Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India
Client (Unnamed) is a major player in warehouse construction and management. At one of the mega warehouse site in Bhiwandi, the client experienced general failure in the floor slab due to the settlement of the subgrade soil.
This settlement is assumed due to the higher depth of soil fill, which was not compacted properly and settled due to excess concentrated loading which was not accounted in floor slab design. To avoid this problem in their upcoming warehouse, the client approached TechFab India for a solution to stabilize the subgrade.
Conventionally in order to distribute heavy loads, contractors usually recommend slab with higher thickness, however, this will not help if the subgrade is weak or not compacted properly.
In order to enhance the soil subgrade conditions and to provide a firm support to the top pavement layer which could sustain heavy loading and reduce bearing pressure on the low bearing strata, it was decided to reinforce the subgrade soil with TechCell Geocell (445×150 Type). The section was designed considering the loading conditions and soil infill properties
TechCell Geocell filled with GSB or non-cohesive coarse granular earthen material helps in reducing the pressure on the subgrade thereby minimizing differential settlement due to the induced pressure and providing basal support to the slab. The interconnected cells improve the modulus of marginal fill material and transfer the load pressure to wider area thereby reducing the strains to permissible limits and preventing the soil from losing its structural integrity. Its honey comb like structure helps in retaining and confining soil within, thereby preventing any kind of lateral deformation or liquefaction under induced loading.
In addition to TechCell Geocell, TechGeo Nonwoven Geotextile PR20 was also used below the Geocell layers to act as a separation and filtration layer. With enhanced modulus of the subgrade due to TechCell, the client could reduce the thickness of grade slab from previously heavy design and save costs.
The project was completed successfully and is performing to the intended purpose, to the satisfaction of both the client and contractor. TechCell Geocell provided effective subgrade stabilization, preventing future settlement and ensuring long-term durability of the warehouse floor.
