Static stability analysis of geocell-reinforced slopes

This paper presents an analytical approach to investigate the stability of geocell-reinforced slopes using the limit equilibrium method (LEM). The so-called Horizontal Slice Method (HSM) is employed to simulate horizontal geocell layers. Each geocell layer acts as a beam providing bending and shear resistance in addition to axial strength. A formula is devised by picking relevant governing equilibrium equations, fitted to the new concept employed exclusively for analysis of geocell-reinforced slopes. Parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing the geocell height and replacing geogrids by geocells with various heights for slopes with different characteristics. The results showed that such actions would reasonably reduce the required tension and length of the reinforcement layers, meaning that the stability condition is improved and the less lengthy reinforcement system is formed. Output values also showed dependency on the slope angle and its material properties.