Use of Waste Plastic Bottle as a Geocell for Ground Improvement: A Review

This study reviews the use of waste plastic bottles as a geocell for ground improvement. Characterization and properties of waste plastic bottle geocell (WPBG) for effective utilization for ground improvement have been discussed briefly. The effective aspect ratio of WPBG, the influence of infill material, has been well explained in this study. This paper reviews small-scale laboratory tests and numerical analysis of geocell mattresses made of plastic bottles carried out by many researchers. This review indicated that the inclusion of geocell mattresses made of plastic can produce a sevenfold enhance in the footing pressure; the 12-fold improvement was observed in the footing capacity while encased fly ash column geocell mattress composite system was introduced within the clay. It also indicated by numerical analysis that the cellular reinforced fly ash slopes that have higher ratios of (Lr/H) have an increment in load-carrying capacity because of the enhanced stiffness where cellular reinforcement material is made up of post-consumer waste plastic water bottles. However, the results encourage the utilization of waste plastic bottles for ground improvement, which successively may solve the disposal issue of plastic waste to a particular extent.