Interfacial friction properties of geocell reinforced soil

This paper investigates the friction properties of the soil-geocell interfaces through direct shear tests. The geocells were formed using geogrids in the bottom half of the direct shear box having inside clear plan dimensions of 300 mm × 300 mm and depth of top and bottom boxes 110 mm each. Total four types of geogrids were used in different tests. These geocells were filled with granular soil. The upper half of the direct shear box was filled with very soft clay. Some tests were also conducted without the geocells. Results showed that the interfacial friction properties of soil were improved due to the provision of geocells, indicating that the geocells are efficient in preventing possible slip at the interface.