Vital geotechnical design helps repair slips and slope failures
Slips and slope failures happen for various reasons—and extreme wet weather is one. Intense rainfall events within Wollondilly Shire in New South Wales triggered the Broughton Pass slope remediation project, as part of a broader suite of emergency response works. Repairs had to happen quickly, with sections of road undermined by prolonged rain that had caused rock fall from upslope sandstone cut faces and downslope washouts.
Wollondilly Shire Council engaged us to provide geotechnical design advice and management of multiple landslides along Broughton Pass in Wilton. Our team immediately managed the upslope rock falls through scaling works, while the downslope washout resulted in a traffic lane closure so the site could be assessed. Undertaking timely ground characterization and remediation of the area allowed the traffic lane to reopen without causing prolonged impact to drivers. We undertook further risk assessments to confirm no other active slope issues were present and required treatment.
For the final piece of this remediation puzzle, we provided the design and construction management of a gabion wall—a wire cage filled with loose stone—and strip footing, a concrete foundation for the guard rail to stabilize the washout area. Now, with repairs to the slopes and road, drivers can safely use Broughton Pass in all weather.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Wollondilly Shire Council
- Partners
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- Transport for NSW
- Water NSW
David Ronchi, Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Connection to the natural environment is important to grasp and understand the work I do, so I balance my time on site and in the office.
Robert De Jong, Team Leader - Geotechnical Engineering
Creating open and honest relationships with our clients leads to successful projects.
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