PRS-NEOWEB

for Permeable
Interlocking
Concrete
Pavement (PICP)
Systems

PRS-EN-TD-LS-2004 Rev. 13.0

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
www.prs-med.com

2013 Copyright and Proprietary of PRS. Certain products and/or applications described or illustrated are
protected under international patents. Final suitability of any information or material for use and its
manner of use is the sole responsibility of the authorized user.

Permeable Concrete Block

Pavements
Permeable Interlocked Concrete Pavement PICP
(or Concrete Block Permeable Pavement CBPP)
are aesthetically and environmentally sound
solutions for a range of pavement structures. There
are three basic PICP application types depending
on use and subgrade, despite the similarity of each
paving system on the surface:

Permeable pavements provide sustainable

on-site drainage that maximizes infiltration
and filtering

Load bearing pavements utilize

impermeable reinforced structural layer for
heavy duty applications, such as ports

Low impact pavements are semi-permeable,

aesthetically attractive surfaces for low impact
development, e.g., pedestrian-vehicular paths

Whereas each of these applications depend upon

the quality and permeability of the subgrade and
support layers,
the PRS-Neoweb cellular
confinement system can be integrated with each
application to reinforce the structural layers,
maximize service life and reduce aggregate costs.

PRS-Neoweb Reinforcement
PRS-Neoweb is comprised of 3D perforated and
textured geocells in a honeycomb structure. A
composite system is created by the unique
interaction of stiff polymer alloy, aggregate infill
and 3D geometry. PRS-Neoweb is typically
integrated in the base or subbase of a flexible
pavement structure to provide soil reinforcement.

Vertical Pressure Isobars showing the beam effect in PRSNeoweb reinforced subgrade

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The PRS-Neoweb sections distribute loads over a

wider area, creating a 3D geocell beam or slab with
high flexural strength and stiffness. This decreases
differential vertical settlement, improves shear
strength, and enhances load-bearing capacity. The
cellular confinement also maintains aggregate
/infill compaction for long-term performance. The
result is a cost-effective solution that extends the
life-span of permeable concrete pavement
structures.

Neoloy Novel Polymeric

Alloy
The PRS-Neoweb is composed of Neoloy novel
polymeric alloy (NPA) that combines the fatigue
resistance of HDPE with the dimensional stability
and creep resistance of polyester. Neoloy gives the
PRS-Neoweb unique strength, stiffness and
durability. Neoloy is also non-degradable, highly
resistant to chemicals and water, and retains its
properties under thermal cycling at very low and
high temperatures.

Sustainable Benefits
PRS-Neoweb offers a wide range of
environmental, engineering and economic
benefits for all types of paving block solutions.

PRS-Neoweb in permeable pavements can

utilize larger-size, low grade stone instead of
quality infill, to provide the same or better
water attenuation to meet sustainable
drainage guidelines.

Used for load support reinforcement in nonpermeable load bearing pavements, PRSNeoweb can reduce or eliminate the thickness
of substrata and/or bituminous layers, while
increasing bearing capacity; applications would
be inter-modal ports and container yards.

In partially-permeable low impact pavements,

PRS-Neoweb reinforcement significantly
reduces the structural layer thickness, while
utilizing inferior fill, thereby reducing the need
for, and cost of, high-quality aggregate.

In addition, reinforcement with PRS-Neoweb

significantly increases the service life of all types
of pavement structures. This reduces
operational and maintenance costs, while
lowering the total cost of ownership.

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Permeable Pavements
FULL INFILTRATION PERMEABLE
GROUND AND SUBBASE

PICP provide a sustainable drainage solution as

the voids between paving blocks reduce storm
runoff and filter pollutants by infiltration through
the sub-surface aggregate. Stormwater is
effectively controlled at the source, while the
volume, peak and frequency of runoff are
reduced. At the same time, water quality is
improved as pollutants are filtered in the
substrata layers.

Full infiltration depends upon a

permeable subgrade as well as
permeable subbase and laying course
infill materials. Water is temporarily
retained in the permeable subbase layer
before infiltrating the subgrade.
As almost all water infiltrates the
ground, water is not discharged into
conventional
drainage
systems,
eliminating the need for pipes and
gullies.

Integrated Water
Management
Todays planning policies and construction
guidelines mandate water strategies based on
Integrated Water Management (IWM) or similar
terms used in different countries. IWM seeks to
mitigate the impact of surface water discharges,
improve runoff quality, reduce the risk of flooding
and augment potable water resources.

This method achieves maximum run-off

attenuation, highest filtering and
removal of pollutants and is the most
economic solution.

