The use of geocell as soil stabilization and soil erosion countermeasures

Abstract

This work proposed a composite soil reinforcement method to support the vegetation growth and improve slope stability using geocell structures and wheat straws. Twelve physical models were developed for assessing rainfall intensities, slope steepness and geocell sizes on the soil erosion. The results showed that: (1) the geocell reinforced slopes maintained a good integrity, but the bare slope showed horizontal cracks; (2) the soil erosion was less than 40 g and more than 4000 g under the 50 mm/h and 100 mm/h rainfall intensities; the largest slope displacement was 2.5 mm and 7.5 mm, respectively; (3) the steep slopes showed a largest soil erosion of 5000 g and largest displacement of 8 cm, compared to 4500 g and 5.5 cm for gentle slopes; soil water contents were 40% and 30% for the steep and gentle slopes; (4) the measured soil erosion under the 100 mm/h rainfall was 4000 g and 5000 g for the small and large geocell reinforced slopes; the displacement of small geocell reinforced slopes were typically 1–2.5 cm smaller than large geocell reinforced slopes. It is concluded that the small geocell reinforced slope at a small inclination and low rainfall intensity has the best stability.