A 3D cellular confinement system is a honeycomb geocell created by the 3D interaction of soil, cell walls and geometry. Cellular confinement systems maintain  soil compaction, thereby increasing the structural strength of the infill and pavement layer. 

The key geocell reinforcement mechanisms are lateral and vertical cellular confinement, beam effect and improved load distribution. When the confined soil within a geocell is subjected to loading, it causes lateral stresses on the cell walls. The 3D zone of cellular confinement reduces the lateral movement of soil particles while vertical loading on the contained infill results in high lateral stress and resistance on the cell-soil interface.