Stormwater runoff, once considered a nuisance to

be removed of as quickly as possible, is now
considered a resource to be managed locally,
close to where it hits the ground. The idea is to
reduce the impact of built areas and promote the
natural movement of water on-site by harvesting
and infiltration to underground water sources.

water storage capacity (void space between the

aggregates) is typically 30-40%. This allows
gradual dissipation into the subgrade or water
attenuation system. The PRS-Neoweb cells
confine and reinforce the infill, providing high
bearing capacity for the pavement structure. PRSNeoweb can utilize larger stone with greater
voiding for equal or better water attenuation
for the same layer thickness and storage volume.

PRS-Neoweb integrated in the structural layers of

concrete paving block systems can best reduce
stormwater by maximizing infiltration in structural
layers, thereby reducing runoff and flooding and
filtering pollutants.

Uncompacted Subgrade
In some permeable pavements, subgrade
compaction is avoided to preserve the soils
natural permeability. However, this requires a
thicker pavement structure to compensate for the
low bearing capacity of uncompacted soil. PRSNeoweb offers an ideal soil reinforcement
solution. PRS-Neoweb reinforcement in the
subbase layer reduces vertical stresses on the
subgrade by 50% (Mayer, 2005), thereby artificially
raising the subgrade strength and effective CBR.
The increase in designed subgrade modulus can
help to eliminate, or at least, reduce the need for
a thicker pavement structure.

Open-Grade Aggregate
Open-graded base material (washed, crushed
stone or gravel) is recommended for permeable
pavements (bedding, base and subbase courses)
with PRS-Neoweb because it maximizes storage,
filtering and treatment of pollutants.
Although open-graded stone is more difficult to
compact and has lower strength than
engineered stone (dense-graded mixes), its

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Load Bearing Pavements

NO INFILTRATION/
NON-PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS

PRS-Neoweb provides high load bearing capacity

and long-term durability required for structural
pavements. This can eliminate impervious
structural layers and utilize inferior granular soils
for infill that lack engineering strength but provide
high permeability.

This method allows complete capture of

the runoff in cases where subgrade permeability is poor or it contains pollutants.
An impermeable geomembrane is placed
on top of the subgrade to prevent infiltration and outlet piping diverts the water to supplementary drainage devices
(ponds, waterways or sewage systems).

Vertical loading on the PRS-Neoweb confined cells

creates a semi-rigid slab or beam effect over
soft soils. This distributes the load evenly and
effectively over a wider area, while increasing
bearing capacity by a factor of 5 and decreasing
settlement by up to 80% (Meyer, 2005).

This method is recommended for

brownfield/contaminated sites to
prevent runoff from leaching pollutants
into the groundwater.

Reduced vertical loading results in an artificial/

effective increase in subgrade strength by a factor
of 2-3, while PRS-Neoweb reinforcement can
improve the pavement structural soundness by a
factor of 5 (Kief and Rajagopal, 2008). At the same time
the stiff geocell walls maintain long-term
confinement and compaction, to provide reliable
performance and extend the pavement lifespan.

of up to 150 tons and replace other reinforced

methods; for example the need for cementitious
or bituminous layer, which often entails high
installation costs, longer installation time and
specialist contractors.

Reduce Layer Thickness

and Use Inferior Infill
The high performance of PRS-Neoweb
confinement enables a reduction in the thickness
of structural pavements both the substrata and
asphalt layers or even the elimination of layers.
Road trials have demonstrated that the pavement
thickness reduction factor for PRS-Neoweb can
exceed 70% (Van Gurp, Westera, 2008). At the same
time, PRS-Neoweb improves the performance of
non-cohesive / inferior fill, such as fine granular
soils and recycled materials.

Eliminate or Reduce
Bituminous Layer Costs

Very Long Service Life

Conventional design of paving block systems for

inter-modal platforms and other areas subject to
heavy loading and trafficking often utilize a
stabilized cementitious or bituminous layer
between the laying course/paving blocks and the
subbase layer for stiffness and strength.

PRS-Neoweb is very creep resistant providing the

stiffness and long-term dimensional stability (CTE
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion <80 ppm/oC)
required for long-term reinforcement, even under
heavy static or cyclical loadings and elevated
temperatures. Deformation of PRS-Neoweb is also
low, as the Neoloy alloy long-term performance is
maintained throughout the entire service life of a
project.

The PRS-Neoweb reinforcement capabilities

enable placement of PRS-Neoweb in the base
layer, below the paving blocks and leveling
course. This reinforced layer can support loading

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Low Impact Pavements

PARTIAL INFILTRATION

LID seeks to merge long-term economic and

environmental considerations into the land
development process. Key LID principles are the
management of stormwater and minimization of
impervious surfaces that impact local hydrology
and water quality.

