Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Reinforcement
2016
North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Transport Scotland
Ferrovial Lagan JV
Amey/RPS
M8/M74 Improvement Scheme
Paragrid geogrid placed in layers as designed by Amey/RPS
GTM and Paragrid. The structure is getting higher
GTM and ParaGrid. The structure is getting higher
The North Calder bridge beam is lifted into place
Finished 15 metre high slope reinforcement
Two years on and vegetation has grown and the solution is a success.
Problem
The Scottish Government’s new initiative is to complete the Motorway Network in Central Scotland including the M8, M73 and M74 which are a Road Improvement Scheme to fill in the missing link between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The works needed would include a new 7-mile stretch of the M8 which would replace the A8 through North Lanarkshire.
Solution
The procurement process was tendered and the successful bidder, Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), was a consortium with a construction joint venture of Ferrovial Agroman and Lagan. Maccaferri was awarded the contract by the joint venture for all reinforcing systems required for the project. The M8, M73, and M74 motorway improvements were one of the first major road projects in Scotland to pioneer the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the cutting-edge 3D technology revolutionising civil engineering.
A commitment to social responsibility and the environment saw 95% of all waste produced on-site recycling. Works impact was minimised with an effective communications strategy and community engagement programme, including supporting local charities, social and educational programmes and provision of significant local training, and short and long-term employment opportunities.
Maccaferri was awarded the supply contract for the materials required for several major reinforced soil slopes and slope stabilisation systems. Maccaferri provided full technical support to the JVs engineer, Amey Edinburgh.
The construction included over 5,000m2 reinforced soil slopes up to 15 metres high, in which Green Terramesh® and Paragrid were used. The Green Terramesh® (GTM) System combines BBA-certified 120-year design life double twist steel mesh and a rapid-to-install fascia. The fascia includes biodegradable matting which supports the vegetation growth giving the green finish and at a slope angle of 70 degrees.
Maccaferri BBA Paragrid was used in conjunction with the Green Terramesh® system as geogrid reinforcement. The works also included the upgrading and widening of the M73 and M74 connections together with the construction of a new underpass at the Raith Interchange – here Macmat®R was installed in combination with soil nailing.