Suspended Drapery
2009
Fife, Scotland
Shell UK Ltd
CAN Scotland
Maccaferri Ltd
Mossmorran Rockslide Protection
Installation in progress of MacMat® R & rockfall netting
Installation in progress of MacMat® R & rockfall netting
HEA panel (over RFN) securing large block on buttress
Completed installation of MacMat® R & rockfall netting
Problem
The site is a hydrocarbon processing facility and local rock slope failures were threatening electrical and hydrocarbon transport installations. The site is formed into closely interbedded (layered) and highly friable Midland Valley Carboniferous sandstones and mudstones. Weathering affecting the rock slopes has exploited the pervasive natural joint sets resulting in block failure (blocks up to 2m x 2m x 3m).
Solution
The site was de-scaled and suitable blocks were removed by specialist contractor CAN. Following the installation of crest and toe cables the rock slopes were covered by a continuous ‘curtain’ of PVC-coated rockfall netting and the soil and rock slopes were by MacMat R®. The two most vulnerable sections of rock slope (pervasively jointed and near sensitive installations) were each covered with an additional layer of high-strength HEA panels.