Suspended Drapery
2010
Upper Knockando, Scotland
Fred Olsen Renewables
CAN Scotland
Natural Power
Paul’s Hill Windfarm
Completed Installation – HEA and DT Mesh
Detail looking along cutting
Narrow access way
Problem
The only main access route into the Paul’s Hill Windfarm site passes through a narrow rock cutting, formed into the rolling Aberdeenshire landscape. The steep cutting sides posed a constant danger to vehicular traffic below and were selected for remedial action.
Solution
The scheme designer established general rock characteristics at the site and then demarked certain areas where the slope was deemed to be the greatest risk of failure. In these areas, the sliding and toppling modes of failure, combined with the relatively large block size, necessitated a very high-strength product with high dynamic durability. The remedial actions commenced with the protection of the entirety of the slope using Maccaferri PVC-coated rockfall netting. The highest risk areas were then protected using Maccaferri’s high-strength HEA panels, installed over the rockfall netting. At certain areas along the slopes, the rocks gave way to boulder-laden Glacial Till and in these areas, the consultant was keen to ensure re-establishment of the natural vegetation. To this end, Maccaferri MacMat® R was used, in place of the rockfall netting, where the cut slopes were formed in Till.