Highway Construction Project, Highway No. 1211
(Suandok - Dongmada)
Location
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Client
LAMPANG ROAD CONSTRUCTion center
Project type
soil nail & geomat (vegatation)
CHALLENGES & INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
CHALLENGE
Excavation and Stabilization under Confined Public Settings
Executing earthwork beneath historic religious structures while adjacent to active public roadways presents significant geotechnical and logistical challenges. The proposed slope cuts close to the Wat Phra That Chom Mok Kaeo's pavilion and chedi introduced severe risks to public safety, structural integrity, and long-term erosion control.
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Risk to Historic Structures: Proximity to the temple’s foundational elements and supporting pillars elevated concerns of collateral damage.
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Complex Geological Profile: The site required navigating varying strata, including rock cliffs, weathered rock, and unconsolidated soil sections.
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Constrained Workspace: The proximity to active public thoroughfares limited machinery access and operational maneuverability.
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Public Safety Concerns: The risk of flying debris from cliff-face drilling presented an acute danger to nearby civilians and traffic.
SOLUTION
Integrated Slope Reinforcement and Enhanced Safety Protocols
To mitigate the structural vulnerabilities and secure the hazardous working environment, the engineering team executed an extensive, multi-tier stabilization strategy. This approach combined structural reinforcement, erosion management, and stringent public safety measures.
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Geotechnical Reinforcement: Implemented Soil Nailing to anchor and stabilize the cliff face and ensure global slope integrity.
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Surface Erosion Control: Applied a Geomat system in conjunction with topsoil and Ruzi grass for immediate surface coverage.
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Deep-Root Stabilization: Utilized Vetiver grass to enhance long-term soil cohesion through its deep root network.
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Public Safety Measures: Deployed large-scale protective netting across the rock face to contain debris and secure the public right-of-way during excavation.
THE OUTCOME
Safe Slope Reinforcement Within Sensitive Historic Environs
Despite extreme operational limitations, the engineering team executed a multifaceted slope stabilization successfully. The resulting installation successfully mitigated the imminent threat of global slope failure while preserving the integrity of the historic Wat Phra That Chom Mok Kaeo structures. Finally, careful planning and the integration of Geomat and specialized vegetation prevented local surface weathering, securing the structure permanently.
3 - 6 m
Soil nail depth
90%
Slope vegetation
Zero
Safty incident
