with inclinometric instrumentation.

area Qanks 70m of the motorway.

The

Typical soil proQle is represented by two

formations: a detrital unstable upper layer
13m to 16m thick made up of sandy/silt
with gravel inclusions, cobbles and rare
boulders; the bedrock consists of a Qysch
formation, alternate marl and sandstone.

Average geotechnical parameters of the

two formations are shown in TaMe I.
The sliding surface, with a maximum
depth of 15m from ground level, develops
almost entirely along the interface of the
sandy/silt layer and the bedrock. It is
above the maximum water table level
recorded by piezometers installed at the
slip.

A design method for

reticulated micropile
structures in sliding
slopes
by R Cantoni", T Collottat, VN Ghionna f.,
PC Moretti fI

i~~ tg Iugrsmuws
e

lx

sui eeeel'@su ~ eeeresi

~ 0)1

~ ucu

eaeesm xmeelu

eelu oretc &i ~ le

BRII ler.esllzsrs 3 ee

auaN

'Item

~0

Introduction
The paper deals with a design method for
reticulated micropile structures adopted
to stabilise sliding slopes.
Most existing methods only enable the
total number of micropiles to he
determined. To overcome this limitation
the authors have set up anew method
which gives simple criteria for setting out
the spacing and number of rows of
micropQes.
It is described in detail with reference to
stabilising a slope along the Milan-Rome
motorway, in the Apennines near

According to geomorphological evidence

and stahiTity analyses, the slide may be
due to the motorway embankment
altering the slope equilibrium and causing
the remobilization of the upper portion of
an ancient landslide.

Geometrical
anti strnctt3ral characterilflcs
The chosen solution consisted (HNy l-2)
of constructing four reticulated micropile
structures, directly downhill of the
motorway, at a depth of Sm within the

bedrock.

SOI ACTIVE ANCHORS

IIIIII

IIII

eecno~s

II'l '''ll

ll Ilail
IIIIII

3$0~

RETICOLATEO~I

General information
The sliding area was identified by means
of a ground and aerial survey together

SpA-Rome

Silt:

Index propmties
liquid
Plastic
Natural water

limit:
limit:

n
tP

content:

= 39.0th
= 16.596

W, = 17.190

Consistency
index

:I,

=0.93

y= 20kN/m

Natural unit weight:

Residual angle of
shearing resistance: ps

Io 21kN/m

= 19'

Bedrock
Unconfined
conlpfeswve

strength: q=BMN/mz
Rock quality
designation

Tahle

I Average

Io 10MN/mz

RQI7= 6090 to 7096

yeotechnical

The structures are stiffened by means of

reinforced concrete connecting beams
anchored to the bedrock by 90t active
anchors at 2m centres.
The micropiles were arranged according
to an equilateral triangular array with a
500mm centre to centre spacing (see
EVSy3) inclined within 4'o vertical.

Choice of
the stabilising method

Description
of the remedial worlas

Choice of the stabilising method was

governed by:
~ Necessity not to work along the
motorway, to avoid trafQc restrictions;
~ A steep slope that did not allow access
for heavy boring machines;
~ Necessity to avoid appreciable
changes in the percolating water flow;
~ Necessity to avoid large diameter
borings on account of possible
presence of boulders in the upper
formation and of the requested
embedding in the bedrock.
Micropiles are used to obtain soil blocks
reinforced and nailed to the bedrock hy
means of steel tubes.

Engineer Studio Geoteczlico

Italiano Srl- Milan

9 Geotechnical Engineer-Studio Geotecnico
Itahano Srl- Milan
t. Associate Professor, Dept of Structural
Mechanics- University of Pavia
f'I Geotechnical Engineer-Societh
Autostrada

formation
Grain size dislrihulion
Gravel: 44th
Sand: 20th
24th
Clay: 12th

Jsarem eterne.

Florence.

'aotechnical

A- Upper

Hfy.l. Layout

of the

zvrmesiiaf stroriuL

This can be aclueved by constructmg

micropiles at close centres in appropriate
arrays, and by varying their vertical
inclination.
GROUND ENGINEERING

. MAY

1989

ORLLWG DRECTION

Another important design requirement is

to inject the micropiles at a sufficient
pressure (500kN/m'o 1000kN/m') to
improve adhesion at the interface
between the micropiles and the soil. This
is due both to horizontal compaction
caused by the injection pressure and to
the injected grout.

