Geocells are three-dimensional geosynthetic engineered materials made from high-density polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester. They are used in civil engineering applications to reinforce soils and allow vegetation to establish, helping to prevent erosion. They come in prefabricated honeycomb-like panels or rolls that expand when filled with soil.

Types

There are different types designed for various applications:

Permanent Geocells — Made from durable synthetic materials like polypropylene, these are designed to remain in place permanently. They provide long-term slope protection and soil reinforcement benefits. They find use in applications like retaining walls, slope reinforcement, shoreline protection, and canal linings.

Degradable/Biodegradable Geocells — Made from materials like coir, jute, or blended polymers, they provide initial protection and allow vegetation to establish before degrading. As plants develop root networks, they degrade and disappear. They are suited for applications where a permanent structure is not needed long-term.

Unfilled Geocells — These have an open-mesh, honeycomb structure that allows for placement of infill soil and establishment of deep-rooted vegetation inside each cell. The infill soil holds the slope or embankment in place while plant roots develop strength over time.

Prefilled Geocells — They come with infill soil already in place within the structured cells. They require less installation work but offer less flexibility in cell filling compared to unfilled.

Applications

The main applications where they are used include:

Slope Reinforcement — Geocells work well to reinforce soil on steep slopes prone to erosion. By containing and reinforcing infill soils, they stabilize slope faces and allow for vegetation growth.

Retaining Walls — As a living retaining wall system, they hold back infill soils while plant roots develop strength. Combined with proper drainage, they serve as permeable, ecologically-friendly retaining structures.

Shoreline Protection — Along shorelines, they filled with soil or gravel form erosion control mats to protect coastal landscapes from wave action. Vegetation further stabilizes the protected areas.

Drainage Applications — They aid drainage by providing structure to aggregate infill for applications like french drains, terracing, swales, and canal lining. The honeycomb structure prevents washouts.

Erosion Control Blankets -They filled with infill soil or hydraulically applied seeds, mulches, and tackifiers create blankets that stabilize slopes, channels, and other disturbed soils against erosion.

Roadway Applications — In road construction, geocells reinforce embankments and subgrades. They control erosion, allow compaction, and structurally enhance pavement support.

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