Plastic pallets for gravel stabilization?

[piaffepony]

The textile geo cell and plastic gravel grids are pretty expensive. I can get 48x40” plastic pallets for super cheap and was going to pour gravel screening/crushed limestone dust over them and pack it down. Has anyone tried it or can think of reasons it wouldn’t work? If it sounds viable, any ideas on the best way to tie the pallets together/anchor them? I found a picture of someone who used them in a similar fashion as a horse stall flooring ... but obviously the equipment would be much heavier.

I have a sloped entry into my arena that’s kind of steep on one side. We drive in and out of there with the the tractor, gator, trucks and I need to do something about this slope so I don’t destroy my concrete end wall footer. I don’t want to pave it with concrete or asphalt because our soil moves a lot and it’s expensive to maintain.

 

[PILOON]

I have a neighbor that used old carpeting in lieu of geotextile.
Most carpeting is synthetic so it would not rot and serve about the same purpose as geotextile.
Might be an option to consider.

 

[jaxs]

I don't think pallets is the answer. I hear what you are saying about soil shifting,I've had to deal with the same soil for decades. The main cause is shrink when dry(cracks open in surface) and swell when wet. I've had success by; (A) Limit % of swing in soil moisture as much as possible and prevent sudden flooding (standing water) within 10 feet at all cost. (B) Dig footer on all 4 sides,minumn of 12".
(C) Incorprate limestone with top 6" native soil then top it with sand. (D) If slab is in a heated/cooled building,add a moisture barrier to control condensation. (E) Rebar and/or wire mesh on chairs (don't even think of skipping chairs and lifting steel). I've never tried fiber reinforcement so can't say good or bad. (F) In your case where new pour abut's old concrete, install expansion joint board between and caulk surface 2 weeks later with urethane. I would make the approach short and steep as pratical to limit foot print. Use mix as it is delivered,do not add water regardless how loud and long labor whine's.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

why are you looking at the geo grids and geo cells? Geotextiles with high permeability will do what you want. We used them all the time to construct well pads and I spec the material often to support weak sub grades on roadways. The pallets may work, but the geo materials work by spreading the load out. Every where that the pallets come together will be a weak point.

 

[piaffepony]

why are you looking at the geo grids and geo cells? Geotextiles with high permeability will do what you want. We used them all the time to construct well pads and I spec the material often to support weak sub grades on roadways. The pallets may work, but the geo materials work by spreading the load out. Every where that the pallets come together will be a weak point.

I was going to lay the landscape fabric down first and then lay the pallets over and fill with fines. I agree about the weak point though and haven’t figured out the best way to link them together. I also haven’t figured out what kind of border edging to use either. Every time I tried to use just the fabric, it eventually came up and tore and looked like a ratty mess.

 

[fried1765]

I was going to lay the landscape fabric down first and then lay the pallets over and fill with fines. I agree about the weak point though and haven稚 figured out the best way to link them together. I also haven稚 figured out what kind of border edging to use either. Every time I tried to use just the fabric, it eventually came up and tore and looked like a ratty mess.

The best edging I have found is longest available 1/4" (or 3/16"?) x 4" steel with 4" stubs of small angle iron welded on the back at 3' or 4' spacing, for 1/2" or 5/8" x 18" rebar pins to be driven through.
I put down 800 ft. of it 20 years ago.
It may rust away in 100 years, but looks same as new today, and I am very near salt water.