Geocell For Slope Protection

Geocells are revolutionary three-dimensional cellular confinement systems that wall off and retain soil. Their honeycomb structure lessens soil particle lateral mobility and distributes load forces throughout the cell zone.

These features make them great for slope protection and other purposes. They are especially useful in road construction, where they prevent erosion on steep grounds.

Stabilization

Geocells help stabilize slopes by confining soil particles into the cell walls. This reduces strain and deformation of the soil and prevents landslides. They also have high load-bearing capacity, making them a useful tool in constructing infrastructure projects on unstable ground. Additionally, they are easy to install and do not require heavy equipment.

This technique is especially useful for building roads over shaky earth, such as clay, peat bogs, or sand. It can prevent these materials from disintegrating, which could affect the safety and stability of highways. In addition, the cellular confinement system helps protect against soil erosion and increases the lifespan of the road.

Slope stabilization is a crucial step in construction projects that involve land development. In this process, engineers use a number of techniques to prevent soil degradation and landslide damage. One of these methods is using geocells, which are a versatile material that can be used in many applications. They can improve slope stability, support heavy loads on weak subgrade soils, and promote sustainable land management.

To determine the effectiveness of geocells for slope stabilization, researchers conducted physical modeling tests. They compared models reinforced with small and large geocells to control slopes. They observed that the small-geocell-reinforced slope at a smaller inclination had less soil degradation and better stability than the control slopes. This was attributed to the fact that the buried geocells reappeared on the slope surface after the rainfall, showing the amount of soil removed by rainwater.

Reinforcement

Using geocells as soil stabilization tools can prevent soil erosion, protect the ecological environment, reduce engineering risks and maintenance costs, and promote sustainable land management. Their honeycomb structure confines the filling compacted materials and decreases lateral movement, thus increasing resistance to erosive forces. They also reduce the number and depth of landslides on slopes and walls.

Geocells can be filled with earth, concrete, and Slope Protection Geocell Used plants or other landscaping material. Choosing locally obtained earth or plant material has a positive impact on the environment and helps to minimize resource waste. This makes them an environmentally friendly choice for construction of green slopes and retaining walls.

During the test, it was found that the buried geocell sheets in the slopes were less damaged than those exposed to the rainfall. The soil water Composite Drainage Network content remained fixed as the rainfall continued, indicating that the buried geocells were not deformed under the influence of the rainwater (Fig. 2).

The bare slopes, on the other hand, showed considerable damage to their surface soil and large-scale horizontal cracks. They also experienced rill erosion. The rill erosion was caused by the dislodged soil particles carried away by the rainwater, resulting in the formation of small-scale channels on the slope surfaces. The final appearance of the bare slopes after the cessation of the rainfall is shown in Figure 6. The left model was reinforced with small geocell without wheat straw, while the right one was a bare slope.

Vegetation Growth

Geocells are 3-D cellular confinement systems that can be filled with soil, aggregate, or other materials to fix steep slopes and conserve erosion. They are easy to transport and install, making them a convenient option for construction. They are also more environmentally sustainable than traditional methods such as concrete walls, which require considerable quarrying and are often a significant source of pollution.

They can be filled with a variety of backfill material including soil, total, and gravel, depending on the project’s requirements. Once the backfill is placed in the geocell, it should be tamped or compacted to ensure proper stability. Using a hand tamper is recommended, as it can be more effective than a mechanical one. It is important to prepare the site before laying the geocell, such as clearing vegetation, debris, and loose soil. It is also important to measure the dimensions of the slope to ensure the geocell can fit properly.

The scouring of rainwater down an unsupported slope results in deep gullies, causing soil loss and increasing the risk of landslide. A composite soil treatment method with geocell structures and wheat straws was proposed in this study to mitigate the erosion process. The results showed that the geocell structures maintained the integrity of the planting soil, while the wheat straws retarded surface runoff velocity and improved the slope stability.

Environmental Sustainability

Erosion on steep sloped grounds and other surfaces is a serious concern because it damages the environment around them. It also presents danger to people or animals who walk through the area. It is possible to prevent erosion by using a method known as soil stabilization. The most common way to stabilize soil is by using a geocell. A geocell is a three-dimensional cellular system that confines soil or other infill material to protect slopes from landslides and stabilize the surface of the ground.

The structure is composed of long strips of a material like high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, which are welded together to form walls. Its cellular design can be expanded during installation so that it conforms to the surface of the ground to create an even layer of soil. The cells reduce soil movement by confining infill material, and its tensile strength and compression increases provide superior load support.

A study conducted on the effect of geocells and wheat straw reinforcements on soil erosion found that the composite-reinforced slopes had less measured soil erosion than their untreated counterparts. In addition, the water content of the soil in the composite-reinforced slopes increased slower than that of the untreated soil.

Aside from preventing soil erosion, geocells can increase the load-bearing capacity of the ground and help vegetation grow faster. They are easy to install, which allows them to be used on projects that require fast construction. In one project, a crew of only four was able to install 11,000 square meters of geocells in just two days.