In our on-demand webinar, Flexible Design Solutions for Resilient Dams and Spillways, Sam Justice, P.E., Civil Engineer for Presto Geosystems, explores how the GEOWEB® Soil Stabilization System helps address the unique challenges of dam and spillway applications through effective erosion control, slope protection, and load support solutions. The presentation highlights real-world design considerations, project applications, and strategies for improving infrastructure performance in demanding hydraulic environments. To continue the conversation, our engineering team has compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from the webinar. Read on for expert insights into how flexible design approaches can enhance the resilience, adaptability, and sustainability of dams and spillways for decades to come. How do you know the aggregate roadway thickness is being reduced? The GEOWEB System is used to reduce aggregate base thickness in road construction by improving load distribution and confinement. Depending on subgrade strength and loading conditions, reductions typically range from about 30% to 60%, with greater savings achieved on weaker soils (CBR < 3). This is possible because the geocell system increases the effective stiffness and shear resistance of the aggregate layer, allowing it to perform like a thicker unconfined section while using less material. What thickness of… Read more »

When extreme weather events occur, communities are often left to grapple with the devastating effects. An increase in extreme weather patterns, coupled with aging or inadequate infrastructure, amplifies the often dangerous and costly damage that ensues—especially for vulnerable communities living in low-lying areas. According to a recent study, extreme weather events continue to trend upwards, leaving many more American homes and businesses at risk of severe flooding. For this reason, it is vital to build resilience into infrastructure projects to mitigate climate risk and ensure the long-term reliability of critical infrastructure. Incorporating geosynthetics into infrastructure can improve the ability of communities to withstand and recover from extreme weather events. For example, in hurricane-prone parts of the country, designing robust access roads along power transmission lines allows repair crews to safely and quickly restore power to communities that might otherwise be without electricity for days or even weeks. Geosynthetic products, such as geocells, can be used to construct reliable access roads along transmission infrastructure, which often traverse very remote areas with difficult terrain and very soft ground conditions. Through an interconnected honeycomb-like network, geocells confine and stabilize soils that would otherwise be unstable under loading. When used in load support, slope stabilization, channel protection,… Read more »

💧 GEOWEB® Geocells for Erosion Control & Vegetation Can exposed sidewalls on an erosion control wall be finished with rock or other materials? Yes. It’s common to cover exposed sidewalls with rock or other finishes. In many cases, riprap is placed at the base to protect against scour, especially in areas with water flow. What happens when vegetation goes dormant in winter? Does erosion increase? Great question. Effective erosion control accounts for seasonal variability by incorporating erosion control blankets or turf reinforcement mats that are selected and sized based on site-specific hydraulic conditions and anticipated velocities. By working closely with erosion control manufacturers and relying on proven design methodologies, these systems maintain soil stability and erosion resistance year-round, ensuring performance even when vegetation is inactive. 🚧 GEOWEB Geocells: Construction & Maintenance If used in road construction, how do you repair a geocell system? Repairs are straightforward and similar to other planar geosynthetics (e.g., geogrids, geotextiles) systems: Excavate down to the GEOWEB geocell layer to expose the affected area. Cut the material using a concrete or pipe saw to allow access. Perform the repair (e.g., pipe replacement). Patch the system with the new GEOWEB geocell and geotextile material. View All GEOWEB… Read more »

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… Read more »

By: JP George, Business Manager, Presto Geosystems In the nonstop rush to complete the latest to-dos, leisure time often gets pushed aside. Yet those moments we spend doing what we love are essential. Whether it’s a quiet walk through the woods, a yoga class, cycling, painting, gaming, gardening, or a round of golf, these activities help us recharge and reconnect. Unfortunately, most of us have far too little time for the activities we enjoy, so when recreational spaces are disrupted by repairs, maintenance, or new construction, minimizing downtime matters. Fast project completion can make the difference between weeks of closure and getting people back to enjoying their favorite activities. Golf Course Construction Without the Lengthy Downtime A friend of mine, Patrick, is an avid golfer. Unlike me, where golf is equal parts relaxation and frustration, Patrick actually knows what he is doing and thoroughly enjoys it. Like many of us, Patrick balances work, family, and a packed schedule, so finding time for golf isn’t easy. One of his favorite courses, Kings Mill in Virginia, recently underwent “playable area” repairs following a major storm event. Restoring the damaged sections required heavy construction equipment to move across the course fairways and surrounding… Read more »

Thank you to all who participated in our recent webinar, “Best Practices for Installing the GEOWEB® Geocell System,” and for submitting your technical questions regarding GEOWEB® Geocells. Based on the discussion and submitted inquiries, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked topics to help clarify how the GEOWEB system works and where it delivers the greatest value. If you didn’t catch the live webinar, view the on-demand webinar here and earn PDH credits. Q1. How difficult is it to address a poor or failed subgrade with GEOWEB Geocells? Addressing a poor subgrade with the GEOWEB systems is typically straightforward and highly effective when properly designed. Rather than relying on deep undercutting or chemical soil treatment, the GEOWEB system mechanically stabilizes weak soils by confining the infill and distributing loads laterally. This reduces vertical stress on the subgrade and minimizes rutting and shear deformation. From a construction standpoint, installation is simple and often completed with only minimal subgrade preparation. Even in very weak conditions (CBR < 3%), the GEOWEB system can significantly reduce required aggregate thickness while improving overall performance, making it a more reliable and more cost-effective solution than traditional stabilization methods. To eliminate uncertainty, we offer a… Read more »