DK3099860T3

DK3099860T3 - Reinforced stabilizer straps for reinforced dam structures with functionalized sheath

Info

Publication number: DK3099860T3
Application number: DK14831041.0T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Kako Nait-Ali; Nicolas Freitag
Original assignee: Terre Armee Int
Priority date: 2014-01-27
Filing date: 2014-12-30
Publication date: 2018-06-06
Also published as: KR20160125398A; EP3099860A1; EP3099860B1; ES2670605T3; CN106133246A; PL3099860T3; US20170009420A1; JP2017505865A; WO2015110725A1; FR3016904B1; FR3016904A1

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of ground reinforcement for the construction of retainer walls. In particular, it relates to a stabilisation strip, also called geostrip, reinforced and useable for reinforced ground structures or reinforced soil for the construction of retainer walls.

State of the art A reinforced embankment structure comprises a fill, a facing and reinforcements connected (or not) to the facing.

The fill is composed of a mixture or an assembly which could comprise at least one material from sand, gravel, fine soil, crushed rocks, recycled materials like materials from demolition of buildings or civil engineering structures, industrial residues, binding agents like lime or cement.

The facing ensures the appearance and the stability of the structure regarding erosion by covering the front face of the retainer wall, in other words, the visible face. It is most often made from prefabricated elements, and juxtaposed in concrete, in the form of slabs or blocks. It can also be constituted of welded metal mesh panels or gabions produced with braided metal threads.

The reinforcements can be made of various materials, such as metal (and more specifically galvanised steel) and synthetic materials. They are implemented in the fill with a density depending on stresses which could be exerted on the structure, the thrust forces of the ground being recovered by the friction between the fill and the reinforcements.

In the vast majority of cases, the reinforcements are provided in the form of stabilisation strips having a length of around 3m to 10m, although shorter or longer strips can be used. The width of the strips is generally between 4cm and 10cm, although it is possible to use strips with widths going up to 10cm or 25cm, even more. The thickness varies, for example, by around 1mm to a few centimetres and is generally between 1mm and 6mm. These stabilisation strips transmit forces into the fill, thus enabling the forces to be distributed.

In particular, it is necessary to transmit the forces between a stabilisation strip and the fill wherein it is placed. Moreover, it is preferable that the stabilisation strip is capable of transmitting the forces over the whole of the length thereof. A solution known to a person skilled in the art consists of using stabilisation strips comprising a longitudinal sheath which interacts with the fill by friction. The stabilisation strips also comprise a reinforcement composed of a set of fibres disposed longitudinally, parallel to one another and submerged inside the sheath in the central part thereof so as to reinforce the resistance to traction. The sheath is generally made of polyethylene, and the fibres made of polyester. When it is necessary, a solution known to a person skilled in the art to increase the friction resistance between the strips and the fill consists of equipping the longitudinal sheath with a central part comprising reinforcement fibres and protruding side parts, in order to best interact with the grains constituting the fill.

The polyester fibres have the disadvantage of being sensitive to the surrounding alkalinity and can be damaged when the stabilisation strips which enclose them are used, for example in basic soils. It is the case, for example, with fine soils treated with lime or hydraulic binding agents enabling to improve their workability and/or their stability.

Thus, it is useful to be able to use other types of fibres which are barely sensitive to the type of fill; for example, polyvinyl alcohol fibres.

The inventors have looked to produce stabilisation strips comprising a polyethylene sheath and a reinforcement composed of a set of polyvinyl alcohol fibres.

During certain adhesion tests between these stabilisation strips and the fill, under strong confinements of fill, it occurred that the fibres slid into the sheath where the strip should keep the integrity thereof, and that the strip was led to slide with respect to the fill surrounding it. It was concluded that there being no chemical bond between the polyethylene sheath and the polyvinyl alcohol fibres, this led to an insufficient adhesion resistance between the fibres and the sheath.

Description of the invention

The present invention looks therefore to alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art defined above. In particular, the present invention looks to enable the production of stabilisation strips which are not sensitive to their environment (and preferably which could be used for different types of fill), while having an increased resistance to traction, and by enabling their mechanical properties to be measured reliably.

For this, the present invention proposes a reinforced stabilisation strip for reinforced embankment structures, comprising long reinforcement fibres and a longitudinal sheath surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres, the sheath being at least partly made of a functionalised polymer material comprising a functionalised polyolefin.

