SLOPE
PROTECTION
The Geopier SRT system for slope stabilization is a
cost-efficient, environmentally friendly option
By Mark Tigchelaar, P. Eng.
Construction projects often get a bad rap in terms of en-vironmental
and social impact in the vicinity of where
they are happning. People outside the construction
field usually get a vision in their mind as soon as they
hear the work “construction” or “excavation” that brings
about visions of huge dirty truckloads of soil being removed
by dozens of trucks around the clock.
Slope stabilization can refer to means and methods by
which existing or new slopes are stabilized or steepened
beyond what the natural or placed soil can manage on
its own.
Some slope stability construction projects involve exca-vations
where the cut is not deep enough to necessitate an
TECHNICAL
expensive shoring system, but the slope is a little steeper
than what is allowed by the geotechnical engineer (or by the
slopes natural angle of repose).
Other slope stability construction projects involve the
need to construct a new embankment or slope to create
grade separations (i.e. new overpass or rail embankment)
that is on soils that are weaker and thereby the new load cre-ates
instabilities in the embankment or slope.
Still others involve existing slopes that are failing because
of poor installation or change in conditions over time.
Examples of changes in condition could be: additional sur-face
or seepage water due to climate change; erosion creating
instability; loss of vegetation; the addition of surcharge load;
IMAGES COURTESY OF GEOSOLV DESIGN/BUILD INC.
PILING CANADA 53