Rock and soil slope protection using a high stiffness geocomposite mesh system

Abstract

One of the most common solutions adopted for the protection of vulnerable soil and rock slopes is wire mesh, retained by a system of anchors and ropes. Different types of meshes are available from a number of manufacturers around the world. Hexagonal 'Double Twist' type meshes have been used very successfully in civil and geotechnical engineering projects for over 60 years but in the last 10 years many alternative meshes have been brought into the market place. This can sometimes leave designers and contractors struggling to choose the most suitable mesh for their project or having to install two different meshes together in order to take advantage of specific desirable benefits, unique to each. Recently a revolutionary geocomposite mesh Steelgrid HR, has been developed, which is able to offer a range of advantageous mechanical and practical benefits combined with the convenience of a single mesh. Steelgrid HR is supplied as a complete 'mesh kit' or 'system' with tried and tested installation fittings to enable the contractor, designer and client to benefit from the unique capabilities of the mesh while overcoming any conceptual ambiguity regarding system implementation. The system is available with two different corrosion protection specifications to suit a variety of different project sites from near marine environments to high alpine continental areas. Steelgrid HR has been subjected to rigorous testing conducted by a number of highly respected independent test institutions; including testing to the new UNI 11347 standard: Tests on Meshes for Slope Coverage. This testing has allowed the Steelgrid HR system to gain both the European Technical Approval (ETA) and the CE mark. The test data has been incorporated into the unique and recently revised MacRO software package that enables engineering professionals to calculate the performance of Steelgrid HR under a variety of slope stability conditions. This paper will review existing meshes and full scale testing performed to date, provide design and installation guidance, examine the tests performed on Steelgrid HR mesh and mesh kit components and will also look into the details of the revised limit states approach version of the MacRO software package.