Soil nail

Retaining wall
and shoring

A soil nail wall construction is typically completed as a process of vertical stages of cut and reinforcement. The first segment of a soil nail wall is created by cutting a five to six foot vertical face along the future wall alignment. A row of horizontal nails are drilled and grouted along the lower portion of the cut face on five to six foot centers — depending on soil conditions a smaller or greater spacing may be required. Soil nail heads are left protruding approximately one foot beyond the cut face surface. A layer of shotcrete or mesh reinforcement is applied over the nail heads and a bearing plate and nut are installed on the soil nails.

Once the first vertical section of the wall is complete, a second vertical lift may be constructed. The process may be continued over a series of steps to create walls as high as 30 feet or more.

Slope stabilization may be completed with a series of soil nails installed through the toe of the slope or landslide area, or through the upper portions of the slope if access can not be achieved. On some difficult access conditions a small excavator can be lowered onto the slope and a small bench can be cut for drill rig access. The drill rig may then be lowered onto the bench for nail installation. Concrete bearing plates, mesh, or shotcrete facing on steeper slopes may be installed at the ground surface to provide additional restraint or erosion protection.

Quick Reference

Soil nails

Tie backs

Micro piles