The assumption of monolithic action of the

different structure components (steel
reinforcement, grout, soil) is more
realistic for that part embedded within
firm soil. This is due to the higher injection
pressure adopted and to the better
characteristics of the soil with respect to
stress relaxation phenomena.

For the upper unstable layer one of the

requirements (even if not sufficient) for
the formation of a monolithic structure is to
avoid any plastic deformation of the soil
taking place between the micropiles. This
is done by verifying that the resistance by
arching effect between micropiles is
higher than the earth thrust caused by the
unstable soil.

Proposed design method

The design criteria adopted are based on
the assumption that a totally cooperating
structure is formed. Stability of the
structure is analysed with respect to the
following failure mechanisms:
a. Plastic deformation of the soQ
between adjacent micropiles
b. Sliding of the reinforced block on the
firm soil
c. Structural failure of the composite
cross section of the block

with the limit resistance developed by

IIII IIII
Hg.3. Mjcnoyjfee ylan arrangement.
Condition a. determines the spacing of the
micropilestransverselyto
the movement;
whilst conditions b. and c. establish the
total number of micropiles and the
spacing between the rows.

arching effect between two adjacent

micropiles (R,).

The evaluation of R, has been done using

the method proposed by Ito and Matsui
(1975 1977 )
This is based on the theory of metal
extrusion through dies and considers the
equilibrium conditions of the soil arch
EBB'E'El{f.4) placed just behind the
micr opiles.

Evaluation of landslide thrust

The thrust of the upper sliding wedge
against the reticulated structure (S ) has
been determined referring to seismic
conditions as a result of a pseudostatic
analysis based on Janbu's simplified
method (1973)'.A value of S = 1850kN/m
has been obtained; this thrust has been
assumed to vary linearly with depth.
The resistance offered by the lower soil
has been evaluated following the same
method resulting in a value S = 250kN/m;
to be conservative this value has been
neglected.

Stability with respect to

plastic deformation of the soil
between adjacent micropiles
Stability related to plastic deformation of
soil around the micropiles has been
verified by comparing the horizontal
thrust exerted by the sliding mass of the
soil against the reticulated structure (S )

H{f.4.Sojf ylastfc defonnatjon between

mjcroyQee pto
Ma jsnj, l9ZS).

The soil is considered in limit conditions

respect to failure and sliding. The
method assumes the validity of MohrCoulomb's failure criterion and the
existence of a downhill resistance against
plane EE'qual to the active thrust.
Furthermore the piles are considered
rigid.
Equilibrium conditions of the arch
the limit resistance R, of the front
row of the structure to be expressed as:
with

EBB'E'llow

R,=
2

P =

)'n t

Di

Kp

Di

Di

(kp Va tang+ Kp I)

D2

tang tan

42

where, also referring to Fjg. 4:

H{r.2. Tpyfcaj sec{jan.

GROUND ENGINEERING

MAY

1989

Dz

e = Angle of shearing resistance of the

Fig. $, the following value of R, and S,

soil inside to the arch EBB'E': In this

case s has been assumed equal to the
residual value e,
K = Passive earth pressure coefficient
Di Centre to centre spacing between
micropiles

D3 Net distance between adjacent

micropiles
L = Thickness of the unstable layer.

were obtained:
R, = 2250kN/m
and:

S, = R, cos a = 2040kN/m

F*z =

2370

= 1.28

1850

Shding stability

of the reticulated structure

The analysis has been carried out

comparing the horizontal thrust (s ) on the
structure with the horizontal component of
the sliding resistance of the block (sg (see
also Lizzi, 1977 ).
In such conditions the forces acting on the
structure are the following (Fig. $):

R, = Maximum

earth thrust which can be

resisted by the reticulated structure

= Sjcosa

Rf,a

NAXNIUM

LOAD OF ANCHORS

EARTH PRESSURE WHICH CAN BE RESISTED

BY THE RETICULATED STRUCTURE

ALLOWABLE SHEAR RESISTANCE OF MICRO. PILES

SOIL REACTION ALONG SLIDING SURFACE (REFERRED TO

THE WIDTH OF THE RETICULATED STRUCTURE)
W

WEIGHT OF RETICULATED STRUCTURE

Fig.$. $dding (sheeny) stability of the

reticulated structure.

