Arlington National Cemetery

GEOTERRA® Ground Protection Mats for Sensitive Stabilization Project

Project Details

Sector:
Government

Location:
Arlington, Virginia

General Contractor:
Terra Site Constructors

Installation:
Empire Landscape, LLC

Engineer:
US Army Corps of Engineers

Critical Products:
GEOTERRA® Mat

GEOTERRA Mats installed around statute at Arlington National Cemetery

Project Background

A design-build project at the Arlington National Cemetery stabilized three historical pylons located near the main entrance of the cemetery. The project stabilization scope included installation of push piers and helical anchors, preservation in accordance with Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, site restoration, and supporting elements of work.

Leaning statue in Arlington National cemetery

Ground protection mats for statue project

GEOTERRA mats create stable structure around tree

GEOTERRA mats support heavy equipment at Arlington National Cemetery

GEOTERRA Mats for Ground Protection

Before Terra Site Constructors began stabilization work, Empire Landscape, LLC installed GEOTERRA mats for ground protection.

The GEOTERRA Mats were installed over a base layer of mulch. The mats protected the roots and trunks of the old trees surrounding the construction area while supporting the heavy equipment required for the stabilization project.

The GEOTERRA Mats were connected with a PadLoc® Strap and Clamp and secured in place using the Earth Anchor Crimp Tool and Drive Rod. The installation was overseen by two ISA certified arborists from Empire Landscape and Pat Branin. Pat provided installation instruction while the arborist ensured the trees were carefully protected throughout installation.

GEOTERRA Ground Protection mats were the perfect solution for the Arlington National Cemetery project for several reasons:

Durability: The GEOTERRA Mats offer the equivalent durability of 12 inches of crushed aggregate – as tested by the University of Kansas. Due to the confined work space and the trees, crushed aggregate was not a viable option.

Easy Installation: GEOTERRA Mats are easy to install and remove. The lightweight mats don’t require machinery for installation and can be configured around design restrictions, like the tree in the middle of the work zone.

Improved Stormwater Infiltration: The porous GEOTERRA panels allow for improved water infiltration. Unlike impermeable mats that pool water after a rain event, GEOTERRA mats allow rainwater to percolate into the soil and the tree’s root system.

Weather Resistant: GEOTERRA mats are made from recycled polyethylene that won’t rot or mildew.