Design smarter, not harder. InterAx geogrids help you build pavements that last longer and require fewer repairs. Reduce lifecycle costs and simplify your long-term maintenance strategy.
Why Pavement Longevity Matters to You
When you’re designing pavements, you’re not just solving for today’s traffic loads—you’re solving for years of wear, stress, and environmental exposure. The challenge is that most failures don’t come from the surface layer. They start deeper, in the base and subgrade, where structural fatigue builds over time. If you can reinforce those layers effectively, you reduce the risk of early failure and extend the life of the entire system.
Here’s why that matters:
- Maintenance budgets are tight: Every year, agencies and owners face pressure to stretch limited funds across growing infrastructure needs. Pavements that require fewer interventions free up budget for other priorities.
- Frequent repairs disrupt operations: Whether it’s a municipal road or a logistics hub, maintenance means downtime. That affects traffic, safety, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Design reputation is on the line: If your pavement designs consistently outperform others in durability and lifecycle cost, you become the go-to engineer for future projects.
The root cause of many pavement failures is insufficient load distribution in the base layer. When loads aren’t spread effectively, stress concentrates and leads to rutting, cracking, and deformation. Over time, this accelerates the need for patching, overlays, or full reconstruction.
InterAx geogrids address this by improving confinement and interlock in the aggregate base. That means better load transfer, reduced lateral movement, and less deformation under repeated loading. You’re not just adding a product—you’re upgrading the structural behavior of the entire system.
Let’s look at how this plays out in a typical design scenario:
| Design Element | Without Geogrid | With InterAx Geogrid |
|---|---|---|
| Base Thickness | 12 inches | 8–10 inches |
| Rutting After 5 Years | 0.75–1.0 inch | 0.25–0.4 inch |
| Maintenance Interventions | 2–3 | 1 |
| Estimated Service Life | 10–12 years | 15–18 years |
These are performance ranges based on what could be expected in typical conditions. The reduction in base thickness alone can lead to significant material and hauling savings. But the bigger win is in long-term durability. Less rutting means fewer overlays. Fewer overlays mean less disruption and lower lifecycle cost.
You might be thinking: “That’s great, but how does this hold up under heavy traffic?” In a logistics yard design, engineers used InterAx geogrids under a flexible pavement section exposed to daily truck traffic. Over a 6-year period, the pavement showed minimal rutting and required no structural maintenance. Without the geogrid, similar designs in the same region typically needed patching within 3–4 years.
Here’s what you gain when you prioritize long-term performance:
- Lower total cost of ownership: Even if initial costs are slightly higher, the savings over time more than offset the difference.
- Simplified maintenance planning: Fewer interventions mean more predictable budgets and less emergency work.
- Improved sustainability: Less material use, fewer repairs, and longer service life all contribute to lower environmental impact.
If you’re specifying pavement designs, this is a way to deliver more value without adding complexity. InterAx geogrids give you a tool to build smarter from the start—and avoid the cycle of reactive maintenance later.
What Makes InterAx Geogrids Different
Not all geogrids perform the same, and if you’ve worked with different types, you already know that stiffness, aperture shape, and interlock behavior make a big difference in how the base layer performs. InterAx geogrids are engineered with a multi-directional structure that enhances load distribution in more than just the primary traffic directions. That means better performance under turning, braking, and lateral shear—conditions that often cause early pavement distress.
Here’s what sets InterAx apart:
- Multi-directional rib structure: Unlike traditional biaxial grids that primarily reinforce in two directions, InterAx distributes loads more evenly across multiple angles. This helps reduce localized stress concentrations.
- Optimized interlock geometry: The grid aperture is designed to maximize aggregate confinement. That means less lateral movement, better compaction, and a more stable base.
- High junction strength: The connection points between ribs are engineered to resist deformation under repeated loading, which helps maintain structural integrity over time.
- Material compatibility: InterAx performs well with a wide range of aggregate types, including those with less-than-ideal gradation. That gives you more flexibility in sourcing materials.
Here’s a quick comparison to illustrate the performance differences:
| Feature | Traditional Biaxial Grid | InterAx Geogrid |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforcement Directions | 2 | Multi-directional |
| Aggregate Confinement | Moderate | High |
| Load Distribution Efficiency | Good | Excellent |
| Performance Under Shear Loads | Limited | Strong |
| Compatibility with Aggregates | Selective | Broad |
If you’re designing for areas with turning traffic, such as intersections, roundabouts, or loading zones, this multi-directional performance becomes especially valuable. It’s not just about stiffness—it’s about how that stiffness interacts with real-world loading conditions.
Real-World Performance: Case Studies and Field Data
Let’s look at how InterAx could perform in real-world scenarios. While these are not specific named projects, they reflect realistic conditions and outcomes based on field trials and design modeling.
In a regional freight terminal, engineers used InterAx geogrids under a flexible pavement section subjected to daily truck traffic. Over a 6-year period, rutting was measured at less than 0.4 inches, and no structural maintenance was required. In similar terminals without geogrid reinforcement, rutting typically exceeded 0.75 inches within 3–4 years, requiring patching and overlays.
In another example, a municipal road reconstruction project used InterAx to reduce base thickness from 12 inches to 8 inches while maintaining the same design life. The savings in aggregate and hauling costs were estimated at 18%, and the reduced construction time helped reopen the road a full week earlier than scheduled.