The functionalisation of the polyolefin enables to confer to the functionalised polymer material of the sheath, functional groups with which the reinforcement fibre material can react, thus creating connections between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath which prevent their disconnection by increasing the adhesion force between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath.

Other optional and non-limitative characteristics are presented below.

The functionalised polyolefin advantageously comprises 0.01% to 45% functionalisation.

The functionalised polymer material can comprise a mixture of non-functionalised polymer and functionalised polyolefin. Preferably, the non-functionalised polymer is a non-functionalised polyolefin. Preferably, the non-functionalised polyolefin is a non-functionalised polyethylene, still preferably a nonfunctional, linear, low-density polyethylene. The functionalised polyolefimnon-functionalised polymer mass ratio is between 1:9 and 10:0.

The functionalised polymer material advantageously has a functionalisation gradient with a maximum at contact with the reinforcement fibres and which decreases gradually and away from the reinforcement fibres.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the functionalised polyolefin is a polyolefin substituted by a chemical element having a functional group chosen from mono- or di-carboxylic acid anhydrides or on which the chemical element has been grafted. Preferably, the chemical element is a maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride or an acrylic acid group.

The sheath can further comprise a non-functionalised zone surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material. This non-functionalised zone is made of a non-functionalised polymer, for example the same non-functionalised polymer of the mixture forming the functionalised polymer material, or another.

The reinforcement fibres are advantageously made of a material chosen from polyvinyl alcohol, polyesters, silica glass, linear or aromatic polyamides and metals. The reinforcement fibres can be in the form of threads, strands, or cords: these threads, strands or cords could be spun or braided.

The sheath can further comprise at least one longitudinal edge free from reinforcement fibres and having notches.

The stabilisation strip can have two longitudinal ends attached to one another, thus taking the form of a loop.

The present invention also proposes a stabilisation layer produced at least partly with stabilisation strips such as defined above. This stabilisation layer can be produced in the form of a geogrid formed by a warp and a weft composed of stabilisation strips (1), the warp and the weft being woven or superimposed one on the other. The stabilisation strips of the warp and of the weft are connected at certain intersection points by hot welding or adhesive bonding.

The present invention again proposes a reinforced embankment structure comprising: -fill; and - at least one stabilisation strip such as defined above, and/or at least one stabilisation layer also defined above, said at least one stabilisation strip and/or said at least one stabilisation layer being disposed substantially horizontally on one or more levels in the fill.

This reinforced embankment structure can further comprise a facing and connectors for connecting at least partly the stabilisation strips and/or the stabilisation layers to the facing. These connectors can also be formed by stabilisation strips, in particular those having a loop form.

The present invention finally proposes a method for producing a stabilisation strip such as defined above, said method comprising: - the heating of the functionalised polymer material to at least the temperature for activating the functional group; - the shaping of the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres in order to form the sheath surrounding or enclosing the reinforcement fibres.

The method can further comprise the drawing of the reinforcement fibres, and the shaping of the functionalised polymer material can be done by extruding the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres.

The method can again comprise the heating of the non-functionalised polymer and the drawing of the reinforcement fibres; wherein the shaping of the functionalised polymer material is done by co-extruding the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres and the non-functionalised polymer around the functionalised polymer material forming the non-functionalised zone of the sheath surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material.

The drawing of the reinforcement fibres is advantageously done as the sheath is extruded.

Drawings

Other aims, characteristics and advantages will appear upon reading the detailed description which follows in reference to the drawings given illustratively and in a non-limitative manner, among which: - figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a stabilisation strip according to the invention, of which the sheath is fully made of functionalised polymer material; - figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a stabilisation strip according to the invention, of which the sheath comprises a non-functionalised zone surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material; - figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a stabilisation strip according to the invention, of which the sheath is fully made of functionalised polymer material and having notches; - figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a stabilisation strip according to the invention, of which the sheath comprises a non-functionalised zone surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material and having notches; - figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a stabilisation layer comprising a warp in stabilisation strips and a weft in superimposed stabilisation strips; - figure 6 represents a schematic illustration of a stabilisation layer comprising a warp in stabilisation strips and a weft in woven stabilisation strips, this type of configuration corresponds to the definition of a reinforcement geogrid; - figure 7 represents a schematic illustration of a reinforced embankment structure which could be produced with stabilisation strips from one of the figures 1 to 4, alternatively with layers from figure 5 or 6; - figure 8 represents a flow chart having different steps of the method of producing a stabilisation strip according to the present invention; - figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a cut stabilisation strip for measuring the adhesion force between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath.

