Erosion Control Cellular Confinement Systems Project for Expressway Embankment Slope

Erosion Control Cellular Confinement Systems Project for Expressway Embankment Slope

1. Project Overview

This project covers embankment slopes of an expressway in mountainous southern China with a slope gradient of 1:1.5. The region features abundant rainfall and concentrated rainstorms. Key challenges include slope surface rain‑wash, rill and gully erosion, and shallow slope slippage. Slope revegetation is also required, and no heavy‑vehicle traffic occurs on the slope.

2. Engineering Pain Points

Loose embankment fill generates surface runoff easily under heavy rainfall, triggering gully development on slopes. Hydro‑seeding alone provides limited initial soil‑holding capacity, and topsoil stripping frequently happens during rainstorm seasons. Anchor‑bolt frame beam revetment involves high cost and long construction cycles.

3. Selected CCS Specification

Perforated HDPE geocell; height: 100 mm; sheet thickness: 1.3 mm; weld spacing: 440 mm, perforated type.

4. Key Construction Points

Trim slope surface and lay non‑woven geotextile;

Deploy and tension‑anchor perforated CCS from slope crest downwards;

Backfill improved planting soil into geocell cavities, then hydro‑seed local herb and shrub seeds;

Construct interception and drainage systems at slope crest and on slope faces.

5. Project Outcomes

✅ Surface runoff reduced by around 85%, gully formation and top‑soil loss largely eliminated;

✅ Vegetation matures within 2‑3 months; composite protection system formed by geocell confinement intertwined with plant root networks;

✅ Fast construction progress, with construction period shortened by 40 % compared with frame‑beam slope protection;

✅ Good visual integration with surrounding natural landscape.