Soil Nailing Installation Process

Often during construction on river banks or mountains, civil engineers encounter the problem of slopes.

These slopes need to be reinforced or then can break and harm the construction. At times like this technique of Soil nailing saves the day.

This blog will discuss soil nailing and how is soil nailing done?

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What is Soil Nailing?

Soil nailing is a technique used to support the soil and make it more stable. It is used where the slopes have loose and weak soil, during excavations, and in many more places.

In Soil nail shoring, steel bars are drilled into the slope, and then covered with mesh. The soil nails and shotcrete hold the soil and provide support.

Also Read : How to make retaining soil stable with Compaction and Geogrid

Soil Nailing Technique

Let’s discuss how Soil nailing is done on natural or excavated slopes.

• First, reinforcement bars called nails are inserted at an inclination of between 10 to 20 degrees in the pre-drilled holes to support the soil.
• Then they are grouted with mortar.
• Then, shotcrete is sprayed on the excavation's face to reinforce the slope further.

Soil Nail Slope Stabilization: Types of Soil Nailing Techniques

There are various techniques used in Soil nailing.

1. Drilled and grouted soil nailing

Used for permanent stabilization of slopes. Nails are first drilled in the face of the excavation. Then shotcrete is sprayed on the face of the excavation. The nails' diameter is 100 to 200mm, with a spacing of 1.5m between the nails.

2. Driven soil nailing method

This method of Soil nailing is for the temporary stabilization of soil. The nails' diameter is between 19mm to 25mm, and the nail spacing is 1 to 1.2 m.

3. Self-drilling soil nailing method

In this Soil nailing method, hollow bars are used instead of nails. This method is faster than drilling nails and provides more corrosion resistance.

4. Jet-grouted soil nailing method

In this method, jets are used to drill holes in the soil. In this method, steel bars are used to support the soil.

This method of drilling holes provides good corrosion resistance.

5. Launched soil nail method

In this method, steel bars are inserted in the soil with the help of a compressed air mechanism. No pre-drilled holes are made. The steel bars are forced into the slope, as a result of which this method is fast but is difficult to the length of penetration.

Also Read : The Specific Gravity Test of Soil Particles

Advantages and Disadvantages of Soil Nailing

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of soil nailing.

Advantages of Soil Nailing

• Suitable for spaces with limited access, they are suitable for confined spaces.
• It has a less damaging effect on the environment.
• Installation is relatively quick and easy.
• There is a reduction in the amount of material and shoring used.
• They can be used on new constructions, temporary structures, or remodeling projects.
• There is no restriction on height.

Disadvantages of Soil Nailing

• It is not recommended to use them in areas with high water tables.
• There may be a need for very high soil nail density in soils with low shear strength.
• Not suitable for soils that are sensitive and expansive.
• There is a need for specialist contractors.
• At times there may arise a need for 3D modeling.

Conclusion

Soil nailing is indeed helpful in providing support on slopes and making construction manageable. Different methods of soil nailing are used in different circumstances. The size of the nail, the density of the nails, everything depends upon the nature of the slope and construction.