StrataWeb (Geocell) is a three-dimensional honeycomb-like cellular confinement system, which acts as a foundation reinforcement mat for improvement of load bearing capacities of weak soils and as an erosion control barrier for unstable slope surfaces. Its principle applications are for:
Highlights
3D Structural Matrix
High UV Resistant polymer
Perforated cellular structure
High Resistance to Tensile Stresses, Tearing, Punching and Fatigues
Various Depths & cell sizes available for all range of applications
Benefits
Facilitates the use of locally available infill materials (including inferior/recycled soil). This provides savings in transportation and material costs.
Perforated cell walls improve lateral drainage and provide greater frictional interlock with infill
Prevent erosion while promoting vegetation. Provides strength and aesthetic looks.
Easy to transport owing to its flat and collapsible structure
Fast and easy installation (in almost any weather) resulting in savings in labour costs
Reduced aggregate consumption
Over-all road construction costs are lowered by substantially as compared to existing technology
Considerable time savings in project execution
Lower carbon footprint due to minimal resource requirements; environment friendly solution
Load Support
StrataWeb confines fill material within its strong yet flexible cell structure. This provides a stable base for even load distribution. It ensures that downward forces by vehicles are spread laterally reducing loads on the underlying soils. This confinement action provides an alternative to existing solutions such as reinforced concrete by improving the structural and functional behaviour of soil and aggregate infill materials.
Soil Erosion Control
In addition to load support, StrataWeb also prevents soil erosion. A key feature of StrataWeb over other products is that the cellular wall material is permeable and allows lateral movement of air and water. StrataWeb fascia outer cells can be vegetated to give the wall an environmentally pleasing look and which further reduces soil erosion.
Concept of Reinforcement
StrataWeb cellular confinement reinforcement system works on the following principles:
Vertical loading on the confined infill results in high lateral stresses and resistance on the stiff cell walls, thereby decreasing the punching effect, increasing the bearing capacity and a reduced peak settlement.
Hoop stress resistance generated by the cell walls increases the shear strength of the confined infill, thus creating a stiff mattress and distributing the load over a wider area.
Active earth pressure generated in each individual cell is resisted by an equivalent passive earth pressure generated by the adjoining cells.
StrataWeb geocell walls being textured, it increases the vertical frictional resistance thereby reducing the stress reaching the lower strata.
History and Origin
In the late 1970’s, the US Army Corps of Engineers developed a rapid deployment system to provide heavy military equipment access over soft soils. The result of their research was a plastic honeycomb shaped mattress system called geocell which could be filled with sand or gravel and support heavy loads over soft foundations. StrataWeb is a commercialised version of this geocell system which the US military has been using for almost 30 years. Since those early days, geocells have been utilised in thousands of military and commercial projects throughout the world. The system utilises strips of extruded polymer welded together at intervals which, when expanded, forms a 3D honeycomb mattress. Filled with granular material, the resulting geocell cellular confinement system efficiently transfers compressive and tensile stresses from heavy loads to provide high load support capacity.
Honeycomb Structure: Shape of Strength
One of the strongest structural shapes is the 3D honeycomb configuration. This is demonstrated not only in nature but also in a multitude of man-made objects, including composite structural elements used in aircraft and spacecraft. Now, the honeycomb shape provides 3D soil reinforcement that solves the most difficult civil engineering problems associated with load support over soft soils, erosion on steep slopes and the lining of lagoons, drainage channels and landfills.
StrataWeb provides a wide range of engineering solutions including: slope and soil stabilisation, earth retaining walls, channel lining, load support and porous pavements.
Application Areas
Slope protection i.e. erosion control, slope stabilization, embankment protection, channel linings etc
Load support for paved roads, like National / State Highways, district roads etc
Load support for unpaved roads, like access roads, service & haul roads, green shoulders, footpaths, etc
Load support system for bearing capacity improvement like Reinforced Soil Wall foundations, container yards, terminals, depots, casting yards, parking lots, pipeline support, tank farms, wind farms, electrical towers, sub-stations etc.
Load support for railways for sub-grade improvement & ballast confinement
Earth stabilization and retention
Landfills and reservoirs
