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

PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL FOR RECTIFICATION OF SLOPE

FAILURE IN THE PREMISES OF THE CMC PLAY
GROUND,HOTAKENA

INTRODUCTION
Colombo municipal council has called for a proposal for Rectification of Slope Failure
at CMC play ground – hotakena.

The restoration of this slope failure and its enhanced stability are of utmost priority
according to the field observations, Soil Tech (Pvt Ltd) has observed that the slope is
composed of debris and loose soil. The area prone to sliding is about 200m 2.It was
learnt that, the area was used to crush the boulders with explosives about 20-30
years ago. After that, the area was used to dump the garbage of the surrounding
area. When we dig at the toe of the slope using excavator, there have being decaying
garbage and forming peat layer. Further, height of the retaining wall from the toe
more than 5m. thus, there is a possibilities to settlement. Due to that, the retaining
wall/ gabion wall could have been settled or tilted by unfavorably large vertical
pressure exerted on the base of the retaining wall/gabion wall

According to site and geotechnical conditions of the location, the slope should be protected
by suitable earth retention system without compromising the slope stability and the
surrounding operations further. A number of different techniques including Soil nailing, Self
Drilling anchors and Shotcreting are envisaged in the restoration design.

The potential for further slope stability, cost effective and access to the site determines that
soil nailing rather than soil nailing.


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2.0 METHODOLOGY

The proposed solution for preventing further slope failure & erosion entails the use of
soil nailing to supplement the protection of the existing slopes around the site. Finally
Plantation of Grass to beneficial for aesthetic appearance soil conservation

2.2 Soil nailing

Soil anailing technology can be utilized to restore unstable slopes and rectify
landslides, stabilise permanent and temporary excavation related construction and to
restore weak structures or those on the verge of collapse. The methodology involves
installation and grouting of soil nails (Steel reinforcing bars) over a designed regular
pattern to create a soil that acts as a coherent mass with improved shear strength.
Soil nailing System is today’s solution for a fast and efficient stabilisation method of
slopes into virtually any type of soil.

2.2.1 Construction of Soil nailing method

Due to the potential stability of the slope, the construction of outer surface of the face
is divided into three stages. Only one section is engaged in construction at a given
time.

The first stage is the clearing, trimming and excavation of the cut from the top down
with given trimming angle.usually to remove the loosened materials and trimmed
150mm of layer of top soil. Next, the soil nails, for carrying tension, are drilled and
grouted into the slope surface at the designed vertical and horizontal spacing to
ensure that the soil and soil nails act as a coherent mass. Before Shotcreting the
surface of the slope, the collapsed retaining wall segments should be cleared from the
site. If any cavities or large boulders encounter during the construction, The EPS
blocks would be used to replace/fill the cavities or boulders with light weight and
durable fill.

The following sequential stages comprise the soil nail installation:

I. Drilling Holes for soil nails

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Soil nail holes are drilled at predetermined locations to a specified length and
inclination using a drilling method appropriate for the ground conditions. The
system has historically been known as a “self-drilling anchoring” because the
hollow fully-threaded anchor bar serves as both the drill string and the grouted
anchor, thus installation is performed in a single operation. The sacrificial drill bit is
threaded onto the end of the Geo-Drill bar and left in place following drilling. The
drilling fluid (air, water, or grout) is introduced through the hollow bar and allows
the spoils to flush from the borehole.

II. Install Bearing Plates and Grid Facing

Typically trenches are excavated for recessed beams. Reinforcement steel/fabric

and Plates are installed at anchor heads. The recessed beam (grid) facing is
constructed with shotcrete to connect the nails.

Figure 4.Inserting Bearing Plates and Grid beams

2.3Shotcreting

Firstly collapsed old retaining wall and its debris(soil or other materials from the
surface) are removed. Then the recessed beam (grid) facing is constructed by
shotcrete to connect the nails, and then Coir net is securely laid on the slope surface,
and shotcrete up to the required thickness, as per specifications.

2.3.1 Specification for Shotcreting

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 Minimum compressive strength to comply with the design requirement of

28 MPa.
 Localized thickness of shotcrete at nail heads to confirm with punching
requirement given in design calculation.
 Shotcrete mix design including: Type of Portland cement. Aggregate
source and gradation. Proportions of mix by weight and water-cement
ratio. Proposed manufacturer dosage, technical literature, previous
strength test results for the proposed shotcrete mix completed in other
similar projects to be submitted for information and approved by the
Engineer/Client.
 Certificates of Compliance for bearing plates, drainage aggregate and PVC
drain piping to be submitted for approval by the Engineer/Client.
 Curing will be commenced within one hour of the application and it will last
for at least seven days.

Figure 5.Shotcreting

2.3.2 Materials

All materials for shotcrete shall conform to the following requirements:

 Cement – Portland cement (BS-196 or BS-197)

 Fine Aggregate - clean, hard, tough, durable uncoated grains, angular and
uniform in quality


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 Coarse Aggregate – clean, hard, tough, durable crushed stone

 Materials shall be delivered, stored and handled to prevent contamination,
segregation, corrosion or damage. Store liquid admixtures to prevent
evaporation and freezing.

2.4 Horizontal drains

Installation of parallel horizontal drains is often used when access follows a linear
alignment such as a cutting for a road way.

Short Drains are 40 mm external diameter and 2 m long, PVC (Type 1000) slotted
pipes. Long drains are of 90 mm external diameter PVC (1000) pipes. These drains are
perforated on the upper half (perforated diameter 5 mm with 125 mm centres) and
wrapped with an approved type of geotextile. Inner end of the PVC pipe is closed with
an end cap.

2.5Pullout Test

The primary objective of field pullout test for soil nails or anchors is to verify design
assumptions about the bond strength at the interface between the ground and the
cement grout sleeve. Figure 6 shows schematic apparatus for conducting a pullout
test. The anchors are normally tested with pull test only, if there any need.

Figure 6.Carrying out Pull-Out test

3 Safety Measures during Construction

 During the manual trimming, the personals are concerned and trained to be
with all aspects of safety precautions including safety belts, safety helmets,
gloves and goggles, proper communication systems between the crew and

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

the Site-In-charge to inform the probability of risk for them as well as the
public, and they communicate without hesitation whenever it is necessary.

 After clearing, trimming and disposal of waste material, temporary protection

of slope will be done either by Shotcreting or rock netting to prevent any
loose debris and rock boulders rolling down the slope and harming the
personal working down slope.
 The excavated slope area will be covered using polythene to prevent further
moisture absorption and soil/rock slippage during the rain.
 To protect the highway from construction dust and debris , a cover and a
membrane will be employed used.
 To cover the earth affected area due to masonry wall collapse from heavy
rains a polythene cover is used in need.
 Installation of horizontal drains may be considered a prior, before Anchor
installation, if the soil retained is sandy (hence pervious) and there is
likelihood of large seepage from the higher ground, after site investigation.


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4 Site Photos

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