--- title: "The Benefits of Using Geocells" date: 2022-06-11 author: "Pawan Khatri" url: https://oceangeosynthetics.com/benefits-of-geocell-for-slope-protection/ --- June 11, 2022 | [Geocell](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/geocell/), [Insights](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/insights/) # The Benefits of Using Geocells ![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/1..jpg) Geocells confine soil or aggregate in a honeycomb of plastic cells. That one idea covers a wide range of site problems: stabilising weak ground, holding topsoil on a slope, lining a drainage channel, or building a load-bearing base for parking areas and sports fields. This post explains how [geocell for slope protection](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/products/geocells/) and load support works, and where it is used. ## Table of Contents ## **Overview about Geocells** A geocell, also called a cellular confinement system, is a three-dimensional honeycomb made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) strips welded together at intervals. It is delivered collapsed, stretched open on site, and filled with soil, sand, gravel or concrete. The open panel follows the shape of the ground, so it can be laid on slopes, in channels and over uneven subgrade. The cells work by confinement. When a load presses down on the infill, the soil tries to spread sideways. The cell walls resist that movement in hoop tension, and friction builds up between the infill and the walls. The confined layer behaves like a stiff slab, or “mattress”, that spreads the load over a wider area of the soil below, so the subgrade sees lower pressure and the surface ruts less. Confinement also holds compaction. Loose granular fill on its own shoves sideways under traffic and loses density; inside a cell it stays packed, so the layer keeps its stiffness for longer. Geocells are used to control erosion, stabilise soil, protect channels, support loads and retain earth. Research into cellular confinement began with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1970s, as a way to build roads quickly over soft and sandy ground. Today geocells are used in road construction, [landfills](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/solution/environment-dewatering-landfills/), mining operations and green infrastructure projects. ## **The Benefits of Geocells** Soft or unstable soil is one of the main threats to the long-term performance of roads, bridge approaches and pathways. A cellular confinement layer can raise the load-bearing capacity of a granular base, allow a thinner aggregate layer for the same performance, and make use of local fill instead of imported stone, all of which affect cost. ## **More benefits of using geocells include:** ### **1. Stabilization of Steep Slope Surfaces by using Geocell for Slope Protection** ![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2...jpg) On a slope, the geocell panel is laid over the face, anchored with pins or stakes, and filled with topsoil or aggregate. Each cell holds its own small pocket of infill, so rain runoff cannot strip a continuous sheet of soil downhill. Vegetated infill adds root reinforcement over time. Geocells protect the surface layer against erosion; deep-seated slope instability still needs its own geotechnical design. ### **2. Protective Linings of Channels & Hydraulic Forms** ![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3.-1.jpg) Geocells are also used to line drainage channels, canals and spillways. Filled with gravel, vegetated soil or concrete, the cells hold the lining material in place against flowing water, so the channel bed and sides erode less and less sediment washes downstream. The choice of infill depends on flow velocity: vegetation for low flows, stone or concrete for faster ones. ### **3. Static & Dynamic Load Support on Low Subgrade Soils** Over weak subgrade, a geocell layer filled with granular material spreads static loads (stored materials, foundations) and dynamic loads (traffic) over a larger area, so the pressure on the soil below drops. Perforated cell walls let water drain between cells and increase friction between infill and wall, which improves confinement. ### **4. Multi-layered earth-retaining and water-retaining gravity structures** Geocell layers can be stacked, each one stepped back slightly from the one below, to build a flexible gravity retaining wall. The filled cells act as heavy, interlocking blocks. The outer cells can be filled with topsoil and planted to give a green face, while inner cells take granular fill. The same stacked form is used for water-retaining bunds and channel walls. ### **5. Durable infrastructure** In road and pavement construction, a geocell-confined base spreads wheel loads and limits rutting and differential settlement, which are common causes of cracking in the surface above. A stiffer base can extend pavement life and reduce repairs. ### **6. Environmentally friendly** Cellular confinement is a practical way to build green slopes and planted retaining walls. Ocean geocells can be filled with topsoil and plants, concrete, or locally available soil or gravel, which cuts the amount of quarried aggregate that has to be trucked in. ## **FAQs** ### **Is Geocell environmentally friendly?** Geocell lets you use local soil or vegetated infill instead of imported stone, which reduces quarrying and transport. HDPE is also a recyclable polymer. ### **How is Geocell installed**? Geocell is typically installed by placing it on the prepared surface, connecting the panels, and filling the cells with soil or aggregate material. ### **Can Geocell be used for slope protection?** Yes, Geocell is commonly used for slope protection as it provides stability and prevents soil erosion on steep slopes. 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