Beneath the Build: Staying on Schedule After Inclement Weather

When the skies open and your construction schedule is on the line, the right ground stabilization solution can make the difference between costly delays and a smooth finish. That was the reality for a modular home development project, Forest Meadows in Philomath, Oregon, where relentless rainfall threatened to derail the pavement phase.

Originally, the pavement design called for 3.5 inches of asphalt over 24 inches of aggregate. Now, the pavement section was suddenly at risk due to the saturated, high-plasticity clay subgrade. This historic storm hit the region, causing flooding that reduced the subgrade strength to a CBR of less than 1%. The site was a mess, and delays seemed inevitable.


Tensar, which had been invited on site to address ground stabilization challenges, was already engaged with the project and quickly mobilized to adapt. Using DCP testing to assess the now-saturated conditions, the team recommended a revised solution using Tensar® InterAx® X850™ geogrid placed under just 12 inches of aggregate and 3 inches of asphalt -  saving time, materials, and money.

Even with tough conditions, the project not only stayed on track, Tensar’s design revision eliminated 12 inches of aggregate and half an inch of asphalt from the original plan, while still meeting performance requirements.  The NX850 geogrid design delivered both structural support and schedule resilience.

In total, the project saved an estimated $158,000, or around $7 per square yard, avoided weather-related delays, and demonstrated the power of responsive engineering and proven geogrid technology.

Did you miss this episode of Beneath the Build? Watch it now!

For questions or site evaluations, contact your local Tensar expert 



About Beneath the Build:
Beneath the Build is a video series that helps contractors and other construction pros maximize profitability and performance on their job sites. What happens beneath the surface determines the success of every project. Win more bids, improve efficiency and discover new insights every Friday when the latest episode is released.