ASPECTS OF HIGHWAY ROCK ENGINEERING IN THE UK

This paper is concerned mainly with aspects of highway rock engineering, relating to excavation and slope stability. It considers the evolution of successful design and construction techniques in the UK. Effective rock engineering techniques have now been developed for designing rock slopes in harmony with the geotechnical environment, and applying the power of high explosives without damaging the design slope. The explosive techniques of presplit blasting and fragmentation blasting are described. The Optimised Design approach is a direct result of studies and trials conducted on trunk road projects in Scotland. It aims to decrease whole life costs, over the whole design life of up to 120 years, by increasing stability and reducing expensive repair work and maintenance. It recognises a rock face as an engineered structure. The present approach is to design to minimise instability, using principles of removal, strengthening, support and containment. Environmental impact and types of contract are issues of increasing importance.

• Corporate Authors:

  TRL

  Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride
  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom  RG40 3GA
• Authors:
  • MATHESON, G
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Drilling; Excavation; Excavations; Improvements; Presplitting; Road construction; Rock mechanics; Slope stability
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 5188: Blasting; 8525: Conference; 3655: Construction; 3871: Drilling; 5155: Excavation (process); 4053: Geology; 9108: Improvement; 3665: Road construction; 4154: Rock; 5757: Rock mechanics; 5783: Slope stability; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00682479
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 17 1995 12:00AM