Madhavalatha et.al 2010 observed that in case of soft sub grade and unpaved roads gecells perform better than geogrid. In the case of moderate/firm sub grades and paved roads which pavement reinforcement solution is better geogrid or geocell?
Geogrids and geocells are not alternatives to each other in all situations. The choice of the reinforcement depends on the subgrade modulus as well as the design traffic (msa). Geogrids are cheaper than geocells and easy to lay, but if the required improvement in strength and modulus is very high, you need multiple layers of geogrids placed at regular intervals over considerable depth below the pavement, whereas a layer of geocells filled with aggregate works out to be economical. Geocells are the speedy solution over emergencies, whereas geogrids though simple and easy to install, are not applicable over softer subgrades. Moreover, geocells provide higher lateral confinement and beam effect, thus reducing the thickness of pavement significantly. For many geotechnical problems, savings in time and assured performance of the solution play vital role than economical aspects.
Why cant you use some natural fiber like coir for reinforcing soil. Either randomly distributed or weaved one. Hope this may give a better result
Geogrids, with some cautions:
- use high module-low thickness materials, i.e. PET, glass or carbon fibres;
- don’t install at depth lower than 0.07 m from surface;
- check the planarity of grids (attention in curves) and ensure adhesion between asphalt layers.
In the attached paper you can find something about this topic.
It depends on the subgrade you have. The price of geogrid depends on the tension strength you designed for. As far as I know, the geogrid is cheaper than geocell. The geocell will be used in both paved road and unpaved road. It can be used as the slope protection from erosion caused by surface runoff.
If you are ready to compromise the performance with the cost, you can go for geogrids.
Else geocell is better. Thanks.
Geogrids and geocells are not alternatives to each other in all situations. The choice of the reinforcement depends on the subgrade modulus as well as the design traffic (msa). Geogrids are cheaper than geocells and easy to lay, but if the required improvement in strength and modulus is very high, you need multiple layers of geogrids placed at regular intervals over considerable depth below the pavement, whereas a layer of geocells filled with aggregate works out to be economical. Geocells are the speedy solution over emergencies, whereas geogrids though simple and easy to install, are not applicable over softer subgrades. Moreover, geocells provide higher lateral confinement and beam effect, thus reducing the thickness of pavement significantly. For many geotechnical problems, savings in time and assured performance of the solution play vital role than economical aspects.
From economic point of view, it is better to use HDPE as strip or sheet which will act as geogrid or sheet as the case may be.If required it can be applied in layers also depending on soil type
If your question referes to asphalt layers then geocells are not applicable due to their thickness and lack of stifness. Geogrids are having much wider use within pavement but not all of them are supportive to pavement thickness reduction.
If your question refers to unpaved roads or base/subbase of road then stiff monolithic geogrids (punched and drawn types) are most effective thanks to mechanizsm of stabilisation of unbound aggregate. This mechanism was identified as key to extend life of pavement. As example Corps of Enginners (US) or Transport Research Laboaratory (UK) did several researches on influence of geogrids on pavemeny live increase.
Geocells are mor difficult to install and more expensive hovewer if properly installed they provide some lateral confinement reduction.\
Flexible geogrids (in past called geonets) like woven are not suuportive to pavements at strain level gegerated within pavement. Thy can help keep heavily deformed road in service for some time due to tensioned membrane effect but can't extend like of pavement until large deformation (cca 10 cm) occurs.
J. P. Giroud a nd J. Han has published several papers on this subject - for latest reference please read GeosyntheticsMagazine.com Volume 34 Number 1, 2 and 3.
- Badges
- Science topic