Numerical Investigation of Geocoir Cell Utilisation as Cellular Confinement in Pavement Subgrade

This study comprehensively evaluates geocoir cell-reinforced pavement subgrade by integrating laboratory testing with three-dimensional finite element modelling. A numerical model was developed and validated based on experimental results to investigate key parameters influencing geocoir cell reinforcement performance in pavement subgrade. Parametric studies analysed the subgrade vertical stress distribution, tensile forces in geocoir cell walls, and load-settlement behaviour of subgrade to understand the confinement mechanism of geocoir cells. Key factors such as sand layer thickness above geocoir cell layer, subgrade soil’s relative density, and geocoir cell pocket width were assessed for their impact on pavement subgrade performance. Incorporating geocoir cell reinforcement has shown a marked reduction in subgrade deformation, while significantly enhancing bearing capacity, achieving up to a 2.93 fold improvement at an optimal relative density of 70%.