Plastic cellular confinement system

Plastic Cellular Confinement System (Plastic CCS) Full Introduction

1. Definition

Plastic Cellular Confinement System (commonly known as plastic geocell / honeycomb geocell) is a three-dimensional honeycomb geosynthetic structure. It is manufactured by ultrasonically welding modified polymer strips at fixed intervals. Delivered in folded compact form, it expands on-site into interconnected cellular chambers. After filling with soil, sand, aggregate or gravel, it forms an integrated stiff composite mattress for soil stabilization, slope erosion control and subgrade reinforcement.

2. Raw Material & Classification

Main Raw Material

· HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) – Most widely used permanent engineering grade, mixed with anti-UV, antioxidant and anti-freeze additives; design service life: 50~75 years.

· PP material – Mainly for temporary short-term projects with weaker anti-aging performance.

Types by Surface Structure

1. Perforated Plastic CCS

With uniform drainage holes; suitable for slope greening, river revetment and waterlogged soft subgrades. Realize water discharge and plant root penetration.

2. Textured / Embossed Plastic CCS

Rough surface increases friction between cell wall and fillers; preferred for heavy-load road subgrade.

3. Solid Smooth Plastic CCS

Without holes; applied to dry heavy-duty base where vegetation is not required.

Common Specifications

- Cell height: 100 / 150 / 200 / 250 / 300 mm

- Sheet thickness: 1.0–1.8 mm

- Welding spacing: 330 / 400 / 500 / 660 mm

- Weld peel strength: ≥8 kN/m (general project); ≥10 kN/m for steep slopes & heavy haul roads

3. Working Mechanism

1. 3D Lateral Confinement (Core Principle)

Each independent honeycomb chamber locks loose fillers and restricts lateral displacement. Unbound granular materials gain apparent cohesion, greatly improving shear strength to avoid rutting, surface sliding and slope creep.

2. Uniform Load Dispersion (Beam Effect)

Concentrated vertical loads are distributed over a wider underlying soil layer, reducing vertical stress and differential settlement by 40%~65%.

3. Hydrostatic Pressure Relief (Perforated Type)

Holes drain pore water and rainwater inside soil layers, prevent subgrade mud pumping and eliminate water pressure triggering slope failure. Plant roots interlock with the system to form long-term eco-composite reinforcement.

4. Flexible Adaptability

The whole mattress tolerates slight uneven foundation deformation without integral fracture, better than rigid concrete or masonry structures.

4. Core Advantages

1. Significantly improve bearing capacity of weak subsoil such as silt, mucky soil and backfill; bearing capacity can be increased by 2~3 times.

2. Reduce required thickness of aggregate cushion by 50%~80%; local on-site soil can be reused as infill to cut material and transportation cost.

3. Foldable packaging reduces transport volume by over 80%; lightweight for manual unfolding without large construction machinery, shorten construction period by more than 30%.

4. Excellent durability: resist UV radiation, acid, alkali, seawater corrosion and freeze-thaw cycles, minimize later maintenance frequency.

5. Eco-friendly alternative to concrete and stone pitching; perforated plastic CCS supports vegetation restoration for ecological engineering.

5. Main Application Fields

· Subgrade Stabilization

Highway, provincial & national highway soft foundation, road widening transition sections, bridge-road connection zones, mine haul roads, logistics yards, parking lots.

· Slope Protection & Ecological Restoration

Traffic cut/fill slopes, mountain steep slopes, open-pit mine waste dumps, landfill closure anti-slip slopes, park landscape slopes, desert sand fixation.

· Water Conservancy Revetment

Rivers, reservoirs, irrigation channels, tidal flats and seawall slopes; resist wave erosion and adapt to seasonal water level fluctuation zones.

· Municipal Engineering

Sponge city rain gardens, lightweight eco retaining walls, photovoltaic and wind farm slope protection.