CHAPTER 9

GEOCOMPOSITE, GEOFOAM, GEOCELL/GEOWEB

Geocomposites are multi-layered combinations of geosynthetics. These combinations

provide benefits over individual layers by enhancing functions, increasing interface
friction angles and increasing the speed of installation. With careful design they can
provide drainage, protection, reinforcement, and filtration and barrier functions and
replace expensive and scarce mineral resources.

TYPES OF GEOMEMBRANE

1, Geotextile - Geonet Composites- Placed horizontally, they make excellent drains to

upwardly moving water in a capillary zone where frost heave or salt migration is a
problem. When the water enters the sandwich it travels horizontally within the geonet and
away from where damage can occur. Such geocomposites have also been used in
intercepting and conveying of leachate in landfills and for conducting vapour or water
beneath pond liners of various types.

2. Geotextile - Geomembrane Composites

In the reinforcement area, the geotextiles provides increased resistance to puncture, tear
propagation, and friction related to sliding, as well as providing tensile strength in and of
themselves. The geotextiles are of the nonwoven, needle-punched variety and are of
relatively heavy weight. In such cases they act as drainage media, since their in-plane
transmissivity feature can conduct water or leachate away from direct contact with the
geomembrane.

3. Geomembrane - Geogrid Composites

Since some types of gemembrances and geogrids can be made from the same material
(e.g., high-density polyethylene), they can be joined together (actually welded) to form an
impervious barrier with enhanced strength and friction capabilities.
4. Geotextile - Geogrid Composites
Those geotextiles with low modulus, low strength and / or high elongation at failure can
be greatly improved by forming a composite material with a geogrid, or even with a
woven fabric scrim.

Major Applications of Geocomposite

1.Geomembrane Protection

2.Gas Venting

3.Drainage
Geocomposite test

Reference Test Property Description of Test

Number

ASTM D1777 Thickness Specimen is placed on the base of a

thickness gage and a weighted presser foot
is lowered. The displacement between the
base and the presser foot is measured as
the thickness of the specimen.
ASTM D5321 Interface shear, cohesion, Shear resistance between a geosynthetic
friction angle and a soil, or a geosynthetic and another
geosynthetic is measured. The
geosynthetic and other material is placed
within a large-scale direct shear box with
an applied normal load on top. The normal
loads used (typically at least three)
normally represent design conditions. A
shear force is applied to the apparatus such
that one section of the box is moved in
relation to the other. The shear force is
recorded with respect to displacement. The
peak and post-peak shear stresses are
plotted against the applied normal stresses.
The test data are presented by a best fit
straight line whose slope is the coefficient
of friction between the two materials
where the shearing occurred. The y-
intercept of the straight line is the
adhesion.
ASTM D5567 Hydraulic conductivity This test method presents a procedure for
ratio performing permeability tests of
soil/geotextile systems. The technique
requires placement of the soil and
geotextile in a flexible-wall permeameter.
The soil/geotextile specimen is saturated
using de-aired water and back pressure
techniques. The specimen is consolidated
at the effective stress anticipated in the
proposed application. The sample is then
permeated with water. The hydraulic
conductivity of the soil/geotextile
specimen is measured and plotted as a
function of elapsed time and volume of
water passing through the sample. The
hydraulic conductivity may either increase
or decrease during the test, depending on
the behaviour of the geotextile filter. The
 test is terminated when a stabilized
hydraulic conductivity decreases below the
minimum value allowed by the drainage
design.
ASTM D413 Ply adhesion, peel Specimens are clamped in tensile test
strength, bond strength machine and pulled to at least 4 inches of
separation. Force is recorded during test
and averaged for result of adhesion.
ASTM D4716 Transmissivity, flow rate The flow rate per unit width is determined
by measuring the quantity of water that
passes through a test specimen in a
specific hydraulic gradient. The hydraulic
gradient(s) and specimen contact surfaces
are selected by the user either as an index
test or as a performance test to model a
given set of field parameters as closely as
possible. Measurements may be repeated
under increasing normal stresses selected
by the user. Hydraulic transmissivity
should be determined only for tests or for
specific regions of tests that exhibit a
linear flow rate per unit width versus
gradient relationship, that is, laminar flow.
ASTM D1505 Density Density is determined based on observing
the level to which a test specimen sinks in
a liquid column exhibiting a density
gradient, in comparison with standards of
a known density.

