Following the collapse of a sewer which led to the sloping gardens below the properties being washed away, CAN was brought in to carry out the necessary stabilisation works.

The original design by Atkins was to soil nail the back scar of the slump and install mesh but when we started to drill, water burst from the face about 5m from where we were drilling.  The design then had to be changed and the final solution was to pile 1A fill against the face and compact to provide stabilization so we could complete our contracted works.

After clearing the slope, the final design meant that the slope was cut back to create benches, with 1A fill being placed and compacted ahead of installation of 130 cubic metres of gabion baskets.  As this work progressed further, water saturated areas were encountered on the slope along with further minor slope movements.  With this in mind, continual slope monitoring took place throughout the programme.  Scottish Water also undertook tests to ensure that there were no other leaking pipes in the area. The gabion baskets were tied back with 84 soil nails.

To move around on the slope CAN utilised rope access techniques for the personnel being supported by the excavators for earth moving and the drilling works.

Duration:       17 weeks

Client:            George Leslie Ltd

Location:        Brechin, Scotland