The client, Florida DOT, was looking for a convenient solution on the Florida panhandle where soft soils were causing the roadside shoulder to become unstable at a bridge approach.

The 8½ ft roadside shoulder was first excavated 6 inches; then, the subgrade was compacted with a heavy-duty vibration compaction roller. A non-woven geotextile was laid next, followed by StrataWeb®, a medium weight geocell with a 4-inch depth. The honeycomb shape of the geocell is one of the most robust structural shapes proven to solve complex civil engineering problems associated with load support on soft soils.

Lastly, the stone was spread over the geocell and compacted inside the cells with 2 inches of overfill. By using geocell and stone fill, the Florida DOT provided a safe, load-bearing shoulder without the expense of paving.

StrataWeb® was selected as an innovative solution to protect the topsoil and prevent erosion.