Geocells Applications in Enhancing Trafficability in Desert Soils

Abstract

Infrastructure development, which is highly demanding in present scenario, depends on the soil characteristics, a considerable parameter before any type of construction. The challenges for transportation infrastructure in desert terrain are more than budgetary due to the peculiar characteristics of desert soils. The shear strength of sandy soil present in desert terrain is very small; hence, there is a need of ground improvement. Use of geocells is one of the most economical methods of soil improvement that is used to increase strength. The present study describes the influence of geocells on sandy soil based on direct shear tests and plate load test as well as field test results, using various load class vehicles including heavy load military vehicles as actual conditions in desert areas of Rajasthan. The study comes out with the fact that this technique increases the strength and stiffness property of sandy soil considerably and provides solution for preventing settlement and subsidence. It provides all-round confinement to the material and thus prevents the lateral spreading of soil when load is applied. As a result of which higher loading is induced on the failure plane leading to enhanced load-carrying capacity. Ease of construction, overall economy and less time consumption are major advantages of geocells. A cost comparison shows that use of geocell as reinforcement method is nearly 25% cheaper as compared to the conventional methods for track construction in deserts.