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STABILIZING STEEP SLOPES USING STRATUM’S EXPERTISE ON NPA GEOCELL REINFORCEMENT
NPA Geocell stabilization for Slope Protection
For a contractor, there is nothing worse than reconstructing a hill to enhance its stability/integrity, only to discover that the solution didn’t perform as expected. This is where the precision of engineering becomes crucial. Even for experienced engineers, designing vegetated steep slopes often presents unique challenges, requiring a delicate balance of engineering and environmental considerations to ensure long-term stability.
The Importance of Vegetative Steep Slopes
From an ecological perspective having a slope vegetated is important. It is crucial to hold topsoil in place for plants to grow along a slope. Especially on steep slopes, topsoil has a natural tendency to slide downward, with conditions such as rain and snow melt significantly increasing this risk. This not only impedes the goal of contractors, but can lead to further remediation work, can damage expensive infrastructure at the base of the hill, and can raise safety concerns.
Geosynthetic Slope Solutions
Geosynthetic products such as NPA geocells provide a simple approach to holding vegetated soil with its pocket geometry. However, geocells also require support on slopes. Usually, they are suspended using tendons connected at the top with some reaction weight.
For this project, there was no option to suspend the geocells using tendons. Additionally, due to the buried electric lines of the LRT tunnel, there were limited zones of permitted anchoring. Thus, the strength of the NPA geocells was required to distribute the load over a wider area where anchoring was permitted. The requisite strength within the pockets prevented deformation and failure of the system.
Successful Slope Stabilization Project
The following case study explores how Stratum Logics successfully engineered a stabilization solution for protecting the steep, erosion prone slope in question using geocell technology. It transformed the vulnerable, eroding hillside into a stable and resilient bed for vegetative growth – a green solution.
Project Challenges
- Steep Terrain: The slope featured very steep inclines which presented significant soil retention and erosion challenges
- Environmental factors:
- Providing the green slope required as per the environmental standards
- Reducing failure and risks of load from vegetation growth and snow accumulation
- Restricting erosion and washouts
- Limited Anchoring Points: There was limited area for anchoring hooks due to the presence of electrical conduits
Area of Remediation- Grierson Hill
Engineered NPA Geocell Solution
To address these challenges, Stratum Logics deployed NPA Geocells, designed to reinforce and stabilize the soil for vegetative growth.
- Engineering Design: The team designed an NPA geocell system based on slope geometry and load requirements to facilitate the desired outcome. NPA geocells could provide the necessary capacity for holding the topsoil in place
- Installation Process: The NPA geocells were stretched, laid over and anchored at strategic places along the slope surface. The pockets were subsequently filled with topsoil material to facilitate vegetative growth. This created a flexible yet resilient cellular confinement system that enhanced soil strength and stability
Project Outcomes
- Surface Stability and Erosion Control: The NPA geocell system effectively distributed topsoil with vegetation loads and confined the infill material, resulting in the development of the green slope
- Environmental Benefits: The solution promoted green construction
- Long-term Performance: The NPA geocells used provided key UV resistance, minimized potential long-term deformation and ensured lasting stability and long-term performance
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates Stratum Logics’ expertise in applying innovative solutions to solve vegetated steep slope challenges. The successful implementation of this NPA geocell application not only addressed the immediate concerns on surficial soil stability but also provided a sustainable and economical solution for long-term resilience.
About Stratum Logics
Stratum Logics is a civil engineering design firm providing advanced engineering design solutions that address complex geotechnical challenges. As a trusted and reliable partner to many key construction firms since 2012, Stratum delivers sustainable and cost-effective strategies for infrastructure projects worldwide. Their expertise spans soil stabilization, erosion control, and geosynthetic applications—delivering innovative solutions tailored to unique project demands.
Do you have a slope or other infrastructure challenge that requires a unique engineering solution? Get in touch with Stratum today at 1.877.683.8459 or [email protected]
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