Geocells are versatile panels made from materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyester. When installed, these panels expand and form flexible, three-dimensional walls. They create a drainage system that holds filling materials like sand or stone, enhancing the soil’s behavior.
Presto Geosystems pioneered Geocell technology in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These cells, typically made of ultrasonically welded HDPE strips, form a honeycomb structure filled with materials like sand and stone.
Geocells, a type of geosynthetic, stabilize soil. They find application in controlling erosion, stabilizing soil, protecting channels, and reinforcing structures for load support and earth retention.
Geocells are categorized into two main types:
Perforated Geocell : This type has uniform holes that enhance stress distribution and reduce deformation. The integrity relies on the strength of the perforated strip and weld.
Non-Perforated Geocell : These have thick, smooth walls and are usually a polymer sheet with a three-dimensional mesh structure.
Unpaved roads often face challenges due to unstable soils. Geocells provide the necessary stiffness and resistance to reinforce soft soils. They prevent clay from shrinking or cracking, aid in lateral dispersion and filtration of sandy soils, and strengthen subsoils in softer ground.
Maintenance with cellular restraint systems ensures road stability, preventing damage, cracking, washouts, and settling of surfaces.
Geocells have a wide range of applications in engineering:
Geocells offer several benefits:
While geocells offer numerous advantages, there are some considerations:
Geocells represent a cost-effective solution for various technical challenges. They find extended application in soil retaining walls, reducing construction time and costs while enhancing aesthetic appeal. Widely used in environmental projects, geocells continue to be a valuable tool in modern construction methods.
