Soil Nailing: Best Practice Guidance

Soil nailing is a technique where either natural ground or fill material is reinforced by the insertion of slender tension-carrying elements called soil nails. A soil-nailed slope or wall usually consists of the soil nails themselves, a hard, flexible or soft facing to a slope or wall surface, and surface water and subsurface drainage systems. This already-popular technique is likely to see increased use in the near future for transport and other infrastructure projects. Based on a detailed review of published literature, consultation with industry experts and practitioners, case studies, and existing codes and standards, the book sets out best practice for soil nailing. It provides a guide for routine use of the technique for developers, infrastructure- and property-owners, designers, suppliers, contractors and maintenance managers. The design, construction, testing and maintenance of soil-nailed walls and slopes are covered, with the aim of encouraging confident, appropriate and effective use of soil nails. Appendices include worked design examples, additional information on detailed design of hard facings, typical details, case study of suitability test method, case study of the design of a widened railway cutting using soil nails with a flexible facing, and case study of the use of actively stressed soil nails and multiple anchors to retain a steep slope.