Detailed description of the invention

In reference to figures 1 to 4, a reinforced stabilisation strip for a reinforced embankment structure according to the invention is defined below.

This stabilisation strip 1 comprises long reinforcement fibres 12 and a longitudinal sheath 11 surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcement fibres 12. The sheath 11 is at least party made of a functionalised polymer material comprising a functionalised polyolefin (Po-f). A polyolefin is a saturated, possibly substituted aliphatic polymer, and comes from the polymerisation of an olefin (also called alkene).

The functionalised polyolefin can be chosen from functionalised polyethylenes, functionalised polypropylenes, or functionalised olefinic copolymers like functionalised ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Preferably, functionalised polyethylenes will be chosen, and in particular, functionalised linear, low-density polyethylene. "Functionalisation" will be understood in the scope of the present description, as meaning a modification of the polyolefin by substituting it with a chemical element comprising a functional group or an unsaturation, or by grafting the chemical element on the polyolefin. The modification of the polyolefin can also lead to the creation of an unsaturation in the polyolefin chain. The functional group is itself capable of reacting with the reinforcement fibre material 12, by creating covalent bonds or hydrogen bonds with it.

In particular, the functional group can be chosen from mono- or di-carboxylic acid anhydrides.

For example, the chemical element substituting a hydrogen atom in the carbonated chain of the polyolefin can be: a maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride or an acrylic acid group; the maleic anhydride group being the most generally used.

It is not necessary to provide for a significant number of functional groups in the Po-f. Indeed, generally, the functionalisation of the Po-f is between 0.01 wt. % and 45 wt. %. Beyond 45 wt. % functionalisation, polyolefin will no longer be spoken of. Advantageously, the functionalisation rate is between 0.01 wt. % and 30 wt. %, preferably between 0.01 wt. % and 15 wt. %, more preferably between 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. %, still preferably between 0.1 wt. % and 2 wt. %.

The functionalisation rate of the Po-f must be like the ratio between the mass of functional groups having reacted with the polyolefin and the total mass of functionalised polyolefin Po-f. It can also be calculated by the increase in mass between the initial non-functionalised polyolefin (Po-nf) and the functionalised polyolefin Po-f. For example, if lOg of maleic anhydride have reacted with a polyolefin and that the total mass of the Po-f is lOOg, then the functionalisation rate of 10 wt. %. The functionalised polymer material can comprise 100 wt. % of Po-f or a mixture of Po-f and of non-functionalised polymer. This non-functionalised polymer is a polymer that is compatible with the functionalised polyolefin, in other words, that their mixture is stable over time and that no phase separation can be observed. They are called totally miscible. The non-functionalised polymer is preferably chosen from non-functionalised polyethylenes (PE-nf), non-functionalised polypropylene (PP-nf), olefinic copolymers like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-nf). The preferred non-functionalised polymer is linear, low-density polyethylene (PEBDL-nf).

Advantageously, the Po-f:non-functionalised polymer mass ratio, is between 1:9 and 10:0. The Po-f mass ratio, preferably PEBDL-f:non-functionalised polymer, preferably PEBDL-nf, can be between 1:4 and 1:1.

The functionalised polymer material 111 can have a functionalisation gradient with a maximum at contact with the reinforcement fibres 12 and which decreased gradually and away from the reinforcement fibres 12. The gradient can be continuous or tiered.

The sheath 11 can additionally comprise a non-functionalised zone 112 surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material 111. Thus, the cost of the sheath 11 can be decreased, as generally, non-functionalised polymer (or Po-nf) is less expensive than Po-f. The polymer of the non-functionalised zone can be the same as that of the mixture leading to the functionalised polymer material or different and chosen from those mentioned above for the mixture.

One or more channels 13 can be formed inside the sheath 11, the reinforcement fibres 12 being drawn inside these channels 13. The increase in the number of channels 13 enables to increase the contact surface between the long reinforcement fibres 12 and the sheath 11, and consequently, the interaction resistance between these two constitutive elements. Preferably, the number of channels is between 5 and 20.

