changing.
Does the triaxial geogrid replace the biaxial in road bases?
In very soft soil conditions or complex multidirectional loads, the triaxial provides additional performance that justifies its cost. In standard road base conditions with bidirectional traffic, the biaxial remains the optimal cost-benefit option. The engineering calculation defines which one fits best.
How much does the use of geogrid reduce the aggregate base thickness?
It depends on the soil condition, the geogrid used and the project loads. As a general reference, the biaxial can allow a significant reduction in base thickness; the triaxial can provide additional reduction in very soft soil conditions. The specific calculation is always done by the structural engineer.
