1. Transportation and Storage

• UV Protection: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is sensitive to prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Upon arrival at the job site, all materials must be covered with tarpaulins to avoid extended open-air exposure. Note that while a compliant carbon black content ($ge 1.5%$) slows down UV degradation, it does not replace the need for physical protective covering.

• Puncture Prevention: Although the polymeric strips are highly durable, they are susceptible to sharp objects. Avoid direct impact from rebar or crushed stone during loading, unloading, and handling to prevent punctures or micro-fractures along the ultrasonic welds.

• Moisture and Dust Control: While environmental moisture does not degrade the material properties, the perforations in perforated geocells must be kept free of mud and debris. Clogging will compromise the system's long-term drainage efficiency and root penetration capabilities.

2. On-Site Deployment and Anchoring

• Full Extension and Tensioning: Geocell sections must be fully expanded and tensioned to their specified design dimensions (weld spacing). Do not allow sections to under-extend ("under-stretching"), as this reduces the effective confinement height and significantly lowers the system's overall load-bearing capacity.

• Anchoring Systems:

  • Slope Applications: Drive anchor pins (typically $Phi 8text{--}12text{ mm}$ steel rebar anchors, with lengths determined by soil conditions) at the designed grid intervals. Increase anchor density around the four corners and along the longitudinal edges.

  • Anchoring Depth: Anchors must penetrate deep into the stable underlying strata; hanging or securing anchors solely within the loose topsoil layer is strictly prohibited.

  • Subgrade/Base Applications: For flat ground applications, use U-shaped staples for temporary fixation to prevent cell shifting during aggregate dumping.

• Interlocking and Jointing: When joining adjacent sections, maintain an overlap width of $ge 300text{ mm}$. Secure the joints firmly using tie wires or heavy-duty structural fasteners to eliminate any risk of joint separation under load.

3. Infill Placement and Construction

• Layered and Symmetrical Spreading:

  • For cell heights $le 100text{ mm}$, the infill can be placed in a single lift. For cell heights $> 100text{ mm}$, placement in two separate layers is highly recommended.

  • Spread the infill material from the center of the geocell section outward to the edges to minimize lateral thrust and prevent cell deformation.

• Infill Particle Size Matching:

  • Perforated Geocells: The maximum aggregate size should not exceed $1/3$ to $1/2$ of the cell's weld spacing to prevent bridging at the cell opening or fracturing the cell walls.

  • Vegetated Slopes: Use a well-graded crushed stone base layer to ensure structural drainage, topped with a blended layer of fine-grained topsoil and grass seed.

• Equipment Restrictions: Driving heavy construction equipment directly on deployed, unfilled geocell sections is strictly prohibited. The ultrasonic welds cannot withstand concentrated wheel loads and will tear or rupture.

4. Compaction Procedures

• Gradual Compaction Effort:

  • Flat Ground: Perform initial leveling with a light-duty roller, followed by a heavy-duty compactor to achieve the specified target density (Proctor density).

  • Slope Applications: Utilize small, walk-behind vibratory plates or tampers to avoid dislodging or breaking the slope anchoring points.

• Compaction Direction: Run compaction equipment parallel to the longitudinal direction of the geocell sections. This minimizes transverse shearing forces on the ultrasonic welds.

• Overfilling: The infill material must be overfilled by $10text{--}20text{ mm}$ above the top edge of the cell walls to create a slight "crown." This allowance accounts for initial traffic compaction or natural settlement, ensuring the settled infill finishes flush with the cell tops and prevents localized voiding.