ASTM D1603 Percent carbon black Plastic material is weighed and placed in a
content Nitrogen purged tube furnace for 15
minutes. Change in weight is calculated as
% Carbon black.

ASTM D1621 Compressive strength A sample of geonet is placed in a

compression device and loaded until peak
strength is recorded.
Geofoam -is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). It has been used in civil engineering as a
light weight fill under a road sub-grade, built over a low load bearing soil.

Application of geofoam:

1. Road construction over poor soils – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used to
replace compressible soils or in place of heavy fill materials to prevent unacceptable loading on
underlying soils and adjacent structures.

2. Road widening – eliminates the need for compaction and fill testing, reduces the construction
time and minimizes impact to the existing roadway and adjacent structures and/or buried utilities.
3. Bridge abutment – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam imparts significantly reduced
lateral forces on abutment walls, foundations and other retaining structures, because the
transmitted lateral force is proportional to the weight of the backfill.

4. Bridge underfill – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam’s light weight adds little additional
load to the underlying ground. EPS geofoam infill can help support the span and transfer the
traffic load safely to the foundation or underlying soil.

5. Culverts, pipelines & buried structures – for the placement of new fill over existing
underground structures that were not designed to support the increased loads. Rather than
removing or strengthening the existing underground structures, the new fill load can be reduced
to a tolerable level by using EPS geofoam instead of heavier traditional fills.
6. Compensating foundation– Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used as a
compensating foundation to reduce the load on underlying compressible soils and minimize
building settlement along with potential bearing capacity problems.

7. Rail embankment– Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used to construct railway
embankments that do not overload the existing soils. As a fill material, EPS geofoam is strong
enough to support railway loads.

8. Landscaping & vegetative green roofs– Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used
to create topography without adding significant load to underlying structures and services.
9. Retaining & buried wall backfill – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used as
backfill behind retaining and buried structures to greatly reduce lateral pressures on the structure.

10. Slope stabilization – Unstable slopes can be remediated by removing a portion of the
existing soil and replacing it with lightweight EPS geofoam, thus unloading the head or top of
the landslide and improving its stability.

11. Stadium & theater seating – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used to form
tiered seating in locations such as auditoriums, movie theaters, gymnasiums and churches.
12. Levees – are frequently built on compressible alluvial soils along rivers because of river
depositional patterns.

13. Airport runway/taxiway – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam can be used under airport
runways to replace unsuitable soils without overloading the underlying subgrade materials.

14. Foundations for lightweight structures –An innovative use of EPS geofoam are to replace
traditional agricultural pile footings on peat soils.
15. Special applications

a. Noise and vibration damping –EPS geofoam can be used to build free-standing walls or
embankments to reduce noise from highways.

b. Compressible application–EPS geofoam is available in a wide range of compressive

resistances.

c. Seismic application–EPS has two primary advantages that make it attractive for seismic
design: its light weight and its compressibility.

d. Permafrost embankments–Roadways constructed over permafrost are susceptible to

thaw settlement, which results in high maintenance costs and poor ride quality.

e. Rockfall/impact protection –Development in mountainous regions sometimes occurs

where there is a high probability of rock fall.

Geofoam Test

Reference number Test Property Description of Test

ASTM C165 compressive strength Specimens are prepared to the

required dimensions using a hot wire
saw (4" x 4" x 1" thick). The blocks
are dimensioned then placed into a
load frame and compressed at a rate
of approximately 0.05 inches per
minute for each inch of thickness.
ASTM C203 Breaking load Four specimens are cut from a larger
block sample with a hot wire saw. A
bar of rectangular cross section is
tested in flexure via one of the two
methods: Test Method I—The bar
rests on two supports and is loaded
by means of a loading fitting or piece
midway between the supports. Test
Method II—The bar rests on two
supports and is loaded at the two
quarter points (by means of two
loading fittings), each an equal
distance from the adjacent support
point. The distance between the
loading fittings is one half of the
support span.
ASTM C303 Dimensions and Three specimens are cut from a
density larger block sample with a hot wire
saw. Specimens are weighed, and
then dimensioned with calipers.
Density is calculated from these
values.
ASTM D1621 compressive strength Specimens are prepared to the
required dimensions using a hot wire
saw (4" x 4" x 1" thick). The blocks
are dimensioned then placed into a
load frame and compressed at a rate
of approximately 0.05 inches per
minute for each inch of thickness.
ASTM D1622 Dimensions and Three specimens are cut from a
density larger block sample with a hot wire
saw. Specimens are weighed, and
then dimensioned with calipers.
Density is calculated from these
values.
StrataWeb (Geocell