This method is used in situations in

which the subgrade cannot absorb the
entire amount of rainfall/runoff water. A
percentage of the rainfall successfully
permeates the infill layers.

PRS-Neoweb
integrated
with
permeable
interlocking concrete pavements offers a best
management practice for sustainable low impact
pavements in with low traffic loads, volumes and
speeds. Where ground conditions prevent full
infiltration, PRS-Neoweb low impact pavements
can slow down and partially filter runoff, thereby
reducing flooding and improving water quality,
while supplemental drainage devices deal with
excess water.

Excess water is diverted via piping on top

of the subgrade layer to supplementary
drainage devices (ponds, waterways or
sewage systems).
This method reduces the volume and
rate of runoff.

Reduce Pavement
Thickness and Project Costs

Sustainable Method
PRS-Neoweb is a green solution that makes road
construction more sustainable. By reducing the
amount and type of infill needed to reinforce soil,
the use of haulage and earthmoving equipment is
reduced. This, in turn, decreases fuel use,
pollution and the carbon footprint, and at the
same time minimizes on-site disruption from dust,
erosion and runoff.

PRS-Neoweb geocells integrated in the structural

layers of paving block systems can be used to
provide higher water storage and filtration
capabilities than conventional granular systems or
a 30-40% or more reduction in pavement
thickness (Jefferies, 2008, Interpave). In fact in geogrid
vs. geocell comparison tests, PRS-Neoweb
achieved a road base thickness reduction factor
(Van Gurp, Westera, 2008) of over 70%. The reduced
structural pavement thickness results in
significant savings of time, money and manpower
in initial construction costs.

The design of pavement surfaces with PRSNeoweb and PICP also helps to meet LID goals to
conserve green space and natural resources,
while implementing water management policies.

Long Service Life

Increased Performance
from Inferior Fill

Reinforcement with geocells increases the service

life of heavily loaded and heavily trafficked
pavement structures. The result is lower
operational and maintenance costs, while the
total life-cycle costs (Total Cost of Ownership) of
the pavement system are decreased as well.

At the same time PRS-Neoweb improves the

performance of non-cohesive, local and/or
ungraded inferior infill (even those grades
considered unsuitable for use with 2D geogrids).
For example, non-cohesive material such as sand
attains sufficient strength and stiffness when
confined by PRS-Neoweb. The 3D vertical zone of
influence enables the use of poorly graded and
fine granular materials, including local native soils,
quarry or dredged sands, and recycled
construction waste for heavy load support
applications.

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Case Study Pavers Used

to Rehabilitate Shipyard
CHALLENGE
The asphalt pavements of the large working
platform docks at the Israel Shipyards suffer
severe cracking and deterioration. Voids in the
sand subgrade (which fill the docks steel
frame) were caused as a result of the saturated
marine conditions. Heavy loading from the
Shipyards 100 ton cranes, heavy machinery and
container-loaded trucks combined with
inadequate structural reinforcement caused
failure of the platform surface and substructure
layers. The entire structural pavement needed
to be replaced with durable reinforcement over
the unstable subgrade at sufficient bearing
capacity for the entire range of Shipyard
activities. The Shipyard was interested in fast
and cost-efficient construction methods to
reduce operational downtime and minimize
work backlogs.

PRS-NEOWEB SOLUTION
PRS-Neoweb geocells were chosen for the
wharf rehabilitation due to its engineering
advantages (load bearing and distribution,
reduced settlement) and long-term design
strength. The entire pavement structure was
first removed due to excessive damage. Then
20 cm PRS-Neoweb infilled with local sand was
installed over the geotextile and compacted
sand subgrade. 100% infill compaction was
certified by nuclear density gauge and
GeoGauge devices. Above the PRS-Neoweb a 12
cm granular subbase layer and a well-graded 20
cm aggregate layer stabilized with 5% cement
were installed. The surface layer was comprised
of 8 cm standard concrete paving blocks on a 3
cm compacted sand leveling course.

TRADITIONAL APPROACH
The conventional approach was to use a 35 cm
reinforced concrete pavement structure strong
enough to form a bridge over the soft subgrade.
This would have required not only large
amounts of concrete and steel, but large
quantities of high quality aggregate for a 30 cm
subbase as well. Estimated construction time
and costs for this structure were considerable.

