Soil Reinforcement with Geocells and Vegetation for Ecological Mitigation of Shallow Slope Failure

Abstract

Soil reinforcement using geocells and vegetation is one of the best forms of soil protection for shallow slope failure control. The geocell supports the vegetation growth and the vegetation cover provides protection against the surface erosion. This work proposed a soil treatment method using geocells for supporting the vegetation growth and stabilizing the shallow slope. A step-by-step installation of the geocells in the field and the development of vegetation growth were also described. The authors developed nine physical models that were reinforced with different sized geocell structures (no reinforcement and small and large geocell reinforcement). The models were placed under three rainfall intensities (50, 75, and 100 mm/h). The stability of the slope under the rainfall and the performance of the geocell reinforcement were assessed from the the development of slope failures, the soil erosion and the slope displacement. The results showed that the stability of geocell reinforced slopes were better off than the unsupported slope. The small geocell-reinforced slopes showed less measured soil erosion and also smaller slope displacement. In general, small geocells outperformed large geocells in terms of the erosion control and slope stabilization. The rainfall intensity dramatically increased the soil erosion on slopes. The geocell- and vegetation-treated slope in the field showed good resistance against the surface erosion.