by Geocells are three-dimensional honeycomb mattresses made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. They are formed into a net like structure using thermoforming or injection molding processes. Individual cells are created within a geocell material to provide confinement and reinforce soils. Geocells are commercially available in different cell sizes and thicknesses depending upon the required application.
Advantages of Geocells
Geocells offer numerous advantages over conventional soil construction methods:
Stabilization and Reinforcement
The honeycomb structure of geocells provide lateral confinement to granular materials like soils, sands and aggregates. This confinement prevents soil dispersion under applied loads. Geocells reinforce and distribute stresses more efficiently through confined multilayer construction. As a result, they increase the shear strength and bearing capacity of underlying foundation soils.
Erosion Control
Geocells effectively control and minimize erosion when used as surface reinforcement above sloped grounds or shorelines prone to water wave action. Their structure traps and holds infill soils in place, prevents washouts and provides vegetation establishment for permanent erosion protection.
Slope Protection
Geocell technology provides a cost effective solution for stabilizing slopes prone to sliding, slumps or failures. Multiple layers of Geocells reinforced with infill material stabilize slopes by increasing tensile strength and shear resistance. This improves long term performance of steep slopes, embankments, and retaining walls.
Applications of Geocells
Some common applications where geocells are widely utilized include:
Road Construction
In road subbases, geocells increase load bearing capacity and prevent excessive deformation of underlying weak/poorly draining soils under heavy traffic loads. They improve performance of base courses over problematic soils.
Airport Runways & Taxiways
Geocells are often used in runways, taxiways and aircraft parking aprons construction over soft soils at airports. Their confinement doubles the allowable strength and CBR values of weak subgrade soils.
Reinforced Soil Structures
Constructing retaining walls, reinforced soil slopes, and reinforced embankments using geocells provides significant cost savings over conventional concrete or masonry structure. Geocells effectively distribute loads to reinforced backfill material.
Shoreline & Coastal Protection
For shoreline erosion control, geocells are stacked and filled with lightweight infill to dissipate wave energy. This protects coastal regions, beaches and riverbanks from erosion caused by water wave action and currents.
Environmental Construction
In landfill capping and lining applications, geocells confine clay or synthetic liners to control subsidence and tearing. They are also used to build vegetation pads atop industrial waste sites.
Types of Geocells
Geocells are available in different types depending on the cell configuration and intended application:
Rectangle Cells
Rectangular geocells made of uniform square or rectangular honeycomb pattern are commonly used for foundations, retaining walls, slopes etc. due to their simplicity.
Combination Cells
Combination cells have variable height long columns interconnected with a rectangular top sheet. They improve confinement in layered installation over single type geocells.
Truncated Cells
Truncated geocell structure provides added confinement near the slope face. It evenly distributes stresses and reinforcement in layered installations on steep slopes and embankments.
Heavy Duty Geocells
Made with extra thick polymer sheets, heavy duty geocells withstand high stresses in demanding applications like aircraft runways, port and harbor constructions.
Biplanar Geocells
Biplanar geocells have a unique flat-topped embossed pattern providing increased confinement, tensile strength and bearing capacity compared to regular geocells.
Advantages of biplanar cells include reduced infill material requirement, improved load distribution ability and vegetation growth properties.
How are Geocells Installed?
Proper installation of geocells is essential to achieve their full reinforcing benefits. Typical steps involved are:
- Grading and leveling of subsoil for a smooth working surface. Compaction if required.
- Unrolling geocells sheets over leveled surface and pinning edges with poly pins or stakes to prevent movement.
- Filling infill material (soil, aggregate etc.) scooped from bottom of cells using shovel.
- Level compacted using plate compactor in maximum 150mm lifts.
- Continuing filling and leveling till desired height/number of layers.
- Optional topsoil and vegetation can be added for slope protection applications.
- Installation of final protective layer like turf mats, geosynthetics etc. if specified.
Geocells have revolutionized traditional earthen construction techniques by providing three dimensional soil reinforcement. Their applications are increasing continuously in transportation, geotechnical, hydraulic, coastal and environmental engineering projects worldwide. Advent of new cell configurations is further enhancing geocell performance. When designed and installed properly, geocells prove to be a economical and effective soil bioengineering solution.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
