Geocell for Roadbed
A geocell is an innovative product that can be used for a number of road construction applications. It is a three-dimensional, cellular confinement system that can be filled with soil, gravel, or other materials to stabilize slopes and prevent erosion.
Without the proper technology in place, unpaved roads built on shaky soil will disintegrate and threaten the safety and longevity of roadways. But geocells offer the stiffness and creep resistance needed to stabilize roads on soft soils.
Improved Stability
As an alternative to traditional concrete and asphalt roads, geocells provide stability for roads in any soil condition. The honeycomb-like network provides a solid platform for load distribution that prevents lateral infill movement and enhances the compaction process. This improves road settling and reduces the risk of failure for unstable soils.
This reinforcing action occurs through interlocking and friction between the cell walls and the infill material. It also depends on the height, overall width, and pocket opening size (d), as well as the embedment depth of the geocells, which in turn is dependent on the soil type, design, and configuration. [1]
Unlike planar geosynthetics, which rely solely on the tensile strength of the material and interface friction to support loads, geocells have additional mechanical resistance due to their cellular structure. Studies have shown that the chevron pattern of geocell walls offers better resistance at larger settlements than a diamond pattern.
Geocells also offer slope stabilization capabilities, especially in environmentally sensitive areas and regions prone to surface runoff. The cellular walls prevent soil displacement, promote vegetation growth, and limit hydrostatic forces that cause erosion and surface runoff. Consequently, they reduce the need for expensive and labor-intensive slope repair and maintenance. In addition, they allow for Geocell for Roadbed natural drainage and water infiltration to avoid ponding. They can be used as a slope stabilization system in conjunction with other slope construction techniques such as soil nailing and rock bolts.
Increased Load-Bearing Capacity
The 3D honeycomb structure of the geocell allows for an even distribution of load across a roadway surface, minimizing vehicle rutting and increasing overall lifespan. The hoop stability and passive earth pressures of the cells also prevent the transfer of vertical forces to adjacent layers, further improving the module strength of the roadbed.
Another significant benefit of using the geocell for roadbed is that it reduces construction time by eliminating the need for compaction. Since the geocells confine the infill material within their cells, it can be easily compacted and shaped into the desired road surface without any additional compaction equipment or labor. The geocells also allow the use of locally available infill materials, which can save on both construction costs and transportation expenses.
The cellular confinement provided by the geocells also mitigates against radial and vertical settlement of the aggregate and soil, making them an ideal option for road construction projects. The resulting high stiffness and strong structural support of the roadbed can increase its lifetime and make it more durable than traditional pavements.
The geocells can be welded together to form any shape needed for a specific project, and they can be used in a wide variety of applications including roads, railways, slopes and walls, mining, coastal, ports, and aviation. They are a cost-effective choice for many construction projects and are easy to install.
More Durable Roads
Whether it’s for mining, forestry, military operations, or construction work, you can count on geocell technology to deliver a diversity of benefits. These geosynthetic cellular confinement systems protect against soil erosion and stabilize sloped surfaces. They are built from lightweight, durable polymeric strips that are bonded together to create a Waterproof Membrane Geosynthetic Clay Liner three-dimensional honeycomb-like structure. These structures can be filled with soils or other materials to bolster the base layers of roads, creating a more stable surface for vehicles and enhancing load-bearing capacity.
Almost four-fifths of the world’s roads are unpaved gravel access roads. These are often built on unstable ground, such as expansive clay, peat bogs, and sand. These materials are likely to crumble without the proper expertise in place, threatening the safety, consistency, and longevity of the roadways. Geocells provide the stiffness and creep resistance needed for road stabilization on soft soil. They prevent shrinking and cracking in clay, mitigate lateral dispersion and strain from sandy soils, and reinforce subgrades in all types of soft soils.
In addition to reducing the need for construction materials, geocells also reduce project costs. By stabilizing the base layer of a road, engineers can construct the road more quickly and spend less time hauling aggregate. Additionally, these cellular confinement systems are compatible with a variety of infill materials, including dirt, gravel, and rock, allowing for more flexibility when choosing construction materials.
Environmentally Friendly
A geocell grid for roadbed is an environmentally friendly way to stabilize soil. It reduces the amount of rock or other hard materials that need to be moved on a construction site, which helps minimize pollution. It also creates a more water-resistant foundation, which is vital in protecting the soil from erosion and helping it stay healthy. Its honeycomb shape also makes it easier to support infiltration and groundwater recharge.
Unlike traditional roadbed solutions, geocells can be made from recycled or reusable material, cutting down on waste. They are also cost-efficient and eco-friendly. In addition, geocells do not require heavy machinery, which can damage the environment. They can be easily cut and adjusted on-site with hand tools.
The perforations in a geocell allow air and water to flow through, which improves load distribution and reduces distortion. The strips that connect the cells are stronger than welded steel and are resistant to shear. Geocells can be used as a replacement for woven fabric and gravelly desert soil as upper roadbed fill for highways in desert regions, which significantly cuts engineering costs.
They can be used to stabilize river embankments as well. Moreover, they are an excellent choice for stabilizing slopes on unpaved roads in sand and peat bog areas. They are also ideal for creating green spaces such as flowers and vegetable gardens on rooftops and office buildings, which is becoming increasingly popular among city dwellers.
