Soil Nails - Slope Stabilization & Excavation Support

Soil Nails are Deep Foundation elements that provide reinforcement of excavations, natural or man-made slopes and slip planes. Soil Nails are not typically post-tensioned.

Soil Nails consist of closely spaced steel bars drilled and grouted in place and can be installed either horizontally or vertically. Although the name includes the word “soil”, Soil Nails may be installed in a variety of soil types and conditions including soft or weathered rock.

Depending on placement, Soil Nails may be installed with or without surface reinforcement although the most common method of installation includes facing. Soil Nail Walls can be temporary or permanent and may be faced with reinforced concrete, shotcrete, high tensile strength wire mesh, and wood or steel lagging.

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Two construction workers apply concrete to a foundation wall at a building site. The wall is covered with a black tarp, and the ground is muddy with scattered tools and debris. The workers wear safety gear and high-visibility clothing.

Support of Excavation (SOE)

Vertical or near-vertical excavations of 3′-6′ or more require shoring of the ground adjacent to the cut. Soil nail walls are a type of excavation support system that can provide temporary or permanent support for cuts or slopes during excavation.

Shotcrete Facing

Soil Nails Walls can be faced steel reinforced shotcrete if desired. The shotcrete creates a solid surface on the wall face. Drains are installed behind the shotcrete to account for infiltration of water.

A construction site with several excavators working near a large concrete retaining wall. There is a blue crane tower, various construction materials, and forested areas in the background.

Construction workers in an orange lift secure wire netting to a rocky cliff face. The netting is fastened with metal anchors. Nearby, a roll of material is seen on the ground, with trees and utility lines in the background.

HighTensile Wire Mesh Facing

FSGC has extensive experience in the construction of Micropiles and works with licensed engineers to develop the best design for each application. With drilling capabilities from 4″ to 12″, FSGC has installed Micropiles with individual pile capacities of 20 kips to 300 kips.

Permanent Soil Nail Walls

Permanent stabilization of slopes, cuts and slip planes can be accomplished with soil nails. A soil nail installation can be designed with or without facing to lock the ground in place and prevent future movement of the soil.