You have just purchased polyethylene geocells to stabilize a parking lot, driveway, or service road. The geocell mechanically confines the aggregate and prevents it from sinking and forming potholes. In this guide, we show you how to properly lay it out, anchor it, connect panels, and fill it, with specific notes depending on whether you have the 10 cm or 15 cm high variant.
Product specifications
Polyethylene geocells are three-dimensional panels of welded strips that, when expanded, form a honeycomb-like cell structure. This geometry confines the aggregate infill and prevents it from migrating laterally under load. The Dodom range offers two heights that change the bearing capacity: 10 cm for pedestrian and light vehicle loads, and 15 cm for commercial loads and heavy vehicles.
| Specification | 10 cm Height | 15 cm Height |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | 671265 | 747867 |
| Material | Polyethylene (PE) | Polyethylene (PE) |
| Finish | Textured and perforated | Textured and perforated |
| Cell height | 10 cm (4 in) | 15 cm (6 in) |
| Weld spacing | 44.5 cm | 44.5 cm |
| Expanded panel | 4 × 6 m (13 × 16 ft) | 4 × 6 m (13 × 16 ft) |
| Coverage per panel | 24 m² (258 ft²) | 24 m² (258 ft²) |
Step-by-step instructions for use
The geocell works by confinement: each cell keeps the aggregate in place under load. If the base is not well prepared, if the panels are not anchored, or if the cells are not completely filled, the confinement fails. Follow the steps in this strict order.
Excavate and level the subgrade
Remove vegetation and soft soil until firm ground is found. Level the surface with a minimum slope of 1% to 2% for drainage and compact. The excavation depth depends on the chosen cell height and whether you will place a draining gravel layer underneath.
- If you have the 10 cm variant: excavate to a depth of 15 cm (6 in) to accommodate the geocell plus a thin layer of topfill.
- If you have the 15 cm variant: excavate to a depth of 25 cm (10 in) and include a 10 cm (4 in) draining gravel layer under the geocell. Heavy vehicle loads require active drainage.
Place the separation geotextile
Lay non-woven geotextile over the subgrade to separate the natural soil from the infill. This prevents subsoil mud from migrating into the gravel and spoiling the confinement system. Overlap the rolls 30 cm (12 in) at each joint.
Expand the geocell panels
Open each panel from the center towards the edges until it reaches the indicated expanded dimensions (4 × 6 m). Keep the panels slightly separated to ensure that the cells are open and straight, without folds or creases.
Anchor the perimeter to the ground
Drive metal rods with anchor caps into the perimeter of each panel every 1 m (3.3 ft) and at each corner. Anchoring prevents the panel from closing during filling and keeps the cells open in their design square shape.
Connect the panels to each other
Bring neighboring panels together until the side walls meet and join them with plastic geocell connectors every 30 cm (12 in) along the joint. The joint must be continuous: if there is a gap between panels, the load will open that point before any other.
Fill the cells
Pour the infill material with a shovel or loader directly onto the cells, without accumulating it above. Spread with a rake until each cell is full and slightly raised above the top edge of the cell, so that after compaction it is flush.
- If you have the 10 cm variant: fill with 10 to 20 mm (3/8 to 3/4 in) gravel, coarse sand, or topsoil mixed with gravel if you are going to sow grass (green parking).
- If you have the 15 cm variant: use 20 to 40 mm (3/4 to 1 1/2 in) angular gravel for heavy vehicle traffic. Round gravel shifts under load and reduces bearing capacity.
Compact the infill
Pass a light vibratory compactor (rammer or vibratory plate) over the entire surface. Compact until the material is level with the top edge of the cell. If it falls below the edge, add more infill and re-compact.
Apply the surface finish
Add a thin layer of 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of the same caliber gravel or, if you are going to sow grass, spread topsoil mixed with seeds and water. This sealing layer covers the geocell fiber and provides a uniform surface for traffic.
For residential parking lots with a green aesthetic, mix the infill in a 70% 10 mm gravel and 30% topsoil with Bermuda grass seed ratio. The gravel provides bearing capacity while the soil nourishes the grass. The result is a parking lot that holds a car but looks like a garden.
Do not fill the geocell before anchoring it and connecting it to its neighboring panels. The weight of the aggregate closes the cells inward and leaves slanted walls instead of square ones. A poorly expanded geocell loses more than 50% of its confinement capacity. Anchoring and connections first, filling afterward. No exceptions.
10 cm or 15 cm height for your project?
If you are unsure between the two heights depending on the type of traffic the parking lot will support, or if you don't know how many panels, connectors, and rods you need, ask the virtual assistant. It will guide you based on load, square meters to cover, and available infill type.
Complementary products
The geocell does not function without three critical elements: ground anchors, connectors between panels, and suitable granular infill. The following complementary products cover the first two fronts and will be needed regardless of the chosen cell height.
The 50 cm (20 in) metal rod is the standard anchor for the perimeter of each panel. The anchor cap distributes pressure over the cell wall and prevents the rod from tearing the polyethylene over time. The geocell connector joins the panels together to ensure continuous mechanical confinement from one end of the stabilized area to the other; for each project, you will need between 10 and 12 connectors per joint between neighboring panels.
Maintenance and care
Geocells are buried products that are virtually unseen once installed. Their maintenance focuses on protecting the surface infill and addressing minor settlements:
- Inspection every 6 months: Check for any cells that have sunk below the surface level. If you find any, refill with material of the same caliber and compact the area as needed.
- Refilling after heavy rains: If water washes away some of the visible surface infill, replenish the lost amount as soon as possible. A partially empty cell provides less confinement, and the next rain will wash away more.
- No heavy machinery in green parking areas: If you installed the 10 cm variant for residential use, prevent vehicles weighing more than 3.5 t from circulating. The height is dimensioned for cars, not commercial traffic.
- Regular watering if you planted grass: In green parking areas, grass needs weekly watering during the dry season to maintain coverage. If the grass disappears, only exposed gravel remains, and the desired aesthetic effect is lost.
- Storage of leftover panels: Store them closed (unopened) in a dry place and protected from the sun. UV-treated polyethylene is resistant, but unnecessary exposure reduces its lifespan before installation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real difference between the 10 cm and 15 cm geocells?
Load-bearing capacity. The 10 cm one is dimensioned for pedestrian traffic, residential access, and light vehicles (cars and family SUVs). The 15 cm one is for commercial parking lots, service roads, and heavy vehicles (trucks, forklifts). If you have doubts and cost is not a critical issue, install the 15 cm one: it will never fall short in capacity.
What can I use to fill the cells?
The most common is angular gravel from 10 to 40 mm, depending on the height. Coarse sand, recycled aggregate, and a mixture of topsoil with gravel are also acceptable if you plan to plant grass. What doesn't work is filling with fine particles (pure fine sand, clay) because they migrate out of the cells with water and leave the system empty.
Can I use geocells for vertical retaining walls?
Yes, but the design changes. In walls, horizontal layers of geocell filled with confined soil are stacked, forming structural blocks. For this application, a stability calculation is required and, normally, uniaxial geogrid between layers. If your project is a wall, before purchasing, consult the virtual assistant for the total thickness and height to properly dimension the system.