Soil nailing and micropiles are vital techniques for slope stabilization, used to save money and increase safety within confined and restricted spaces. At Thorcon Shotcrete and Shoring, we implement both micropiles and soil nailing for our customers seeking custom slope stabilization solutions. From our office in Littleton, Colorado, near Denver, we design each project to meet the individual needs of our clients. To this end, soil nailing and micropiles give us safe and flexible options for a variety of stabilization solutions.
Here are a few details about soil nailing and micropiles which explain how they’ve become such a useful part of modern geotechnical engineering practices.
- Soil nails can be used either for temporary purposes, such as to keep a worksite safe, or as a permanent stabilization solution.
- Soil nails are technically “tension-resisting” bars which are usually inserted into holes of around three to six feet.
- Flexible in their applications, soil nails can be installed even in restricted spaces, and they can either be inserted beneath standing structures or directly into newly constructed slopes.
- Micropiles are also known as minipiles, pin piles, root piles or needle piles, though the first two names are the most common. All of the names hint at the small size of the steel elements used.
- Micropiles are typically three to ten inches in diameter, and they are installed into deep foundation using drilling techniques.
- Like soil nails, micropiles are resistant to compression and tension and can be installed in tight spaces, such as around underground utilities.
Thorcon can install a variety of slope stabilization techniques in order to ensure the safety of the public as they travel on roadways, through tunnels, and go through life in office buildings and homes. We provide these services to our customers throughout Colorado and states in the surrounding region. Contact us today to see what Thorcon’s engineers can do for your specific stabilization project.