Evolution of Geocells as Sustainable Support to Transportation Infrastructure

Aarya Krishna and Gali Madhavi Latha ()
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Aarya Krishna: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
Gali Madhavi Latha: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: Geocells, which are polymeric interconnected cells filled with soil, provide excellent support to loads through all-round confinement and a beam effect; hence, they are extensively used in various geotechnical applications such as embankments, foundations, pavements, slopes, railways, and reinforced earth (RE) walls. Although the applications of geocells are studied extensively, their geometric and parametric evolution as a stable support to heavy loads receive less attention. The current versatile configuration of geocells has geometrically evolved after accounting for all the factors that give them optimum reinforcement efficiency. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the geometric evolution of geocells in the context of transportation geotechnical engineering. Effects of shape, size, stiffness, and surface roughness of geocells, and properties of infill and native soils on the performance of geocells are compiled from the literature to get important design insights. The application of geocells in pavements is discussed, concluding that geocells improve the cyclic load carrying capacity and resilient characteristics of pavement, reduce rut depths, and increase traffic benefit ratio (TBR). Hence, geocells can be a sustainable alternative to natural materials in transportation infrastructure, with the added advantages of reduced carbon footprint and maintenance costs.

Keywords: geocells; geometry; reinforcing parameters; pavements; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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