Geocells are an increasingly popular choice for construction projects, as they provide a highly effective solution for reinforcing and stabilizing soil. These three-dimensional structures can be used in a variety of ways, from engineering better roads to adding extra protection to slopes. Learn more about how geocells work and the benefits they offer to construction projects.
What is a Geocell?
A geocell is a three-dimensional cellular confinement system consisting of a geotextile with polymeric or metallic strips fused or stitched together that provides reinforcement for civil construction applications. The geocells are filled with soil, rock, gravel, concrete, sand, and other materials to create a reinforced structure that is strong enough to hold back soil erosion and enhance the performance of fine-grain soils. By controlling soil pressure, geocells also help to protect slopes from failure due to the effects of seismic activity or heavy rainfall.
How Do Geocells Work?
Geocells are a great form of reinforcement for construction projects. The cells' three-dimensional, interconnected structures effectively reduce stress on a site, resulting in increased stability and strength. They keep soils in place, allowing other materials to be placed on top easily and securely. Additionally, they increase the load bearing capacity of the soil by spreading the load over a greater surface area. As such, they can be used to protect slopes from collapse due to seismic activity or environmental conditions.
What Materials are Used for Geocells?
Geocells are made from a variety of materials, including high-density polypropylene, rubberized asphalt, concrete, and steel. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand which one is best for the specific project in order to get the desired results. For instance, rubberized asphalt is highly durable but can be more expensive than other materials. Polypropylene is lightweight and easy to assemble but may not be as strong as other materials depending on the structure of the cell.
Common Uses for Geocells
Geocells are becoming more popular in construction projects due to their ability to reduce construction costs and reduce hazards from liquid or gas escaping the area. Common uses include creating pedestrian paths, preventing snow drift and erosion, providing soil stabilization and increasing driveway durability. Other benefits of geocells include increased load bearing capacity, thermal insulation, flood protection, noise reduction and improved crop yields.
Benefits of Using Geocells in Construction Projects
Geocells are a very effective and efficient construction tool. They are strong, lightweight and rigid, making them ideal for building projects that require strength and stability. Geocells also reduce the amount of energy and resources needed to construct civil infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and utility lines. Additionally, geocells can help solve common problems with water flow or drainage, while providing additional protection from natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
In terms of function, geocells are what’s called a cellular confinement system. This means that the structure holds all the infill materials in place and distributes any weight or pressure from above across the infill and the cell walls. Geocells are three-dimensional cellular structures, which means that the system distributes pressure laterally and vertically across the area.