Diverse Applications of Geocells for Highways—Two Case Studies from the North-East

Abstract

Geocells are geosynthetics which are essentially three dimensional and have a rhomboidal cellular profile. Geocells with engineering applications, now made in India, are fabricated from textured HDPE straps which are welded together. For major applications, the geocells are judiciously perforated for drainage/porewater pressure relief and cell-to-cell infill interaction. The geosynthetic is versatile and can be utilised for a variety of geotechnical applications, broadly load bearing and protection against erosion. The profile of geocells for these two broad applications differs; the geocell for load bearing is deeper and has closer weld spacing. This paper highlights application of geocells in roads, specifically rehabilitation of a road, and embankment slope protection, both cases in Assam, Churaibari and Bogibeel. Both these studies relate to corrective measures taken after a series of fiascos, one of these of a major nature. In both cases, geocells were quite rapidly installed. While the solutions were executed on an emergency basis, no further work was required to be done and the solutions proved to be long term. This paper also attempts to highlight that geocells need not be a part of a disaster management system but can and should play a major role as part of the designed system for highways with several inherent advantages.