Installing Geocell to protect Geomembrane

Recently, I received an inquiry from a customer in the Middle East, who wants to build an EFA pond which will be lined with geomembrane, and they plan to install Geocell on top of the Geomembrane to protect it. They want us to help with the Geocell Technical details and installation guidelines. For more details, please check below:

Our team is working on design of embankment with slope gradient of 1V:5H and slope height of 2.5m. As part of the slope protection measure and aesthetic requirements, we are proposing the use of geocells.

We need to understand the technical details and installation requirements of geocells on embankment slopes from your team. Thanking you in anticipation.

#Answer: Thanks for your below inquiry. This is Claire, have specialized in the HDPE Geocell field since year 2009. No problem, I can give you some recommendations.

According to your slope gradient of 1V:5H and slope height of 2.5m, we recommend to use our Excell Geocell HF100-445(height 100mm, welding distance 445mm), textured and perforated type. Attached please check our Tech-data for HF100-445, with all detailed specifications.

Dear Claire,

Thanks for sharing the design and installation guideline document.

To give you a brief insight of our project, please note that the embankment slope is for a proposed EFA pond which will be lined with geomembrane. The slope geometry shall be 1V:5H and with height of 2.5m.

#Answer: Ok, noted with thanks, the slope angle is around 11.3°.

Accordingly, we have put below our queries for your feedback.

1,How the J-hooks shall be installed in the presence of geomembrane liner below?

#Answer: No, for application of Geomembrane protection, you can’t use any Pin or Anchor, only use the tendon system to fix the Geocell.

Tendon+deadman design to fix the Geocell, and bury the deadman into the anchor trench.

2, Could you please share with us a typical cross section details used on actual project, where the geocell has been used underlain by geomembrane with geotextile protection?

#Answer: Sorry, we don’t have. As this kind of Geomembrane protection project is fewer than others, and no customer shares this similar design drawing with us.

3, What type of infill aggregate/gravel shall be used which does not impact the geomembrane liner below?

#Answer: You should use Gravel selected to be free from sharp edges, your drawing also has emphasized this.

And I checked carefully with our engineer, for Geocell type 100-445, the infill material of 75mm diameter stone is too big. You’d better use the diameter not bigger than 50mm, and in order to better compact them, we recommend to use 2-3 different kinds of sizes(For example, like dia 50mm + 20mm gravel together).

4, We have prepared below typical cross section. Could you please review our section and provide your recommendations/suggestions to include/remove any further details?

#Answer: We have reviewed your design drawings, they are very professional and comprehensive, also the details clearly marked. We only have 2 points want to emphasize:

1, The infill gravel size, better less than 50mm, and use 2-3 different kinds of size.
2, The tendon and deadman design, we will share other documents that have full details in next email separately.