Geocells for slope protection

Restricting Soil Movement:
The three-dimensional cellular structure of geocells provides lateral confinement to the filled soil and rock materials, placing the soil in a triaxial stress state. This restricts lateral movement and deformation, enhances shear strength, and prevents slope sliding or collapse.

Load Distribution:
Geocells evenly distribute loads acting on the slope, reducing localized stress concentration and improving overall slope stability.

Drainage & Permeability:
Perforated geocells enhance surface drainage, preventing water accumulation that could saturate and weaken the soil, thereby maintaining stability.

Advantages

• Eco-Friendliness: Environmentally sustainable, promotes rapid vegetation recovery when combined with plant-based protection, and enhances ecological aesthetics.

• Durability: Adapts to slope settlement and uneven deformation, withstands high loads, and resists damage.

• Erosion Resistance: Alters surface water flow direction, reduces runoff volume and velocity, and minimizes slope erosion.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Simple installation, fast construction, and low project costs.

Construction Process

1. Preparation & Slope Grading:

• Remove loose soil, weeds, and debris from the slope.

• Trim woody plants manually from top to bottom; no personnel allowed below during clearing.

2. Drainage System Installation:

• Construct interception and drainage systems (or temporary measures) at the slope crest, platforms, and toe as needed.

3. Top Anchoring System:

• Based on slope geology, anchor geocell ends at the crest using anchor trenches, drainage channels, etc.

4. Geocell Deployment:

• Flat-Lay Method: Install top-down along the slope with reinforced crest anchoring.

• Overlap Method: Install bottom-up.

• Stretch tightly to avoid wrinkles, connect with specialized fasteners, secure both sides first, then tension and anchor the remaining sides with nails at specified stress levels.

5. Slope Connection & Fixation:

• After backfilling, promptly reinforce with anchor nails placed beneath geocell weld points.

• Extend nails to 2m for uneven or fractured areas.

6. Soil Improvement (if required):

• Adjust soil properties (e.g., pH balance, organic content) based on site conditions.

7. High-Performance Ecological Spraying:

• Use specialized equipment to spray eco-friendly substrate mixed with seeds and fertilizers. Avoid rainy days.

8. Maintenance:

• Begin watering 1–2 days post-spraying via automated/semi-manual irrigation.

• Keep the slope moist for 1–2 years during the maintenance period.

Geocells exemplify an engineered synergy of stability, ecology, and efficiency—transforming slope reinforcement into a sustainable practice.