Industrial Warehouses: Soil Stabilization for Warehouses with Geocells

Soil stabilization with geocells is an old technique that uses geosynthetics to reinforce soils and increase their bearing capacity.

Geocells function as a three-dimensional structure that contains the soil, distributing applied loads horizontally and preventing lateral displacement and ground deformation, especially in soft or unstable soils.

In addition, geocells reinforce cohesion between soil particles and improve drainage, which helps prevent erosion and increases stability on slopes or areas with the presence of water. 

This solution is efficient and sustainable, as it improves the mechanical properties of the soil and facilitates construction on challenging terrain.

  Case Study: Project in Arraiján, Panamá

In 2022, a warehouse construction project was carried out in Arraiján that required intervention in soft soils.

The objective was to stabilize the industrial pavement of the logistics park, which was being expanded for new facilities.

However, the bearing capacity of the soil in the area designated for the warehouse was insufficient and the high water level represented a significant challenge.

Implemented Solution



A geocell pavement structure was designed to address these challenges. The use of geocells allowed the thickness of the slab to be reduced, achieving a more economical and efficient solution.

By confining the granular material within the cells, it was possible to distribute the loads evenly and significantly improve the resistance of the soil.

Additionally, soil stabilization with geogrids was incorporated to reinforce the system and optimize the distribution of vertical loads. This ensured that the industrial floor was more economical and durable.

Complementary drainage works were also carried out to evacuate groundwater, avoiding possible structural damage in the future.

Benefits Obtained

• More economical warehouse: Thanks to the optimization of resources and the design with geocells, construction costs were reduced.
• More economical industrial floor: The technical solution made it possible to achieve the required resistance levels with a lower slab thickness
• Sustainability: The use of geosynthetics such as geocells and geogrids helped improve soil performance without the need for massive material replacements.
• Slab with geocells: The system provided a reliable and stable base, adaptable to soft soil conditions and high water tables.



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