[Paul]

Base doesn't fail as individual stone it fails as a section or area. The grid which has small holes not the large ones that you see for wall construction. It just allows better weight bearing by not stretching like a fabric. Making it a more cohesive unit.

[paponte]

Wouldn't the geotextile also slow down the rate in which water settles into the ground? I would think that would be even worse in freeze/thaw situations.

[Paul]

The amount of water that flows thru vertically a paver area is small compared to the amount that seeps under it from the sides. Think of your excavation as a bath tub. Now think of the bottom of the tub, if you can spread the load evenly over the bottom you'll have less problems. With a clay sub base thats not compacted but still hold lots of moisture, it will have tendencies to move. If you can support the load over it with a geogrid, which helps transfer the load over larger area you'll have LESS problems. NOTICE I didn't say you wouldn't eliminate the problem!

This is why I still think 12" of base is the minimum for a paver drive, and if I had my way I would install 15" to 24" of base material.

[Stonehenge]

Jason - Can you send a sample of the grid you and Paul are talking about over to me? I don't think I've seen that specific grid, but would like to.

[Rex Mann]

Geo-grid under aggregate is generally used to prevent lateral movement of the material. And, it is used with larger stone.

Peace,

Rex

[CountyMaterials]

Jeff -

I don't have the grid that Paul is talking about with the smaller holes, but I do have the fabric underlayment stuff that I was talking about in my first post to Paponte. I can get ya a sample of that.