Reducing Settlement with BaseLok®

Predicting soil behavior is inherently complex, especially on variable sites or areas with inconsistent soils. Traditional methods to manage settlement often involve deep foundations or extensive ground improvement, which are expensive and slow.

BaseLok provides a load spreading, reinforced, solution. By placing one or more layers of high-stiffness biaxial or multiaxial geogrid within a granular fill platform beneath the structure, we create a Mechanically Stabilized Layer (MSL). This MSL has a high flexural modulus compared to the natural soil. When the load is applied, the MSL distributes the stress over a larger area of the subgrade. For even more extreme loading or exceptionally weak soils, BaseLok GeoCell can be added for complete cellular confinement. This cellular confinement prevents the lateral displacement of infill material, allowing foundations to be safely constructed on soils with very low CBR values. The result is a significant increase in the factor of safety and a more reliable, predictable foundation behavior throughout the building's lifecycle.

This bridging action is particularly effective in reducing differential settlement between adjacent footings or across the length of a continuous mat foundation. The geogrid's ability to interlock with aggregate particles prevents lateral spread, which is the primary driver of vertical settlement in granular layers. By confining the fill, BaseLok ensures that the foundation layer remains stable and stiff over the entire design life of the structure.

Applicable Project Types

• Large industrial centers
• Retail developments
• Residential complexes on variable soils
• Construction over heterogeneous sites
• Foundations near existing structures where settlement control is critical

BaseLok reinforced sections can greatly reduce differential settlement, often allowing projects to proceed with standard shallow foundations where deep foundations were originally specified.