Geopier GeoSpike^SM System

The Geopier GeoSpikeSM system is a patented, low-cost method for strengthening weak railroad track subgrades. This turnkey system creates strong elements in weak subgrade soils and can be installed without even having to remove railroad tracks, ties or ballast. Our crews drive pre-manufactured polymer shells in pairs between rail ties at regular intervals. The shell is driven in-place by inserting a driving mandrel within the shell and advancing the mandrel to design depths.

The expanded top of the shell compresses between ties during insertion and expands back to its original shape after clearing the rail ties to allow for efficient load transfer from the ballast to the GeoSpike system. After driving to design depths, aggregate is placed within the confining GeoSpike shell. The dynamic loads from the passing rail cars arch through the ballast and are effectively transferred through the shell and densely compacted aggregate down to a suitable bearing layer.