GEOWEB® Retaining Walls have enhanced transportation infrastructure, site development, and environmental and landscape projects for over 45 years, delivering flexibility, stability, and cost efficiency.

As engineers, contractors, and owners evaluate the GEOWEB Walls for real-world applications, common questions often arise around design considerations, installation practices, and long-term performance. The following Q&A addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about the GEOWEB Wall System, providing practical guidance and insight into best practices for successful design and construction.

Q: How do you install guardrails in GEOWEB Geocell Walls?

A: The preferred approach is to place posts behind the geocell wall face, rather than penetrating the system. Typically, posts are offset from the face and embedded into the reinforced zone. This approach avoids cutting the panels and preserves confinement. If project constraints require guardrail posts to penetrate the panels, additional care is needed.

Post locations should be coordinated in advance, so they align with cell seams or junctions, rather than cutting through the center of cells. Any required cuts to the cell walls should be clean and minimal, with the cut cells zip-tied to adjacent cells to prevent damage.

A sonotube should be installed around the post to isolate it from the panels. Backfill around the sonotube must be placed and compacted carefully in lifts to avoid deforming adjacent cells.

Q: Can surcharge loads be included above a GEOWEB Wall?

A: Yes. Surcharge loadings can be included but they must be explicitly accounted for in the design because they directly influence lateral earth pressures and global stability. Common surcharges include traffic or storage loads, but their proximity to the wall crest is important, as surcharge loads placed close to the edge produce the greatest impact. The GEOWEB MSE Wall Design Program allows modeling surcharge loadings above a wall, and the program is flexible to account for different scenarios.

Q: When should riprap be placed in front of the GEOWEB Wall?

A: Riprap should be placed in front of a GEOWEB Wall when there is potential for erosion or scour that could undermine the toe or face. This is particularly important in applications exposed to flowing water where concentrated flow velocities can remove unprotected soil at the base of the wall. Riprap serves as a protective armor layer that dissipates energy, prevents toe scour, and maintains the stability of the foundation supporting the system.

Q: How much does the GEOWEB MSE Wall Design Software cost?

A: The software is free, including yearly updates. Request License Here >>

Q: What format is the GEOWEB Design Software project report provided in?

A: The report is generated as a PDF, which can be downloaded and easily incorporated into other documentation.

Q: What is the cost of the GEOWEB Wall System?

A: Costs vary, but reinforced walls are generally more economical and stable than gravity walls, especially when gravity walls require multiple cells (4–7 cells deep). More cells mean more material, excavation, and backfill, which increases cost. Reinforced walls typically achieve stability with less material.

Q: How does the GEOWEB Wall System compare in cost to gabion walls?

A: It is typically much less expensive. The materials are lighter and easier to install, reducing both material and labor costs compared to heavy steel baskets and rock used in gabions.

Q: Can the geocell system handle loads from active roadways?

A: Yes. Like other MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) walls, the GEOWEB Geocell System can be designed to account for roadway loads, including cyclic loading.

Q: Have geocells been used in any DOT or railroad projects?

A: Yes. The GEOWEB System is recognized in industry manuals and is commonly used in DOT and railroad applications, including abutments, embankments, and other infrastructure projects. View Case Studies >>

Q: Does a geotechnical report need to include global stability analysis?

A: A global stability analysis should be included when site conditions or wall geometry warrant it, rather than as an absolute requirement in every case. Global stability analysis is necessary when the wall is part of a slope system, when foundation soils are weak or variable, when significant surcharge loads are present, or when the wall height and reinforced zone create the potential for deep-seated failure. While it may add cost, global stability is a critical factor in wall performance and should be considered a best practice.

Q: Can trees or vegetation grow on or near the geocell wall?

A: Yes. The GEOWEB Geocell Wall can be designed to accommodate vegetation. Small plants and controlled vegetation are beneficial, as root systems can improve stability. However, very large trees should be avoided directly within the wall structure.

Q: Does vegetation negatively impact wall performance?

A: No. Once established, vegetation can enhance stability by reinforcing the soil with root systems.

Ready to see how the GEOWEB® Wall System can deliver performance and savings on your next project? Our engineering team is here to help you select, design, and implement the right solution with confidence.

Request the free GEOWEB MSE Wall Design Software, explore real-world case studies, or connect with our experts for personalized guidance.

Our engineering team offers one hour, on-demand webinars for your convenience as well. Watch them here:

• Designing Retaining Walls & Reinforced Slopes
• Introduction to the GEOWEB® MSE Retaining Wall Design Software

Get started today and build smarter, more stable, and more efficient retaining wall with GEOWEB Geocells.