Numerical Analysis on Geocell Retaining Structures

After years of development and advancement, geosynthetics has been extensively used worldwide. For example, it has been applied in ground improvement, reinforced slope, reinforced soil retaining wall, channel protection, and soil and water conservation. Among them all, geocell offers confining pressure to improve the bearing capacity of soft foundation. It also prevents soil erosion and creates better slope appearance. Besides, what makes it distinct from other material are its smaller volume, convenience for storage, simple process of construction, space-saving quality, and safety.
The purpose of this study is to establish a numerical model of geocell retaining structures by using structural cable elements to simplify the simulation of many interfaces among different interfaces. Meanwhile, geocell retaining structure model test are used to compare and discuss how structure height, structure inclination, surcharge loading type, and construction form of geocell retaining structures affect the test results.
The results of analysis show that the structural displacement and backfill settlement increase as structural inclination and surcharge loading rise. The Face-type geocell, wall, produces more horizontal displacement than gravity-type structure. The maximum displacement occurs in at height 0.65 times higher than the height of the wall. Backfill reinforcement can reduce the displacement and settlement effectively. When the upper layers of backfill are reinforced, the wall would protrude and the maximum displacement occurs in at height 0.8 times the height of the wall. When the lower layers of backfill are reinforced, the biggest displacement occurs in the part on the top. Displacements in the rest parts are relatively smaller. As the wall inclination increases, the potential slip surface expands backward and the wall tends to overturn. In addition to that, the slip surface would expand along the line between the reinforced and the un-reinforced zones.