GCL & Geocell Lining, Supply & Installation – Stormwater Attenuation Pond, Fuel Depot Expansion, South Africa — Case Study

GCL & Geocell Lining, Supply & Installation – Stormwater Attenuation Pond, Fuel Depot Expansion, South Africa — 1,300 m²

Supply and installation of an EB4000 geosynthetic clay liner and GS150 geocell system for a 1,300 m² stormwater attenuation pond at a fuel-depot expansion in South Africa.

ScopeSupply & Install

Area Lined1,300 m²

ResourcesGCL and geocell installation team

CQA StandardsApproved GCL overlap, geocell and cover-layer requirements

Completed2025

Case Study Brief

The fuel-depot expansion required a lined stormwater attenuation pond. Geosynthetics Africa supplied and installed an EB4000 geosynthetic clay liner with a GS150 geocell system as part of the approved pond assembly. The GCL provided the specified low-permeability layer. The geocells confined the overlying infill and supported the surface arrangement. Each layer had a separate function within the project design. Installation involved preparation of the supporting surface, GCL deployment and overlaps, geocell placement and infilling. GCL joints rely on the specified overlap and detailing requirements rather than thermally welded geomembrane seams. Suitability for the expected water chemistry and any hydrocarbon exposure must follow the project’s compatibility assessment. This case concerns stormwater attenuation and should not be treated as a universal approval for fuel containment.

GCL & Geocell Lining, Supply & Installation – Stormwater Attenuation Pond, Fuel Depot Expansion, South Africa

The Installation Challenge

The attenuation pond required the EB4000 clay-liner and GS150 geocell layers to work within one approved design. Surface preparation, GCL continuity, overlap detailing and infill placement had to preserve the barrier and supporting system.

The prepared pond surface received the specified GCL with material-specific overlaps and details. Geocells were positioned above the liner and infilled to the project requirements, with inspection directed to overlaps, restraint and the completed cover arrangement.

Installation Sequence

Prepare and review the pond surface

Check the formation, levels and perimeter details before releasing the surface for installation.

Deploy the EB4000 GCL

Place the clay-liner panels and form the specified overlaps, perimeter and penetration details, managing exposure during installation.

Position the GS150 geocells

Expand and restrain the geocell system to the approved layout without damaging or disturbing the GCL beneath it.

Place infill and inspect

Complete the specified infill and cover arrangement, inspect continuity and detailing, and compile the installation records.

Field Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Checklist

Quality checks recorded on this installation.

Material verification: check GCL and geocell identification and condition against the project material schedule.

Formation review: inspect the supporting surface and perimeter/interface details before placing the GCL.

GCL continuity: check overlaps, edge detailing and exposure control against the material-specific installation requirements.

Geocell and cover review: check restraint, infill and cover placement without damage to the underlying barrier; retain the inspection records.

Products Used in Project

Products supplied and installed on this project.

Geomembranes

GCL Bentonite Geosynthetic Clay Liner

Quantity: 1300 m²

Erosion Control

GeoStrata™ HDPE Geocell

Quantity: 600 m²

“In-house project comment: The GCL and geocells serve different functions, so their interface matters. Our role was to coordinate the materials and installation as one attenuation-pond assembly, with inspection suited to those materials.

Ivan M

Project Manager · Geosynthetics Africa — internal project team