An Experimental and Analytical Study of Slope Stability Utilizing Flexible Facing for Soil Nail Wall

Abstract

Soil Nailing is a technique used for retaining earth using the steel elements which are basically used to retain certain excavations and also to stabilize the steep cut slopes.[1] The force acting axially on the reinforcing member is a tensile force or it can be compression in few cases. In the present research work a physical model was prepared and the stress strain behaviour was studied along with the displacement in horizontal and vertical directions. Thereafter FEM analysis was done using the Plaxis 3D software and validation of results was done. On   comparison of results, it was found that the soil nails are able to take up the tensile stresses to certain extent and are helpful in stabilizing the slope.[2]. In the present study three different facing material were compared i.eConventional Facing consisting of wire mesh and shotcrete, Bamboo facing and Jute Gunny bag Facing. As far as experimental results are concerned maximum stresses were taken up by conventional facing. In the present research as the major focus is on finding some alternative material. So as an alternate to this bamboo facing and jute gunny bag facing has been considered for study so from the results of bamboo facing it can be concluded that this facing could serve well in the field conditions when the slope is around 60 to 70 degrees.