Geocell Confinement System (Geoweb)

Geoweb® Cellular Confinement System | The Original 3D Geocell

Engineering Solutions for Soft Subgrades, Erosion, and Dynamic Axle Loading Since 1982

The Challenge: Subgrade Pumping, Shearing, and Structural Instability

When heavy equipment moves across low-bearing-capacity soils, soft tundra, or saturated subgrades, unconfined aggregate layers inevitably fail. Under repeated dynamic wheel loads, subgrade soil pumps upward into the base material, causing severe rutting, lateral aggregate displacement, and rapid structural degradation. In remote access corridors and freeze-thaw environments, repairing these ongoing site failures requires continuous maintenance, regrading, and costly imported fill.

The Consequences of Failure: Perpetual Maintenance and High Material Costs

Allowing aggregate to push outward under shear stress leads to deep surface deflection and loss of structural integrity. On steep slopes and hydraulic channels, unconfined topsoil or rip-rap washes away during high-velocity runoff events. In remote sites—where hauling structural aggregate can cost ten times the price of the material itself—relying on thick, traditional unconfined sub-bases creates enormous logistical overhead and constant project downtime.

The GeoCHEM Solution: 3D Cellular Confinement Mechanics

The Geoweb® Cellular Confinement System (CCS)—co-developed by Presto Geosystems and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—transforms low-quality native soil into a rigid structural mattress. Through the interaction of cell-wall hoop stresses and passive earth resistance, Geoweb® distributes heavy point loads laterally, drastically reduces required base depth, and stops rutting before it starts.

The ATRA® Key Connection Advantage

For remote civil construction where labor costs and tight timelines dictate profitability, the patented ATRA® Key system replaces slow pneumatic stapling. Field tests demonstrate that ATRA® Keys deliver connections that are 3 times faster to install and 3 times stronger at the joint interlock, requiring only a single laborer without pneumatic tool failure or compressor downtime.

In the Field: Proven Application Profiles

Backed by over 40 years of field performance in extreme environments, Geoweb® provides immediate structural stabilization across high-stakes civil engineering applications:

• Remote Unpaved Access & Haul Roads: Stabilizes soft tundra subgrades and bridges low-CBR soils, eliminating lateral gravel loss under heavy mining and oilfield equipment.
• Slope & Shoreline Erosion Control: Locks vegetation, aggregate, or concrete infill into place on steep cuts, preventing slope sliding under severe freeze-thaw and saturated conditions.
• High-Velocity Channel Protection: Replaces heavy granite rip-rap with flexible engineered armoring capable of handling continuous hydraulic shear stresses up to 26.5 ft/sec.
• Multi-Layer Earth Retention: Creates structurally sound, vegetated retaining walls for steep cuts, grade changes, and sensitive embankment facings.

Geoweb® Technical Reference & Specification Library