CLIENT BENEFITS

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Fast installation
Increased load bearing and distribution
meets shipyards requirements
Semi-rigid mattress reduces differential
settlement thereby minimizing degradation
Excellent drainage & durability in saturated
conditions best suited for marine platform
Use of local sand for structural infill
Long term durable life-span & cost-effective

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Benefits of PRS-Neoweb
Integrated with PICP

TURF AND AGGREGATE SURFACE

POROUS PAVEMENT OPTIONS

The following summarizes the benefits of PRSNeoweb

cellular
confinement
system
reinforcement of permeable interlocking
concrete pavement systems:

PRS-Neoweb in the pavement base layer can

provide soft alternatives to hard-surface
paving. A turf surface over topsoil infill
maximizes aesthetics, while providing good
load support. Aggregate infill maximizes load
support for heavy vehicles in low traffic
areas.

Improved Load Transfer

Continuous semirigid beam effect

High load transfer due to 3D beam-effect
Reduces differential settlement
Increases pavement lifespan

APPLICATIONS emergency and

maintenance vehicle access, auxiliary
parking lots, golf paths, pedestrian trails

Confinement of Granular Material

REINFORCEMENT load support for

heavy vehicles (up to H20 loading, 36
tons, 145 kN axle loads) on weak and
loose subgrades

Distributed applied traffic loads reduces

vertical stresses on the subgrade surface
Results in apparent increase of subgrade
strength/CBR (subgrade modulus)
Provides long-term compaction

NATURAL RUNOFF SYSTEM turf and/or

confined granular soil layer maximizes
drainage and filtering

Reduction of Structural Layer

Thickness Non-Infiltrating Systems

SUSTAINABLE local/inferior soil be used

for structural infill

Significantly reduce subbase and/or base

layers
Reduce or eliminate cementitious/
bituminous layer
Enables use of low quality/local granular infill

DURABLE confinement maintains soil

compaction and long-term performance

Sustainability Economical &

Environmental

Easy and fast all-weather installation by work

crews (trained onsite)
Reduces equipment manpower and
construction time
Can reduce infill requirements thereby
decreasing quarrying, hauling, fuel and
carbon pollution

REFERENCES
Ferguson, Bruce K. (2009), Porous Pavements, CRC
Press, Florida, US
Kief, O., and Rajagopal, K. (2008) 3D Cellular
Confinement System Contribution to Structural
Pavement Reinforcement. Geosynthetics India 08
Jefferies, Chris (2008), Understanding Permeable
Paving, Interpave, UK

Service Life Cost Effective

Large initial construction savings lower

(quality and quantity) cost aggregate, reduced
pavement structure, less earthwork.
Lower maintenance costs PRS-Neoweb
reinforcement reduces Operational
&Maintenance expenditures.
Elimination or reduction of drainage systems
reduces project costs as well as
maintenance costs.

PRS-EN-TD-LS-2004

Total Cost of Ownership (whole lifecycle

costs) long-term service life of pavement
provided by PRS-Neoweb reinforcement
provides a fast Return on Investment (ROI)

Fact Sheets (2008), Interlocking Concrete Pavement

Institute, Virginia, US
Meyer, N (2005) "Mechanical Behavior of Geocell
Reinforced Soils ", Synthetic Materials in Geotechnics
Congress, Technical University Clausthal, Germany
Van Gurp, C.A.P.M., Westera, G.E. (2008) Geogrid
Trial Road Base NL 2008, KOAC-NPC, Final Report.

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PRS-Neoweb
Applications

Certified Quality
PRS is the largest and most advanced
manufacturer of geocells in the world, with
unsurpassed manufacturing capacity. In addition
to ISO-14001 for environmental management and
ISO 9001 certification for quality management,
PRS maintains stringent quality control
procedures with zero-defect quality standards for
materials and workmanship. PRS fully complies
with CE Marking standards, and meets all relevant
European Directives for construction products,
factory production control and full product
traceability.

PRS delivers the fastest, strongest , greenest and

most durable ground improvement solutions for:

Load Support
Slope & Channel Protection
Earth Retention
Reservoir & Landfills

About PRS

Next Generation Geocell

Technology

PRS is the world's leading supplier of costeffective soil stabilization solutions, combining
unique, proprietary PRS-Neoweb technology with
specialized engineering expertise. With a global
network of regional offices and distribution, PRS
provides a full range of end-to-end support
services. Since its establishment in 1996, PRS has
implemented thousands of successful projects in
over 45 countries worldwide. PRS leadership is
backed up by extensive R&D in geocell technology
and manufacturing.

PRS-Neowebs mechanical, physical and chemical

engineering properties are demonstrated by its
long-term resistance to creep, fatigue and stresscracking, as well as oxidation, temperature
extremes and UV light exposure. These abilities
extend PRS-Neowebs design life well beyond
conventional geocell technology and provide a
clear value proposition compared to other
geocells, geogrids and other reinforcement
geosynthetics.

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