Design Considerations:

Two approaches were evaluated for the reinforcement of the soil

which is to be used as a foundation to a warehouse.
a.) The first approach was through soil replacement. Wherein, the
present soil will be removed and will be replaced by a suitable
soil preferably a rocky soil like limestone or granite.
b.) The second approach was through the use of a geosynthetic,
namely the geocell. Instead of excavating the weak layer, the
constructed geocell mattress will be directly installed on the
layer. The geocell mattress will act as a foundation for the
warehouse.
In order to evaluate further a simple cost comparison was
made between the two options.

Cost
Comparison:
Area: 753 sq.m
rat
e

cost

a.)soil
replacement:
excavation(3.5
m)
disposal off site
new soil fill

50
15
0
35
0

Php/m^
3
Php/m^
3
Php/m^
3

130025
390075
910175

total: Php

143027
5

b.) geocell:
installation
free draining
infill

50
0
40
0

Php/m^
2
Php/m^
3

371500
297200
total: Php

668700

cost difference:
Php

761575

Based from the cost comparison it is shown that the geocell installation cost a lot
less than soil replacement. Aside from the difference in cost, various factors are also
evaluated. One factor would be time management, by using the geocell approach it
would eliminate further site traffic and will take a lesser time compared to the
replacement approach. Another factor would be the advantages of geocell which
would increase the soil bearing capacity of an unreinforced soil. Therefore, with all
the factors taken into account it was decided to proceed with design of the geocell
mattress.