USING CELLULAR CONFINEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SLOPE STABILIZATION

Geocells were first investigated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Presto Products Company during the late 1970s and early 1980s for access of heavy vehicles over beach and dune areas. Since then, extensive research and development has led to the refinement of the geocell material's specifications and applications to many soil stabilization problems worldwide. In surface stabilization applications, geocells mechanically restrain the near-surface soil of steep slopes that could otherwise slide due to self-weight or applied tractive loads. The system can be used to protect the surface of steep reinforced soil slopes, maintain cover on geomembrane slopes, and reinforce unstable surface soils. Geocells contain, protect, and stabilize a variety of materials providing permanent, flexible surface protection.