- It can be used as a foundation reinforcement mat for improvement of load bearing

capacities of weak soils and as an erosion control barrier for slope surfaces.

- The Geoweb system consists of a robust three-dimensional structure housing a network

of interconnected cells that confine and compact soil. The confinement action prevents
erosion and improves the structural performance of the soil or aggregate infill providing
an alternative to reinforced concrete or armour.
Manufacturing of geoweb

Strata Web manufacturing involves extruding the base polymer using laser controlled
processes to ensure accuracy throughout the batch. After, extrusion the sheets are
perforated through a high power punching machine and then finally the joints are welded
using advanced ultrasonic welding machines which provides the highest weld strength
possible.

Applications of Geoweb

1. Erosion Control - The confinement action of StrataWeb reduces erosion on slopes arising due
to rains, wind and other factors. StrataWeb protection system can be engineered to suit slope
conditions, from very steep 60 degree slopes to very gradual 27 degrees slopes, and provide a
cost effective solution. After the slope is dressed and compacted StrataWeb can be expanded and
installed rapidly using Strata connectors and anchor systems.

2. Slope liner Protection - is used on the slope which cannot be damaged or punctured,
StrataWeb liner protection system is the perfect solution. Strata Web can be laid on the liner
without any requirement for puncturing the liner and is anchored at the crest of the slope. The
crest anchorage is engineered to withstand all the sliding forces arising in Strata Web.
3. Load Support- Due to the confinement effect and honeycomb structure, StrataWeb spreads
the loads forming on top over a larger area effectively increasing the modulus of the infill
material. Strata Web is very effective for pavements, ground improvement below embankments,
access roads etc. over poor subgrades such as expansive soils, black cotton areas, etc. It can be
engineered for heavy loading and several site conditions.

4. Retaining Wall - In several projects, where changes of grade challenges are encountered,
retaining walls are required. Typical concrete retaining walls are expensive to construct and
require substantial time. A StrataWeb retaining wall is an optimized solution for such projects.
The wall can be designed either as geogrids reinforced soil wall or as a gravity wall.
Advantages of geoweb

 The Geoweb geocell cellular confinement system is manufactured to ISO 9001 quality
standards. Its robust UV resistant structure is ideal for use in harsh environments.
 The Geoweb system can be installed quickly, particularly through the use of the patented
ATRA Key connection system or high strength tendons, saving on installation costs.
 It is an eco-friendly soil stabilisation solution that blends into the natural environment.
 Its strong, three-dimensional structure means it can easily withstand construction
activities.
 With different types of infill, perforations allow infill to interlock with the cell walls,
increasing frictional resistance, creating a better armoured slope.
 In saturated conditions, the removal of excess water increases infill friction, reducing
down slope sliding forces, resulting in a more stable system.

Geofoam Video

The_Geofoam_solution.3gp (Command Line)

Installation of Geoweb

GEOWEB®_Geocell_Channel___Slope_Installation_(Full).mp4 (Command Line)

References:

http://www.strataindia.com/strataweb.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInZLNiNyD2wIVlSQrCh3S9A
oEEAMYASAAEgKQHvD_BwE
https://www.geocomp.com/GeoTesting/Lab_Services_Geosynthetics_Geocomposite
https://www.geocomp.com/GeoTesting/Lab_Services_Geosynthetics_Geofoam
https://www.geofabrics.co/products/geoweb%C2%AE
http://www.climaxindia.com/geocomposites.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoTkaRm26S0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oQp3QsUl3ws