Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Performance Evaluation of Load Distribution in Multi-layered Geocell System for Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Bangladesh

Indranil Banik, Rehnuma Nurain Nishma, Nusrat Jahan

Abstract


More than 80% of Bangladesh covered by soft alluvial floodplain soils, posing significant challenges to road and embankment stability under heavy traffic and monsoon conditions. This study evaluates the performance of three-layer polyester geocell reinforcement in improving weak sandy-clayey subgrade soil collected from Ghior, Manikganj, Bangladesh. Polyester geocell panels (2mm thickness,400GSM) were installed in three layers with 38mm vertical spacing.

Geocell reinforcement reduced peak settlement by 34-38.5% (average 36.7%) and increased load-bearing capacity by 50-53.33% (average 51.1%) under all loading conditions. It also reduced peak subgrade pressure by 40-60%, indicating improved stress distribution. Boundary effects were also evaluated. The findings demonstrate the multi-layered geocell reinforcement in an effective and economical solution for improving weak subgrade in rural road and embarkment in Bangladesh. 

Full Text:

PDF

References


S. K. Dash, K. Rajagopal, and N. R. Krishnaswamy, “Performance of different geosynthetic reinforcement materials in sand foundations,” Geosynthetics International, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 35–42, 2004. doi: 10.1680/gein.2004.11.1.35. https://www.emerald.com/jgein/article/11/1/35/435449/Performance-of-different-geosynthetic

A. Hegde and T. G. Sitharam, “Behaviour of geocell reinforced soft clay bed subjected to incremental cyclic loading,” Geomechanics and Engineering, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 405–422, 2016, doi: 10.12989/gae.2016.10.4.405. https://www.techno-press.org/content/?page=article&journal=gae&volume=10&num=4&ordernum=2

S. K. Pokharel, J. Han, C. Manandhar, X. Yang, D. Leshchinsky, I. Halahmi, and R. L. Parsons, “Accelerated pavement testing of geocell-reinforced unpaved roads over weak subgrade,” Transportation Research Record, vol. 2204, no. 1, pp. 67–75, 2011, doi: 10.3141/2204-09. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3141/2204-09

S. N. Moghaddas Tafreshi, O. Khalaj, and A. R. Dawson, “Pilot-scale load tests of a combined multilayered geocell and rubber-reinforced foundation,” Geosynthetics International, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 143–161, 2013, doi: 10.1680/gein.13.00008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270427904_Pilot-scale_load_tests_of_a_combined_multilayered_geocell_and_rubber-reinforced_foundation

H. Wang, G. Gao, M. A. Meguid, Y. P. Cheng, and L. Zhang, “Exploring the influence of size-related factors on geocell-reinforced soil response using coupled continuum-discontinum analysis,” Geotextiles and Geomembranes, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 435–450, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2023.12.008. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266114423001139

M. Ghazavi and N. Valinezhad-Torghabeh, “Behavior of geocell reinforced sand supporting footings using response surface method,” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, vol. 42, no. 6, pp. 5283–5299, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s10706-024-02841-1.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381546968_Behaviour_of_Geocell_Reinforced_Sand_Supporting_Footings_Using_Response_Surface_Method

S. Banerjee, B. Manna, and J. T. Shahu, “Impact of various geometrical parameters of geocell on reinforced pavement under cyclic loading conditions,” Japanese Geotechnical Society Special Publication, vol. 10, no. 41, pp. 1543–1548, 2024, doi: 10.3208/jgssp.v10.OS-30-03. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381471687_Impact_of_various_geometrical_parameters_of_geocell_on_reinforced_pavement_under_cyclic_loading_conditions

ASTM International, “Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils,” ASTM D422- 63(2007)e1, 2007, doi: 10.1520/D0422-63R07E01. https://store.astm.org/d0422-63r07e01.html

ASTM International, “Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer,” ASTM D854-10, 2010, doi: 10.1520/D0854-10. https://store.astm.org/d0854-10.html

ASTM International, “Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils,” ASTM D4318-17, 2017, doi: 10.1520/D4318-17. https://store.astm.org/d4318-17.html

ASTM International, “Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using modified effort,” ASTM D1557-12(2021), 2021.

ASTM International, “Standard test method for California bearing ratio (CBR) of laboratory-compacted soils,” ASTM D1883-21, 2021.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.