Soil Nail/Shotcrete Retaining Walls

Soil Nailing is an insitu reinforcing of the soil while it is excavated from the top down. Any array of soil nails which are passive inclusions are installed in a grid that functions to create a stable mass of soil. This mass of reinforced soil functions to retain the less stable material behind it. In the right soil conditions, soil nailing is a rapid and economical means of constructing excavations support systems and retaining walls. In many applications soil nailing can be the least disruptive way to construct a retaining wall. Soil Nailing requires an unusual amount of hand work, craftsmanship and geotechnical knowledge to construct. The typical construction sequence begins with the excavation of a shallow cut. Then, shotcrete is applied to the face of the cut and soil nails are drilled and grouted. This sequence is then repeated until subgrade is reached. Unlike soldier beam walls, soil nail walls eliminates the Need for Drilling and Installing Caissons.  Soil nailed retaining walls can be constructed with a variety of concrete facing options.