WALTHAM HIGH SCHOOL

Based on the rock wall’s height, geotechnical characteristics and the proximity of it to the school, a pinned drapery solution was the recommended method to address the hazard. The design accounted for more than 100,000 sq. ft. of Maccaferri’s high strength composite mesh: SteelGrid HR30P used in combination with around 2000 anchors. The SteelGrid HR30P product consists of a high strength PVC coated composite cable mesh with high tensile cables longitudinally interwoven into a double twisted steel wire mesh every 30 cm. These cables are inserted into the mesh during fabrication, reducing manufacturing costs and improve the performance of the mesh. The interwoven cables provides the mesh with extra strength and better distribution of load from the anchors points. The PVC coating provides the mesh with the ability to blend with the rock underneath creating a aesthetic pleasing solution. For this particular project, a black color for of the coating was the architect’s choice to blend the solution with the igneous rock background.  Maccaferri worked closely with Maine Drilling & Blasting to increase the efficiency on the installation of the proposed solution. This project was conducted in many phases and ended on fall of 2022,and both the client and architect are pleased with the result. The black coloring of the mesh blends it perfectly with the background reducing its visual impact.