At a constrained pinch point adjacent to a car park, the client required a reliable retaining solution to stabilise the site boundary and prevent erosion and soil migration. The geotechnical conditions presented a significant challenge: the proposed Gabion wall was to be constructed over Made Ground, a material known for its unpredictable settlement behaviour and limited bearing capacity.

Site investigations confirmed that the subsurface conditions comprised firm, slightly gravelly clay classified as Made Ground, extending to depths of up to 5.8 metres below ground level. This material is not typically considered a suitable founding stratum for gravity-based structures such as Gabion walls, due to its variable composition and susceptibility to settlement. Moreover, the retained material behind the proposed structure was also identified as soft to firm Made Ground, increasing the likelihood of post-construction movement.

Given these conditions, it was essential that any proposed solution ensure long-term stability, control potential settlement, and maintain structural integrity under load. The design had to accommodate a maximum live load of 10 kN/m² acting on the retained slope, without placing additional load on the crest.