The reinforcement fibres 12 are constituted from any material enabling to reinforce the resistance to traction of the stabilisation strip. They are advantageously made of a material chosen from polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), polyesters, silica glass, linear or aromatic polyamides (again called aramids) and metals, or a mixture of these. If two or more materials are used, the reinforcement fibres in one of the given materials can be grouped together, or the reinforcement fibre composition in each one of the channels 13 differs from one another, but preferably, the reinforcement fibre composition is the same in each one of the channels 23.

Among the fibres mentioned, the PVAL fibres, are favourable. Indeed, contrary to polyesters, glass, linear polyamides, aramids and metals, these materials are not sensitive to the type of fill (and particularly to the pH of the soil entering into the composition of the fill).

The reinforcement fibres 12 are advantageously disposed in the sheath 11 parallel to the length of it, and parallel to one another. They can be raw, in other words, unspun.

The reinforcement fibres 12 can also be present in the form of threads parallel to one another. A "thread" is the result from the spinning of the fibres. In other words, the fibres are all oriented in the same direction and twisted together. A thread composed of fibres is more resistant to traction that all the fibres simply put next to one other, indeed, the spinning reinforces the mechanical properties of the fibres.

The reinforcement fibres 12 can also be present in the form of strands or cords, parallel to one another, as defined in document ΕΡ2Γ71160. Spinning or braiding several threads to one another gives a "strand". Spinning or braiding several strands to one another gives a "cord". Given the fact that the strand and the cord are the result of assembling several threads, the appearance of their surface is not as smooth as that of the fibres or the threads. Consequently, the strand or the cord has a surface elevation, in other words, their surface has troughs and bulges. The functionalised polymer material surrounding or enclosing the reinforcement fibres 12 moulds these troughs and bulges, thus enabling to add a mechanical resistance to the traction further increasing the adhesion force between the reinforcement fibres 12 and the sheath 11.

The reinforcement fibres 12 can also be composed of a mixture comprising at least two elements from raw fibres, threads, strands and cords.

The sheath 11 can comprise at least one high-adhesion longitudinal edge 113, free from reinforcement fibres and having notches 114 (see figures 3 and 4), such as defined in document EP2247797. The notches 114 of this high-adhesion longitudinal edge 113 have the function of rubbing against the fill of the reinforced embankment structure to keep the stabilisation strip 1 in place.

Generally, and as already specified above, the stabilisation strip 1 has a length of around 3m to 10m, although longer or shorter stabilisation strips 1 can also be provided. The width of the stabilisation strip 1 is between 4cm and 6cm. although it is possible to produce wider width strips, going up to 10cm even 25cm. The thickness of the stabilisation strip 1 varies between 1mm and a few centimetres, but preferably between 1mm and 6mm.

The stabilisation strip 1 can have two longitudinal ends attached to one another, thus taking the form of a loop. Such a loop in a stabilisation strip can be used as a connector for connecting the stabilisation strips to the facings of the reinforced embankment structure. Preferably, the perimeter of the loop is between 40cm and 80cm.

Several stabilisation strips 1 can form at least one part of a stabilisation layer 10, advantageously in the form of a geogrid formed by a warp comprising stabilisation strips and a weft also comprising stabilisation strips. The warp and the weft are superimposed (figure 5) or woven (figure 6). In the case of superimposed warp and weft, a part of all of the stabilisation strips lc of the warp is secured to the stabilisation strips It of the weft, crossing them at intersections 101. In the case of woven warp and weft, this partial or total securing of the stabilisation strips lc of the warp to the stabilisation strips It of the weft can be done, but is not compulsory; indeed, the weaving enables the hold the warp with respect to the weft and vice-versa. The stabilisation strips lc of the warp are preferably arranged at 90° from the stabilisation strips It of the weft, crossing these at a right angle. However, the invention is not limited to this orientation and any other orientation relating to the stabilisation strips lc of the warp with respect to the stabilisation strips It of the weft are possible, for example 60° and 45°.

The securing of the stabilisation strips lc of the warp and the stabilisation strips It of the weft can be done by hot welding or adhesive bonding. The welding methods known for polyolefin sheaths are hot-air welding, mirror welding, fusion welding, ultrasonic welding, infrared welding.

The stabilisation strip 1 defined above is used in the construction of reinforced embankment structure 2 (figure 7). Such a reinforced embankment structure 2 comprises, in addition to the stabilisation strips 1, fill 21. The stabilisation strips 1 are disposed horizontally in the fill on one or more levels. In a variant or in addition, these stabilisation strips 1 can form a stabilisation layer 10 disposed horizontally in the fill on one or more levels.

