Exploring the influence of size-related factors on geocell-reinforced soil response using coupled continuum-discontinuum analysis

Size-related factors, such as the dimensions and cell count of geocell, play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of soil reinforcement. In this study, a 3D coupled framework that leverages the strengths of both continuum and discontinuum methods was developed to investigate the influence of pocket size and multi-cell configuration on geocell-reinforced soils. To unveil the impact of size-related factors on soil-geocell interactions, reinforced soils containing various geocell configurations (single large-sized cell, multiple small-sized cells), as well as geocell-free soils subjected to increasing levels of confining pressure were extensively examined. This thorough investigation aimed to establish correlations between macroscopic responses and underlying micromechanical mechanisms. Our findings revealed that the presence of the geocell not only enhances the densification of interparticle contacts and reduces the number of floating particles that contribute minimally to load support, but also facilitates the concentration of force chains within the geocell structure. This leads to an increase in elastic stiffness along the loading axis. These observations highlight that the geocell's confining mechanism enhances both the load-carrying capacity and the infill rigidity, thereby preventing lateral soil spreading. In essence, the geocell serves to increase the soil's ability to withstand load and maintain its structural integrity laterally.