Chapter 88 Soil nailing construction

Soil nailing is now an established method of providing efficient slope stabilisation and structural retaining wall stability. Soil nails are utilised on a wide range of slope geometries and in variable ground conditions; this has resulted in the development of a variety of innovative materials and construction methods.

The technique involves the installation of a reinforcement bar within a drilled hole which can be grouted before, during or after the reinforcement is inserted. The soil nails are usually arranged on regular grid spacing depending on ground conditions and slope geometry. The surface of the slope is also usually covered with either a hard or flexible facing with a head plate being fixed to the nail reinforcement and bearing on the facing. Soil nail projects also involve the excavation or preparation of the slope face, construction of crest and toe drainage. Quality control includes the load testing of nails.