Geocells are three-dimensional cellular expandable mats used to improve the load-carrying capacity of weak subgrades. The expanded geocell pockets take the shape of a honeycomb connected to their neighbouring pockets. This manuscript deals with the importance of considering the exact shape of the geocell pockets in three-dimensional numerical modelling. The data for the calibration of the numerical models was obtained through laboratory plate load tests. The numerical simulations were carried out using finite difference software, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in Three Dimensions (FLAC^3D). The walls of the geocell were modelled using geogrid elements having only tensile load capacity. The interfaces between the geocell walls and the infill soils were modelled using Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. Three shapes of geocell pockets, viz. an exact honeycomb shape and simplified shapes (square and diamond), were considered in the numerical simulations. The numerical models with an exact shape of pockets have shown better agreement with experimental data, while the models with approximated shape overestimated the actual load capacity. The paper describes the modelling approach and the reasons for more accurate numerical predictions with the exact shape of geocell pockets compared to simplified pocket shapes.

中文翻译：

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袋形对土工格室加筋基础系统数值响应的影响

土工格室是用于提高弱路基承载能力的三维蜂窝可膨胀垫。扩展的土工格室袋呈蜂窝状，与相邻的袋子相连。这份手稿讨论了在三维数值建模中考虑土工格室的精确形状的重要性。用于校准数值模型的数据是通过实验室板载荷测试获得的。数值模拟是使用有限差分软件、^三维Continua 的快速拉格朗日分析 (FLAC ^3D）。土工格室的壁使用仅具有拉伸承载能力的土工格栅单元进行建模。土工格室壁和填充土之间的界面使用 Mohr-Coulomb 屈服准则建模。三种形状的土工格室口袋，即。在数值模拟中考虑了精确的蜂窝形状和简化的形状（方形和菱形）。具有精确口袋形状的数值模型与实验数据显示出更好的一致性，而具有近似形状的模型高估了实际负载能力。本文描述了建模方法以及与简化的口袋形状相比，使用土工格室口袋的确切形状进行更准确数值预测的原因。