Soil Nailing for slope stability, Face Cleaning and walls

Soil nail walls consists of installing passive reinforcement (i.e., no post-tensioning) in existing ground
by installing closely spaced steel bars or sections (i.e., nails) and placing a front face support. Soil
nails are later grouted if they are installed in drilled holes. Ungrouted soil nails are also possible if nails
(or steel sections) are driven into the ground.
Soil nail wall construction proceeds from the top to bottom, and head plates are installed on each nail.
Shotcrete or concrete is typically applied on the excavation face to provide continuity when a soil nail
wall is constructed. For a soil nail wall the general construction procedure involves:
a) Excavate for the first nail (soil must be sufficiently self standing)
b) Install the 1st nail.
c) Construct 1st phase shotcrete on soil face (optional if shotcrete is constructed) with wire mesh or
other reinforcement if required.
d) Install soil nail head plate (with or without other attachments, Figure 2)
e) Construct 2nd phase shotcrete (depending on staging specifications).
f) Excavate to next soil nail level, and install next soil nail, shotcrete etc.
g) Repeat steps c) through f) until the final excavation level is reached.
h) Construct additional permanent facing if required.
* Drainage filters and drainage pipes are also commonly installed during construction.