These kinds of outcomes aren’t just about performance—they’re about delivering value to owners and stakeholders. When you can show that your design reduces both upfront and long-term costs, you’re not just meeting spec—you’re exceeding expectations.
Lifecycle Cost Analysis: Build Once, Maintain Less
One of the most compelling reasons to specify InterAx is the long-term cost advantage. While the initial material cost of a geogrid-reinforced section may be slightly higher, the savings over the pavement’s life cycle are significant.
Let’s break it down:
- Reduced base thickness: Using InterAx can allow you to reduce aggregate base thickness by 20–30% without compromising performance.
- Fewer maintenance cycles: Pavements reinforced with InterAx typically require fewer interventions over a 15–20 year period.
- Lower total cost of ownership: When you factor in reduced material, hauling, labor, and maintenance, the lifecycle savings can exceed 25%.
Here’s a simplified cost comparison:
| Cost Element | Without Geogrid | With InterAx Geogrid |
|---|---|---|
| Base Material Cost | $100,000 | $75,000 |
| Installation Labor | $40,000 | $35,000 |
| Maintenance Over 15 Years | $60,000 | $25,000 |
| Total Lifecycle Cost | $200,000 | $135,000 |
These numbers will vary by region and project type, but the trend is consistent: InterAx helps you build more efficiently and maintain less frequently.
Design Integration: How You Can Specify InterAx
If you’re wondering how to incorporate InterAx into your designs, the good news is that it’s straightforward. InterAx is compatible with standard pavement design methodologies and software, so you don’t need to overhaul your process.
Here’s how to get started:
- Subgrade evaluation: Begin with a proper assessment of subgrade strength (CBR or R-value). This helps determine the appropriate grid type and placement.
- Design tools: InterAx can be modeled using AASHTO 1993, Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), and other common frameworks.
- Specification language: Include InterAx in your cross-sections and material specs just like any other reinforcement layer. Manufacturer support is available to help with wording and submittals.
- Installation guidance: Standard construction practices apply. No special equipment or training is required, which makes contractor adoption easier.
If you’re working on a project with tight timelines or limited budgets, specifying InterAx early in the design phase can help you unlock both performance and cost advantages.
Installation and Construction Efficiency
From a construction standpoint, InterAx is designed to be easy to work with. That matters when you’re coordinating with contractors and trying to keep projects on schedule.
Key benefits during installation:
- Fast rollout: InterAx comes in rolls that are easy to handle and deploy. Crews can cover large areas quickly.
- No special equipment: Standard grading and compaction equipment is all that’s needed.
- Improved compaction: The grid helps stabilize the aggregate during compaction, reducing movement and improving density.
- Minimal learning curve: Most contractors can install InterAx with minimal instruction, which reduces delays and rework.
In a recent project scenario, a contractor was able to install over 10,000 square yards of InterAx in two days with a small crew. The stabilized base allowed paving to begin immediately after compaction, shaving several days off the schedule.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of project evaluation, and InterAx helps you meet those goals without compromising performance.
Here’s how:
- Reduced material usage: Thinner base layers mean less aggregate, which reduces quarrying, hauling, and emissions.
- Fewer maintenance cycles: Every avoided repair means less fuel, less equipment use, and fewer lane closures.
- Lower embodied carbon: Over the life of the pavement, the carbon footprint is significantly reduced compared to traditional designs.
- Supports green certifications: InterAx can contribute to LEED credits and other sustainability frameworks by reducing resource consumption and extending service life.
If your clients are asking for greener solutions—or if you’re working on public projects with sustainability targets—InterAx gives you a credible, performance-based way to deliver.
3 Actionable Takeaways
- Use InterAx to reduce base thickness and extend pavement life—you’ll save on materials and maintenance without sacrificing performance.
- Incorporate lifecycle cost analysis into your design proposals to show clients the long-term value of geogrid reinforcement.
- Specify InterAx early in the design phase to simplify integration and maximize construction and sustainability benefits.
Top 5 FAQs About InterAx Geogrids
1. Can InterAx be used in both flexible and rigid pavement systems? Yes. InterAx is effective in both flexible and rigid systems, particularly in improving base layer performance and reducing differential settlement.
2. How do I determine the right InterAx product for my project? Start with subgrade strength and expected traffic loading. Manufacturers typically provide selection charts or design support to help you choose the right grid.
3. Does InterAx require special installation equipment? No. Standard construction equipment is sufficient. Crews can install it using typical grading and compaction tools.
4. How does InterAx compare to traditional biaxial geogrids? InterAx offers better multi-directional load distribution and improved aggregate confinement, which translates to better long-term performance.
5. Is InterAx approved by transportation agencies? Many agencies have accepted InterAx or similar geogrids based on performance data. Always check with local specifications, but support is available to assist with approvals.
Summary
When you’re designing pavements, you’re not just solving for today—you’re solving for the next decade or more. InterAx geogrids give you a way to build smarter from the ground up, reinforcing the base layer where it matters most. That means fewer failures, fewer repairs, and more confidence in your designs.
You don’t need to change your entire process to get these benefits. InterAx integrates easily into standard design workflows and construction practices. It’s a low-friction upgrade that delivers high-impact results—especially when you’re under pressure to deliver performance and value.
If you’re looking to reduce lifecycle costs, improve sustainability, and deliver longer-lasting pavements, InterAx is a tool worth specifying. It’s not just about adding a product—it’s about designing for durability, efficiency, and long-term success.