PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT ROCK SLOPE STABILIZATION WASHINGTON STATE

This project employed pneumatically applied gunite reinforced with welded wire mesh anchored to the slope with spikes. Core drilling had disclosed an interbed area showing palsgonite lenses up to a few feet thick below a significant depth of moderately massive basalt with cuts up to 70 feet. This combination had a potential for substantial and possibly massive rockfall as a result of eventual weathering. Prior to the slope stabilization, a rockfall ditch was provided, and presplitting rock cuts on a slope of 1/2 to 1 was specified. Construction costs were much lower than originally estimated due to the use of spikes and nails instead of rock bolts, welded wire fabric instead of woven chain link type fence material, and a metal rod to form weep holes instead of pipes through the gunite. Observations of this project have been made periodically in the year since its completion. To date, the material seems to be serving satisfactorily.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Gietz, R H
  • Zimmerman, T V
• Publication Date: 1980-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 97-107
• Serial:
  • Highway Focus
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Costs; Ditches; Material reinforcement; Nails; Prevention; Rock excavation; Rockfalls; Rockslides; Rods; Shotcrete; Slope stability; Slopes; Soil stabilization; Spikes; Wire mesh
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction costs
• Subject Areas: Construction; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Security and Emergencies; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324549
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 12 1981 12:00AM