Numerical Parametric Study on Time-Dependent Response of Geocell-Reinforced Flexible Pavements

Flexible pavements on weak soil are prone to longitudinal cracking and rut formation on the surface. Geocell-reinforced granular layers offer enhanced load distribution and restrict settlement on the pavement under regular vehicular traffic. An intensive parametric study was done to assess the degree of impact of various factors on the time-dependent behavior of flexible pavement with a geocell-reinforced granular base. Parameters analyzed include stiffness and aspect ratio of geocell, frictional characteristics of the granular layer, and subgrade shear strength. The independent effect of each influential parameter on the mechanism of load transfer was analyzed using three-dimensional modeling incorporating the actual honeycomb shape of the geocell. The load transfer mechanism in a geocell is most affected by the tensile stiffness of geosynthetic material and the aspect ratio of the cellular pocket. While the effect of the wide slab mechanism is affected by the strength characteristics of all pavement layers, including fill friction, subgrade cohesion, and geosynthetic stiffness, the membrane effect is dependent purely on the strength and aspect ratio of the geocell. The aspect ratio close to unity is desirable for efficient and uniform stress transfer through Geocell walls.