Performance Evaluation of Coir Geocells as Soil Retention System Under Dry and Wet Conditions

Abstract

In the present study, coir is used to fabricate geocells and to construct model retaining walls for application in sloppy regions to retain the soil. The performance of coir geocells under dry and wet conditions during rainfall were evaluated by conducting laboratory model tests. The study presents horizontal and vertical deformation against surcharge load for different scenarios of reinforcement using geocells. A comparison was made between the performance of unreinforced slope, high-density polyethylene geocell retaining wall and coir geocell retaining wall to evaluate the potential of coir geocell over synthetic geocell as reinforcement. The roughness and absence of perforations in coir material resisted the movement and failure of the wall for a longer span. The horizontal displacement was more for coir geocell retaining wall compared to wall made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) geocells. This may be due to the interlocking effect in coir HDPE geocell as perforations provide contact between the sand particles. The inexpensive and easily disposable coir can be effectively used as reinforcement in the construction of a retaining wall.