Heidelberg Cement Ltd. desired to construct a check dam to store rainwater for irrigation and other needs for the local population. Challenges of this project included remote site location and difficult terrain, rendering the site almost inaccessible for normal earthwork equipment, along with undulating ground profile and time constraints.

Geotechnical specialists of Strata suggested a technique using their cellular confinement system – the StrataWeb® geocells style SW 660-200, infilled with locally available material for constructing the wall of the check dam. To render the system water-tight to a reasonable extent, the cells congruent to the upstream side were filled with plain cement concrete. The inner cells were filled with compacted local non-plastic soil. To prevent erosion from water flowing through the spillway pipes, the downstream face of the completed structure was covered with gunite - a cement mortar waterproofing admixture.

Weep-hole pipes were placed at appropriate intervals. The overflow was designed to take place through 250 mm nominal diameter pipes placed at intervals of 510 mm centre to centre. With these innovations, the construction was rapid and timely completion was ensured.

Approx. 40% of the cost was saved, thus delivering a quick, economical and effective solution.