SOIL NAILING

Soil nailing is an economical, stabilization method used to reinforce and strengthen existing slopes, by installing tension-resisting steel nails in the soil, creating a gravity retaining wall for permanent or temporary excavation support. Soil nail walls are typically constructed from the top down. Soil is excavated in varying depths, then tension-resisting steel bars are inserted into the holes and grouted in place, creating a composite mass similar to a gravity wall. A constructed face, typically made of a shotcrete cover, is normally required over the shoring bars, which reinforces the woven mesh over the steel plates. Permanent walls are usually built with a cast-in-place face over nailing.

Advantages of Soil Nailing/Soil Stabilization

• An economical means of constructing earth retention support systems and retaining walls
• Ability to follow irregular curves
• Equipment can portable to accommodate tight spaces
• The technique is flexible and easily modified
• Used for strengthening both natural slope or manmade cut slopes
• Grouting is required only once in the process, saving both time and labor
• Creates less noise and traffic obstructions
• Minimal impact on surrounding properties
• Requires minimum shoring space