Transforming Terrain: Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Reinforcement in General Santos City

General Santos City, Region XII – In a strategic move to address persistent soil instability and ensure road safety, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XII has partnered with Maccaferri Philippines on critical projects involving reinforced soil walls and slope reinforcement.

 

Datal Salvan – Bagong Silang Road

 

Frequent heavy rainfall events have led to road slips exacerbated by surface runoff-induced scouring, particularly along K1682 of the Datal Salvan – Bagong Silang Road. The instability of the soil in this area has significantly contributed to road degradation, making immediate action necessary.

 

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, DPWH Region XII and Maccaferri Philippines implemented a solution featuring Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls. Spanning 40 meters in length and varying in height from 4 to 7 meters, these walls effectively prevent scouring and erosion, ensuring the road’s stability. The project utilized Maccaferri’s MacWeb, which consists of geocells produced with strips of extruded synthetic materials to form a honeycomb-like structure for erosion control by holding soil or other loose materials in place, and MacGrid WG15, a monoaxial geogrid used for reinforcement to provide the necessary strength to reinforce the filling material and the capacity to confine soil particles that lodge in the openings of the grid itself. These products provided the structural support needed to stabilize the soil and protect the roadway from future erosion. This measure ensures the safety of both locals and tourists who regularly use this route.

 

 

San Jose – T’boli Road

 

Building on the success of the Datal Salvan project, DPWH Region XII addressed similar challenges along a section of the San Jose – T’boli Road near Bagong Silang National High School. The region’s tropical rainforest climate exacerbates soil instability, posing significant risks during heavy rains. The proximity of the high school further underscored the need for immediate action.

 

To safeguard the local residents and the high school, DPWH Region XII and Maccaferri Philippines devised a sustainable solution involving the construction of a 12-meter high, 120-meter long MSE Wall with MacCell facing. This wall is designed to reduce the risk of slope failure during heavy rainfall and support road widening efforts. The project utilized Maccaferri’s MacWeb, MacGrid WG, and MacTex N 50.2, a nonwoven geotextile consisting of synthetic fibers assembled by needle punching and/or thermal processes. These materials are used for applications to mostly fulfill separation, filtration, and protection functions. This ensured the stability of the slope and the safety of the high school by providing robust protection against heavy rainfall and associated hazards.

 

These projects highlight the effective collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Highways and Maccaferri Philippines in enhancing the resilience of General Santos City’s transportation infrastructure. By integrating environmentally friendly and sustainable engineering solutions, they have significantly improved road safety and stability, ensuring continued connectivity and protection for the community. Maccaferri’s innovative products have proven essential in reinforcing soil and preventing erosion, showcasing their critical role in infrastructure development and community safety.

 

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