application of geocell in geotechnical engineering

1. Department Of Civil Engineering
Seminar On
“ApplicAtions of geocell in
geotechnicAl engg”
Presented By:
Guided By:

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Applications of Geocell
 Advantages & Disadvantages
of Geocell
 Case Study
 Conclusions
 References

3. Geocells are three-dimensional
honeycombed
cellular
structures
that
form
a
confinement
system
when
infilled with compacted soil.
Extruded
from
polymeric
materials into strips welded
together
ultrasonically
in
series, the strips are expanded
to form the stiff (and typically
textured
and
perforated)
walls of a flexible 3D cellular
mattress as shown in Fig.
Geocell come under types of
Fig.Geocell

4. Following are some of the applications of geocell:
 Erosion Control using
Geocell
 Ground Stabilization using
Geocell
 Retaining Walls using
Geocell
 Slope & Channel

5. Erosion Control:
Soil particles are susceptible to being detached and carried away with
concentrated runoff streams, forming rills and gullies that grow with
time.
As in Fig. Geocell effectively holds slope cover materials in place, thus
reducing the potential for erosion. Cell walls check the runoff streams
associated with rainfall, keeping the overall system intact.
Fig. Erosion Control by using Geocell

6. Ground Stabilization:
Geocell serves as load spreader when loads are imposed upon the system.
Furthermore, in many instances it is possible to use locally available
inexpensive aggregates in multitude stabilization projects such as:
Roads, Accesss lanes, Runways, Parking lots,Railroad, track bedding, Bedding
for sewer and water pipes.Generally, in stabilization end-use, the aggregate
layer spreads the load imposed upon it, thus reducing the pressure exerted on
the subgrade below a critical value as seen in Fig.
Fig. Ground Stabilization

7. Retaining Walls:
In order to stabilize very steep slopes, retaining walls are constructed. Geocell
serves as both the facia and the reinforcing element. The cells not only hold
the soil in place, they also provide drainage throughout the structure. An
additional benefit is that the outer cells can be vegetated shown in Fig. Thus
giving the wall a pleasing and environmentally compatible look. The size of
the expanded Geocell panels increases the effective thickness of the retaining
wall.
Fig. Retaining wall using Geocell

8. Slope & Channel Protection:
The three-dimensional lateral confinement of Geocell along with anchoring
techniques ensures the long-term stability of slopes using vegetated
topsoil, aggregate or concrete surfacing . The enhanced drainage, frictional
forces and cell-soil-plant interaction of Geocell prevents downslope
movement and limits the impact of raindrops, channeling and hydraulic
shear stresses. Typical applications include: construction cut and fill slopes
and stabilization; road and rail embankments; pipeline stabilization and
storage facility berms; channel and coastline structures and this could be
seen in Fig.
Fig. Slope Protection

9. Reservoirs & Landfills:
Geocell provides membrane liner protection, while creating stable soil, berms
and slopes, for non-slip protection and durable impoundment of liquids and
waste. Concrete work is efficient and controlled as Geocell functions as
ready-made forms; Geocell with concrete forms a flexible slab that
accommodates minor subgrade movement and prevents cracking. In medium
and low flow-velocities.
Fig. Reservoir using Geocell

10.  Improving Bearing Capacity:
Following table shows the improved results of bearing capacity using geocell:
Items
Virgin Soil
Soil reinforced
with single layer
of Geocell
Soil reinforced
with double layer
of Geocell
Bearing Capacity
104 KN/m2
193.75 KN/m2
759 KN/m2
Foundation Size
4200 mm x 4200
mm (RCC isolated
footing)
3000 mm x 3000
mm (RCC isolated
footing)
1500 mm x 1500
mm (RCC isolated
footing)
Concrete Volume
5.36 m3
2.99 m3
1.04 m3
Steel
542 Kg
304 Kg
66 Kg
Geocell Cost
-
Rs. 17,820/-
Rs. 9,460/-
Total Cost
Rs. 55,616/-
Rs. 48,916/-
Rs. 18,568/-

11.  Advantages
• Available in a variety of cell sizes, depths, section lengths and
facia colours to meet project needs.
• Provides durable protection to impervious liners.
• Allows significant sub grade deformation without loss of
structural integrity.
• Easy to transport and install.
• High resistance to tensile stresses, tearing, punching, fatigues.
• Environmental friendly material.
• Lightweight, Low Cost, High Durability.
• It is very economical in use compare to other products.
• They increase the reliability of structure, life of structure.

12. Disadvantages
• Long-term performance of the particular formulated resin being
used to make the geocell must be assured by using proper
additives including antioxidants, ultraviolet screeners, and fillers.
• Handling, storage, and installation must be assured by careful
quality control and quality assurance.

13. Case Study: Location “Guwahati,Assam”
Project Brief:
A road was to be build for the access of waste field site. The ground water table was
upto ground level which resulted in weak roads and a problem to the heavy vehicles.
Challenge:
Fig. Waste field site
The surrounding water was hampering the movement of the garbage dumping
trucks. The garbage trucks were increasingly dumping garbage much before the
demarcated area, thus triggering a total mismanagement of the landfill and
creating financial losses for the project.
Fig. Heavy truck dumping garbage

14. Solution:
Geocell was preferred as a solution for this project. Geocell System provided a
permanent flexible form acting as a series of expansion joints adjusting to the
shape and grade of the soil. Geocell installation was complete in 3 days
time, whereas the total road was completed in less than 40 days.
Fig. Laying Geocell

15. Conclusio
ns
Geocell have great potential to be used as cost-effective solutions for
several engineering problems.
New construction methodologies have also broaden the applications of
geocell reinforced soil retaining wall, which include new facing units and
that reduces the construction time, costs and allow better aesthetic
conditions for the final structure.
Geocell has been used in a number of applications in environmental
project.

16. References
• Agostini, R., Cesario, L., Conte, A., Masetti, M., and Papetti, A.: Flexible
gabion
structures
in
earth
retaining
works,
Tech.
rep., Maccaferri, Bologna Italy, 1987.
• Bathurst, R. and Rajagopal, K.: Large-scale triaxial compression testing
of geocell-reinforced granular soils, Geotech. Test. J., 16, 296–303, 1993.
• Burroughs, D., Henson, H. H., and Jiang, S. S.: Full scale geotextile rock
barrier wall testing, analysis and prediction, in: Geocell’
• Chen, R. and Chiu, Y.: Model tests of geocell
structures, Geotext. Geomembranes, 26, 56–70, 2008.
retaining
• Dash, S. K., Rajagopal, K., and Krishnaswamy, N.: Behaviour of geo-cellreinforced sand beds under strip loading, Can. Geotech. J., 44, 905–
916, 2007.