River embankment strengthening by non-metallic nails: overview on a permanent soil nailing for flood protection

Abstract

River embankments, levees, and coastal dikes are often subject to important remediation and ground improvement works. Such actions will become increasingly important in the future: we have to consider the strategic position of such structures along urban shorelines and waterways together with the ongoing sea-level rising process. In this paper, the application of a permanent soil nailing on a long channel levee in Vianen (The Netherlands) is reported. The project was executed by a new developed but solid ground support method design, based on non-metallic glass fibre-reinforced polymer soil nails. It was featured, in addition, by other important challenges: a limited installation space setting, a vibration-free drilling method with strong noise reduction. Quick and easy installation, bending potential, materials non-degradable on long term, and potential of easy future cuts/new drillings are all keystones of the project.