Landslide Stabilization Using Soil Nail and Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls: Case Study

Abstract

A landslide stabilization system using tiered soil nail walls and a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall was instrumented and monitored to evaluate overall performance and facilitate comparisons between design assumptions and field observations. This project demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing soil nail walls for stabilization of active landslides, extending the application of soil nailing beyond its traditional scope of stabilization of cutslopes or for potentially unstable slopes. Axial forces in soil nails inferred from strain gauge measurements demonstrate that design methods based on current recommendations are adequate for design of soil nail walls used for slope stabilization. Site conditions, design aspects, and construction of the soil nail and MSE walls are described. Performance based on field observations of ground movements and load transfer in soil nails is described and discussed. Recommendations for applying soil nail walls to slope stabilization are presented.