InfraCell 150-445: Geocell for RV Self-Storage Facility

Case Studies

// Case Studies • Geocell 150-445

InfraCell 150-445: Geocell for RV Self-Storage Facility

The Project

The development of a large RV self-storage facility at Pineapple Drive, Hidden Valley, Queensland, required careful consideration of pavement design due to the anticipated high loads from the parked recreational vehicles. The project involved creating stable parking bays and driveways that would endure the constant movement of heavy vehicles while preventing surface degradation over time. Given the soft subgrade conditions at the site, a reliable ground reinforcement solution was necessary to prevent settlement and ensure long-term pavement stability.

To address these challenges, InfraCell 150-445, a high-performance geocell, was selected as part of the pavement design. This innovative geosynthetic material was employed to reinforce the areas beneath the facility’s carparks and driveways, ensuring the structural integrity of the pavements over time while reducing the overall material required for subgrade preparation.

Challenges

The site’s geotechnical conditions were characterized by soft, compressible soils, which posed a significant risk of settlement and pavement failure. As the facility was designed to accommodate large RVs, weighing several tons, the pavements were expected to endure heavy loads, particularly in parking areas and access roads. Without proper stabilization, the pavements would be vulnerable to rutting, cracking, and long-term structural damage.

The challenge was to design a pavement system that could handle these heavy loads while optimizing material usage and construction costs. Traditional pavement designs often require thick subgrade layers to support such loads, but the project aimed to minimize the environmental impact and reduce material costs without compromising the stability and durability of the pavements.

// Our Solution

InfraCell 150-445 was selected as an integral part of the pavement design due to its superior ability to stabilize weak subgrades and improve load distribution. The geocell system, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), forms a three-dimensional honeycomb structure that confines the infill material, distributing loads more evenly across the pavement surface.

For this project, the geocell was installed beneath the carparks and driveways. By using InfraCell 150-445, the design team was able to reduce the thickness of the subgrade materials while maintaining the necessary strength and stability for heavy vehicle traffic. The geocell’s ability to distribute the weight of the RVs evenly across the subgrade prevented localized stress points, reducing the risk of settlement and pavement failure.

Key Benefits of InfraCell 150-445 in Pavement Design:

Improved Load Distribution: The geocell’s honeycomb structure helps distribute the heavy loads from the RVs evenly across the surface, preventing localized deformation and ensuring the long-term durability of the pavement.
Reduced Material Use: By reinforcing the subgrade, InfraCell 150-445 allowed for a thinner pavement structure, reducing the amount of aggregate and other materials required, which lowered both material costs and environmental impact.
Ease of Installation: The lightweight nature of the geocell panels made them easy to install, speeding up the construction process and reducing labor costs. This was particularly important for a project with large surface areas such as the RV storage facility.
Long-Term Durability: The HDPE material used in InfraCell 150-445 is resistant to water, chemicals, and UV exposure, ensuring that the pavement structure remains durable and low-maintenance over time.

Results

The application of InfraCell 150-445 as part of the pavement design for the Hidden Valley RV storage facility resulted in a stable, durable foundation capable of supporting the heavy loads associated with RV parking and movement. The geocell system not only improved the load distribution across the pavements but also allowed for a reduction in the thickness of the subgrade materials, leading to cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.

This project demonstrated the effectiveness of geocell pavement systems in providing a sustainable and cost-efficient solution for facilities that require heavy-duty pavement designs. The use of InfraCell 150-445 ensured that the pavements at the Hidden Valley facility would remain stable and durable for years to come, even under the stresses of frequent RV traffic.