The fill 21 generally comprises a mixture or an assembly which could comprise at least one material from sand, gravel, fine soil, crushed rocks, recycled materials like materials from demolition of buildings or civil engineering structures, industrial residues, binding agents like lime or cement.

Generally, such a reinforced embankment structure 2 also comprises a facing 22 and connectors 23 for connecting at least one part of the stabilisation strips 1 to the facing 22. The facing 22 can be made from prefabricated elements 221 and juxtaposed in concrete, in the form of slabs or blocks. It can also be constituted of welded metal mesh panels or gabions produced with braided metal threads.

The stabilisation strips 1 can be used as such, in other words, that they are individually disposed during the construction of the reinforced embankment structure 2.

When the stabilisation strips 1 are in the form of stabilisation layers 10, all the stabilisation strips 1 are disposed in one operation during the construction of the reinforced embankment structure 2. The advantage is saving time for the placement of the stabilisation strips 1 with respect to the individual placement. Another advantage is the simplification of the placement, as the gap between the stabilisation strips 1 is defined beforehand during the production of the stabilisation layer 10.

The connectors 23 can be stabilisation strips 1, in particular in the form of loops produced by winding and assembling. In this case, the adhesion between the threads and the sheath is essential to ensure to resistance of the loop.

In reference to figure 8, a method for producing a stabilisation strip is defined below.

The method for producing a stabilisation strip such as defined above comprises: - the heating of the functionalised polymer material at least to a temperature for activating the functional group of the Po-f; and - the shaping of the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres in order to form the sheath surrounding or enclosing the reinforcement fibres thus obtaining the stabilisation strip.

The activation temperature is the temperature at which the functional group is activated and depends on the type of chemical element functionalising the polyolefin. For example, the activation temperature for maleic anhydride is 180°C. Thus, advantageously, the polymer material functionalised by the maleic anhydride is heated to around 180°C for a few seconds in an extruder or mixer.

The method advantageously comprises the drawing of reinforcement fibres along a drawing direction. The shaping of the functionalised polymer material is done by extruding the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres in the direction of the drawing direction.

This implementation is advantageously used for a similar sheath, in other words, not comprising non-functionalised zone.

In a variant, the shaping of the functionalised polymer material is done so as to form a functionalised gradient in the polymer material with a maximum at contact with the reinforcement fibres and which decreases gradually and away from the reinforcement fibres.

In addition, the method can comprise the heating of non-functionalised polymer, preferably PE-nf, more preferably still, PEBDL-nf. The shaping of the functionalised polymer material is done by coextruding the functionalised polymer material around the reinforcement fibres and the non-functionalised polymer around the functionalised polymer material to form the non-functionalised zone of the sheath surrounding or enclosing the functionalised polymer material.

The drawing of the reinforcement fibres can be done as the sheath is extruded, enabling time to be saved and space to be saved for producing the stabilisation strip.

Prior to the drawing of the reinforcement fibres, these can have been spun into threads. The threads can have been spun or braided into strands and the strands can have been spun or braided into cords.

Alternatively, the reinforcement fibres are already provided in the form of threads, strands or cords, possibly drawn beforehand. Possibly, the fibres provided in the form of threads or strands can be spun or braided to give respectively strands or cords.

Test - measuring the adhesion force between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath

The test presented below is carried out on stabilisation strips comprising a sheath made of a functionalised polymer material comprising a mixture of PEBDL-nf and PEBDL-f in the proportions presented in table 1. The PEBDL-f has a functionalisation rate estimated at around 1 wt. % with the maleic anhydride elements. An control example is also carried out for comparison. The sheath of this control example comprises 100% PEBDL-nf.

The stabilisation strips 1 comprise a reinforcement made of PVAL in the form of strands present inside the sheath. The reinforcement fibres made of PVAL are distributed in 5 channels 13 inside the sheath 11 and of which the central channel 131 measures 7mm wide and 2mm high. The form and the constitution of the stabilisation strips are identical for all PEBDL-f:PEBDL-nf mass ratios tested and for the control example. A slit En is made on two opposing side edges of the stabilisation strip, only leaving intact the central channel 131. At 10cm from the slit edge, a transverse incision In is made through the central channel 131 over the whole of the width thereof, thus sectioning the strands situated in the central channel 131. Thus, between the slit En and the incision In, the stabilisation strip 1 is left intact over 10cm (see figure 9).

