AquaTerratm Fundamentals

Engineers have known for years that they can eliminate the soil load acting on a retaining wall by reinforcing the backfill with a geogrid or geotextile system.  But until now, there has never been a way to attach geogrid or geotextile to sheet piling.  Introducing AquaTerra - another industry first from Northstar!

Syn • er • gy
n. pl. syn • er • gies
The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Synergistic is the Best Way to Describe the New Relationship Between Sheet Piling and Geogrid Reinforcements.

Take a look at the picture of the masonry block wall below.  Walls like this one are found anywhere there is grade separation.  Did you know that once this wall is complete, the masonry blocks become nothing more than a fascia system? The geogrid reinforcements that are located at certain intervals in the backfill "stack the soil" and virtually eliminates the entire load that would have otherwise exerted itself against the wall. These reinforcements are attached to the blocks using a variety of methods.

For years, engineers have known that if they had a method to connect geogrid or geotextile to a sheet pile, the same benefits would apply and they could use a shorter, lighter gauge sheet pile in their application.  But until now, there has not been a connection for a "sheet pile-to-grid" system. Northstar is proud to introduce AquaTerra, the first sheet pile-to-grid connection system ever!

AquaTerra is already having a dramatic effect how retaining walls are designed and installed.  Retaining walls that were once reserved for steel sheet piling are now being designed with light gauge vinyl or composite sheet piling supplied by Northstar.  This system is marketed and sold jointly under an exclusive agreement between Northstar and Tensar International Corporation, a World Leader in Grade-Separation Solutions.

Compared to traditional sheet pile design methods, the sheet piling used in an AquaTerra system is reduced by almost half!  In applications where AquaTerra is appropriate, given material, freight, and installation savings, there is no better or cost-effective way to build.

This 400 meter AquaTerra Wall System replaces a design that was once reserved for steel sheet piling.

Unlike block and concrete panel systems, sheet piling can be driven and embedded to predefined depths to eliminate piping, stabilize weak soils, or to address global stability issues.

The 100% synthetic design of the AquaTerra system meets any service life test.

Once the sheet piles are installed, an AquaTerra Wall System is easily backfilled. 

Geogrid length is typically 70% of the total wall height.

Installation is Easy. Download the AquaTerra Installation Guide.

There are no outer wales or face piles on an AquaTerra System - a huge benefit over other synthetic sheet pile systems!

Once the lift is in place, the soil is compacted and the next course of grid is installed.

See A 14 Foot Tall AquaTerra Upland Retaining Wall.

US and Foreign Patents Pending.  For more information on AquaTerra, contact your Northstar or Tensar Representative today!