Whether the plan is to dig into the earth
for a mining operation, build a road or shore up existing construction
threatened by soil erosion, a drilling company may be called into to provide dewatering
services and the placement of soil nails. This common construction technique is
required to ensure ground stability in excavations.
Soil nails are part of a retention
technique that is meant to hold the earth in place to provide security and
stability for excavations. The idea is the create a wall of sorts to hold the
earth in place so other work can continue safely.
Soil nail construction involves the
creation of a top down wall. This wall involves the placement of nearly perfect
horizontal holes into the earth. Inside the holes, steel bars are generally
placed and then grouted to hold. This “nails” will then be reinforced with
shotcrete or another reinforcing material to essentially create a wall that
holds the earth in place. Dewatering
is generally required to go along with this since soil nail wall construction must
often extend below the water table to provide necessary support. Drilling
companies provide this service, as well, pumping water out of the way so
reinforcement work can go off without a hitch.
Soil nails are used to provide earth retention in a number of different
scenarios. This type of wall, for example, is often built on the sides of
highway overpasses. The technique may also be used to stop soil erosion that
threatens existing properties. In addition, it’s commonly used in mining
operations and other excavations where worker safety hinges on holding the
earth around the excavated hole in place.
When there is a need to keep the earth in
place, drilling companies have a number of techniques at their disposal. Soil
nails may be the best option in many cases because of the relative ease and
relative low expense associated with this method of earth retention.
