Geocell is a three-dimensional honeycomb structure made of polymer materials, which is used to reinforce roads, dams, slopes, rivers and other foundation projects. It can effectively enhance the bearing capacity of the foundation, reduce the lateral displacement of the soil and improve the stability of the foundation.
Characteristics of geocells
Lightweight and high strength: Geocells are made of polymer materials such as HDPE and PP, and are lightweight, high-strength and corrosion-resistant.
Foldability: Small size when not unfolded, easy to transport and store; when unfolded, it can form a solid honeycomb structure.
Versatility: Applicable to a variety of soil conditions, including sand, silt and expansive soil.
Convenient construction: Easy to install, suitable for fast construction.
Preparation work before construction
Material preparation:
Select the appropriate geocell type and specifications according to the design requirements.
Ensure that the quality of the geocell meets the national standards and has no obvious damage or cracks.
Construction equipment:
xcavator, grader, roller.
Auxiliary tools: hammer, nails, stretching tools, fixed piles, etc.
Site survey:Determine the geological conditions and soil type of the construction area.
Clean up the construction site and remove obstacles.
Base treatment:Level the base to ensure that the base flatness is within ±3cm.
Treat the weak foundation according to the design requirements, such as replacement and rolling.
- Laying and fixing of geocells
Laying method:
Unfold the geocell in the construction area and stretch it to the designed size.
Ensure that the honeycomb unit is fully opened without twisting or deformation.
Fixing method:
Use U-shaped nails, wooden stakes or steel chisels to fix the edge of the geocell to the base.
The nail spacing is based on the design requirements, generally 1-2m, depending on soil conditions and construction requirements.
In slope construction, the edge of the cell can be anchored to the top or foot of the slope.
Joint treatment:
Adjacent cells need to overlap, and the overlap width is usually 10-20cm.
Use nylon ropes, drawstrings or special connectors to firmly connect the cell units.
Precautions during construction
Weather conditions: Avoid construction on rainy days to prevent the base from being soaked and the filling materials from getting damp.
Base drainage: Drainage facilities should be set up in low-lying areas or areas with poor drainage conditions to prevent water accumulation.
Cell protection: Prevent construction machinery from directly rolling or scratching the geocell.
Construction safety: When constructing on slopes or rivers, attention should be paid to the safety of construction personnel and equipment.
Selection and filling method of filling materials
Filling materials:
Common materials include gravel, crushed stone, concrete, planting soil, etc.
The material must meet the design requirements, with a moderate particle size, and avoid using too fine or too large particles.
Filling process:
Fill one cell at a time in order to ensure uniform filling.
Use small machinery or manual labor to spread the filling material into the geocell.
Avoid mechanical direct rolling of unfilled cells to avoid damage.
Layered rolling:
The filling material is compacted in layers, and the thickness of each layer is controlled at 20-30cm.
The compaction density should meet the design requirements to avoid excessive compaction causing cell deformation.
Road reinforcement:
Geocells are laid on soft foundations to effectively disperse the load and improve the bearing capacity of the foundation.
Construction case: A highway soft foundation treatment project, through geocell reinforcement, reduced the road settlement rate.
Slope protection:
The geocell is laid on the slope and filled with planting soil or concrete to effectively prevent soil loss.
Construction case: The slope of a mountain highway is greened with geocells to enhance the ecological function.
River management:
Geocells are laid on the river bank and filled with gravel or concrete to enhance the anti-scouring ability.
Construction case: A river bank protection project was constructed with geocells, which significantly improved the stability of the bank.
