Embankments with secondary aggregates: Economical solution for noise protection and stabilisation

A modern transport network is part of our daily life. It enables individual mobility and secures Germany’s status as a commercially attractive business location. At the same time, however, traffic represents one of the biggest annoyances for people and the environment in the form of exhaust gases, fine dust and noise. Due to according noise protection requirements, an increasing number of protective measures in the form of noise barriers or embankments have to be installed. Choosing the use of granova® incinerator bottom ash (IBA) – maybe in combination with other secondary aggregates – can be an attractive solution, not only for the purpose of noise protection, for example, but also for stabilisation measures, especially when large quantities of material are required.

Environmental conditions for use

Ecologically speaking and in accordance with technological and environmental specifications, the construction of an embankment with substitute building materials such as granova® incinerator bottom ash is permitted under the following conditions:

  • Location of the construction project outside water protection areas and outside hydrogeologically sensitive areas such as karst areas
  • Distance between highest expected groundwater level and formation at least 1 m
  • Minimum distance to buildings susceptible to corrosion of 0.5 m
  • Construction under watertight surface layer, i.e. with technical safety measures

Construction design examples

When constructing embankments with secondary building materials, technical and ecological specifications for the construction must be observed. In the following, two variants from the NRW decree (Gem.RdErl.) for IBA are illustrated as examples. Similarly, there are implementation guidelines for other federal states, e.g. according to LAGA Notice M20 or the FGSV leaflet M TS E.

You will find all designs in our detailed German handbook.

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Gem.RdErl. defines execution with substitute building materials

Example 1: Noise barrier, sprayed with bitumen emulsion and covered with natural, cultivable soil according to Gem.RdErl. NRW

Incinerator bottom ash in dams or embankments: Execution according to Gem.RdErl. NRW

Example 2: Embankment, covered with natural, cutivable soil according to Gem.RdErl. NRW

Our service package

As part of our granova® service package, we offer the following services for the construction of major embankments and barriers with incinerator bottom ash:

Incinerator bottom ash in embankments: granova® service package

Advantages at a glance

  • Economically interesting alternative compared to conventional design with primary aggregates
  • Safe and technically solid, high-quality construction
  • No risk of erosion during the construction phase, installation independent of weather conditions
  • Regular, homogenous deliveries and predictable construction times (in contrast to working solely with excavated soil or construction and demolition material)
  • High absorption and sound insulation, extended noise reduction through vegetation, low maintenance
  • Potential for multifunctional use of the embankment (e.g. footpaths and cycle paths)
  • Good integration into the landscape; good location for vegetation
  • CO2 emission savings through local recycling of minerals
  • Use of previous barely used or unused spaces
  • Added value through the creation of a local recreation area
  • Conservation of natural resources and thereby circular economy realisation in municipal spaces
  • Securing jobs in the region through cooperation with local construction companies