Each stabilisation strip 1 thus prepared is disposed on a uniaxial traction bench. The two ends of the strip are secured to the bench and a traction is applied between the two ends, so as to spread the two ends at a speed of 200mm/min. The force necessary for the spreading at 200mm/min is noted.

Thus, the adhesion force between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath 11 has been able to be measured over a length of 10cm corresponding to a contact surface between the reinforcement fibres and the sheath 11 of 1800mm2. The results are outlined in table 2 below:

lame i

It has thus been observed that with respect to a stabilisation strip of which the sheath is fully made of PEBDL-nf, the increase in adhesion force is already 56% for a sheath of which the functionalised polymer material comprises 25% PEBDL-f. This increase climbs to more than 110% for stabilisation strips with a sheath of which the functionalised polymer material comprises 50%, 75% and 100% PEBDL-f.

Claims

A reinforced stabilizer band (1) for reinforced dam structures comprising long reinforcing fibers (12) and a sheath (11) surrounding or enclosing the long reinforcing fibers (12), the sheath (11) being at least partially of a functionalized polymeric material (111). ) which comprises a functionalized polyolefin.

A stabilizer band (1) according to claim 1, wherein the functionalized polyolefin comprises 0.01% to 45% by weight of functionalizing mass.

A stabilizer band (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the functionalized polymeric material (111) comprises a mixture of non-functionalized polymer and functionalized polyolefin.

A stabilizer band (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mass ratio of functionalized polyolefin: non-functionalized polymer is between 1: 9 and 10: 0.

A stabilizer band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the functionalized polymeric material (111) comprises a functionalization gradient which, upon contact with reinforcing fibers (12), exhibits a maximum and which is diminished by increasing distance from the reinforcing fibers (12). ).

A stabilizer band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the functionalized polyolefin is a polyolefin substituted by a chemical compound comprising a functional group selected from the mono or di-carboxylic anhydrides, or to which the chemical compound is seeded.

A stabilizer band (1) according to claim 6, wherein the chemical compound is a maleic anhydride grouping, phthalate anhydride grouping or an acrylic acid.

A stabilizer band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheath (11) comprises a non-functionalized zone (112) surrounding or enclosing the functionalized polymeric material (111).

A stabilizing band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reinforcing fibers (12) are of a material selected from poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVAL), polyesters, quartz glass, linear or aromatic polyamides and metals.

A stabilizing band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reinforcing fibers (12) are in the form of threads, string or wires; whereby these threads, string or wires are spun or braided.

A stabilizer band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sheath (11) comprises at least a longitudinal edge (113) which is free of reinforcing fibers (12) and provided with notches (114).

A stabilizing mat (10), which is at least partially manufactured with stabilizing tape (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

A stabilization mat (10) according to claim 12, which is made in the form of a geogrite formed of warp and warp yarns, the warp and warp yarn being partially composed of stabilizing tape (1), wherein the warp and warp yarn are woven or superimposed on each other.

A stabilizing mat (10) according to claim 13, wherein the stabilizing bands of the warp and weft yarns are connected to each other by heat welding or bonding at certain junction points.

A reinforced dam structure (2), comprising: a dam (21); and at least one stabilizing band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and / or at least a stabilizing mat (10) according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the at least one stabilizing band (1) and / or at least one stabilizing mat (10) is arranged substantially horizontally at one or more elevation levels in the dam.

A reinforced dam structure (2) according to claim 15, further comprising a cladding (22) and connecting devices (23) for connecting at least a portion of the stabilizer band (1) to the cladding (22).

A method of producing a stabilizing band according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: heating the functionalized polymeric material to at least the activation temperature of the functional group of the functionalized polyolefins; and forming the functionalized polymeric material around the reinforcing fibers to form the sheath surrounding or enclosing the reinforcing fibers, thereby providing the stabilizing band.

The method of claim 17, comprising: drawing reinforcement fibers; molding of the functionalized polymer material is produced by extruding the functionalized polymer material around the reinforcing fibers.

The method of claim 17, wherein: the method further comprises heating non-functionalized polymer and drawing the reinforcing fibers; thereby forming the functionalized polymeric material by co-extruding the functionalized polymeric material around the reinforcing fibers and of non-functionalized polymer around the functionalized polymeric material to form the non-functionalized zone of the sheath surrounding or enclosing the functionalized polymeric material.

The method of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the drawing of the reinforcing fibers is performed as the jacket is extruded.