What Is a Cement Geocomposite? Types and Installation

A cement geocomposite is a manufactured product with a cement-based core held within a geosynthetic layer, which hardens when hydrated. A cement geocomposite usually consists of several layers, such as a hydrophilic layer, a waterproof PVC bottom layer and a core layer containing cement with added fibers.

Cement Geocomposite Composition

The first, topmost layer of this material is made of hydrophilic fibers. The second layer is a fiber matrix, the third layer is the cement itself, and the fourth, bottom layer is a polymer such as PVC, HDPE, LDPE or LLDPE.

Types

Type 1 cement geocomposite can withstand a shear stress of less than 50 kg/m2 at flow velocities of up to 6 m/s, and is not designed for impact loads.
Type 2 can be installed on a fairly dense layer so that it can support the cement geocomposite, as on rock. Type 3 is used for slope protection, where the slope gradient must be less than 3:1 and the slope length must be less than 15 m.

Installation

A cement geocomposite is installed by rolling it out so that it evenly covers the surface of the slope to be protected. During installation, make sure the polymer layer is the side in direct contact with the ground.

Rolling out a cement geocomposite requires a special tool called a spreader bar, because a cement geocomposite roll must not be deployed by dropping it from the top of the slope down to the bottom.

Read Also: How to Install Geogrid

The upper end of the cement geocomposite in the anchor trench must be secured with steel J-pin anchors or rock anchors embedded at least 25 cm deep, so that it does not shift while the cement geocomposite is being rolled out.

Watering is carried out after the material has been laid out; hydration takes place when the cement geocomposite comes into contact with water. Hydration is a critical step in cement geocomposite installation. Incomplete hydration reduces the flexural strength and tensile capacity of the material.