Analysis of Geocell Reinforcement of Base Course in Flexible Pavement – Case Study

Abstract

Roads are one of the main media for transportation of goods as well as people. India has a huge network of over 6.4 million km comprising of national and state highways and urban and rural roads. National highways carry over 40% of total traffic but account for only 2% of total road network, while remaining road network consist of state highways and rural and urban roads. National highways are important for development of country, but rural roads are also very important for connecting the villages to the main road networks. Hence for this cause Indian government launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2000. The main objective of this scheme is to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations as part of poverty reduction strategy. Currently stage three of this scheme known as PMGSY-III is undergoing in India. Under the PMGSY-III it is proposed to consolidate 125000 km road length in states between 2019-20 to 2024-25. To maintain the connectivity uninterrupted, good quality of roads are to be constructed. Stability of the road pavement mainly depend on the sub-base of pavement. Hence to increase the stability of pavement subbase has to be stabilized by various methods like Lime stabilization, Cement stabilization, Stabilization using polymeric materials. In this report Geocell is used as such polymeric material. By using geocell CBR of soil can be increased to sufficient value resulting in reduced pavement thickness. As pavement thickness decreases cost also decreases resulting in more economic design. Geocell also helps in improving the drainage capacity of soil. Under the PMGSY-III the road Khandbara to Kholghar in Navapur Taluka, Nandurbar District, Maharashtra is selected for use of Geocell in subbase for soil stabilization.