Mechanical performance and durability of geocoir cell-reinforced pavement bases under cyclic loading
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
This study investigates the structural efficacy and durability of geocoir-based natural geocells as an environmentally responsible reinforcement solution for flexible pavements. Cyclic loading tests on laboratory model pavement test sections showed that geocoir cells significantly improve structural response, reducing rutting by up to 70% in wet mix macadam (WMM) bases. In contrast, construction and demolition (C&D) waste bases provide a strong balance between structural integrity and resource circularity with geocoir cell reinforcement. To assess the long-term viability, a 90-day soil burial test was conducted on geocoir cell materials, followed by physicochemical characterization of raw and buried geocoir. Soil burial tests showed controlled biodegradation, with a total weight loss of 14.3% primarily during the first 60 days. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the persistence of key functional groups, including C–O–C linkages, and minor shifts in hydroxyl and lignin-associated bands, suggesting partial hydrolysis while retaining the core chemical structures of the geocoir material. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a moderate reduction in thermal stability, with the maximum decomposition temperature of geocoir shifting from 353° to 323°C after 90 days of burial, but the overall degradation profile remained stable. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of buried geocoir demonstrated an 8.72% reduction in crystallinity, affirming that degradation was confined predominantly to amorphous regions and that the geocoir retained its crystalline cellulose framework and structural coherence. These findings demonstrate that geocoir cells can perform as a viable, low-carbon reinforcement solution for circular pavement applications, maintaining mechanical performance and chemical stability under field-simulated conditions.
Keywords
cyclic loading, durability studies, geocoir, natural fibres, rut depth reduction
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
12-1-2026
Article Number
325
E-ISSN
09737677
ISSN
02562499
Volume
51
Issue
4
Publication Title
Sadhana
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Engineering
Funding Information
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, which was sanctioned to the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal (Grant No. Edu-23-00024).
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Raveendran, D., Seema, A. G., Kumar, P., Kolathayar, S., & Shukla, S. K. (2026). Mechanical performance and durability of geocoir cell-reinforced pavement bases under cyclic loading. Sadhana, 51, Article 325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-026-03334-y