New geocell utilisation as a pipe uplifting countermeasure and its validation using model experiments

In this study, we proposed a new method for preventing the uplift of a pipe using geocells, to improve the workability of the pipelines and increase the uplift resistance. As a fundamental study, push-up tests were conducted on the model pipe to verify the effectiveness of the geocell reinforcement. The experimental results showed that geocell reinforcement increased the peak resistance by more than 1.5 times and the resistance at large displacement (at a displacement of 40 mm) by more than 3 times at maximum, compared to the unreinforced method, indicating that geocell reinforcement is an effective countermeasure against pipe uplift. The combination of geocells and geotextiles increased the resistance at large displacement (at a displacement of 40 mm) by 1.41 times more than only geocell, contributing significantly to the increase in uplift resistance. In particular, increasing the number of geocells downward from the top of the pipe (on the side of the pipe), and integrating the left and right geocells with the geotextile, increased considerably the peak resistance and resistance at large displacement (at a displacement of 40 mm).