Failure mechanisms of geocell walls and junctions

Abstract

Geocell panels are honeycomb-like systems used to provide earth reinforcement. Strips of perforated high-density polyethylene sheets, also known as cell-walls, are welded together at locations known as junctions. The cell-wall and junctions are designed to support and transfer tensile and shear loads and the integrity of these is essential for the appropriate performance of geocells in practice. Nevertheless, there is no standardized test procedure to assess the strength of the cell-wall or junction, and limited research has been undertaken regarding the failure mechanisms of geocell panels when subjected to various loading scenarios. This paper aims to examine the responses of geocell junctions and cell-walls under various loading conditions. An extensive testing program was undertaken to assess the geocell junctions, which included uniaxial tensile, shear, peeling and splitting strength tests. The uniaxial tensile strength, trapezoidal tearing strength, and creep tests were carried out on the geocell walls. A ductility ratio was developed to measure the rapidness of failure under different short-term loading scenarios for both the cell-wall and junction. This paper presents the observed failure patterns and an evaluation of the implications of the practical uses of geocells.