P, = Reduction factor to take

According to De Beer and Carpentier

(1977)4the method gives acceptable
results for angles of shearing resistance
lower than 20 and centre to centre
spacing of three to five times the diameter
of the piles, which was the case of the
designed structure.

R( = Anchors

WORKING

RI

The calculations give values of R,

equal to 2370kN/m which
corresponds to a partial safety factor

F"~:

R,

reaction

= Allowable shearing resistance of

into account
bending effects in the reinforcement,
(Mascardi, 1979 )

/)0

"(/Ew)E,

E, = Young's modulus of the

firm soil
improved by cement grout
E( = Threshold Young's modulus
discriminating shearing from
bending failure of the micropile. For
the considered micropile E( can be
assumed equal to 1.57x 10rkN/m2
which is close to the cement grout
modulus (Ev)
~ = allowable shear strength of the
steel reinforcement
A( = steel reinforcement section area

The calculations give the following values:

/I, = 0.473
r(,= 136kN
R(, = 1900kN/m
Solving the polygon of forces shown in

The stability of the structure with respect

to sliding is therefore secured with a
margin of safety F;, = 2040/1850 = 1.10.

Structural analysis of the composite

cross section of the block
The analysis has been carried out
assuming that the reticulated structure
behaves as a monolithic body.
The structure has been assumed to act as a
flexible retaining wall of flexural rigidity
(E~ x J~) having:
a. The upper part loaded by a given
triangular pressure distribution
corresponding to S and to the anchors
reaction R);
b. The lower part embedded in an elastic
medium having an horizontal reaction
modulus E, constant with depth. A value
of E, = 500MN/m~ has been assumed.

The bending moments and shear forces

distribution with depth can be evaluated
using one of the methods for elastic
analysis available in the literature.
In this case the method proposed by

Matlock and Reese ( 1960)'as been used,

obtaining the following maximum bending
moment
= 3700 kNm/m
M
at an approximate depth of lm below the
sliding surface.

The maximum normal stresses in each

component of the composite section can
now be determined using a procedure

micropile steel reinforcements

R = Soil reaction along sliding surface
E

The allowable shearing resistance of the

grout along the sliding surface has been
assumed equal to that of the soil.
The allowable shearing resistance of
micropiles reinforcement Ria has been
evaluated by means of the following
expression:
Rta

n r(a

D=200mnl
0 4 =00.9mm

+ 4000-

(14)

S 1000(4.6

~1000~
0

R OF MICRO-PILES/ml

10
12
I~
SLEXNG LASER TIECKNESS L (m)

NUMBER OF ROWS

where:
n

= Number of micropiles per metre

r@ Allowable shear

resistance of a

micropile calculated as:

ru )|I r

Hp.8. Influence of the spacing of microyiles, number of rows and slidiug layer
thickness on lt, and M values.
GROUND

ENGINEERING

. MAY

1989

45

based on the theory of the elastic

transformed partially reactive sections.

arrays and well differentiated vertical

inclinations.

For the considered case the analysis gave

the following maximum values of normal
stress:
steel reinforcement: tr, = 140 MN/ms
cement grout: tro = 10 MN/m'
treated soil: a, = 500kN/ms
which are at the limit of the allowable
values in spite of the close spaced pattern
and the large number of micropiles used.

The method analyses the stability of the

structure with respect to three possible
failure mechanisms, evaluating the
relevant partial safety factors which have
to be added to the main safety factor
considered in the detentunation of the
landslide thrust.

The results obtained show that, in spite of

the closely spaced array and the large
number of micropiles used, the stresses in
the components of the structures are close
to the allowable values.

Conclusions
A design method for reticulated structures
of micropiles has been reported showing
an application to a landslide problem
along the Milan-Rome motorway, in the
Apennines near Florence.

InQuence of different spacings of

micropiles, numbers of rows and sliding
layer thicknesses is demonstrated in
Fly. (t; where R, is the limit resistance
against plastic deformation around
micropiles, M, is the allowable bending
moment evaluated with the theory of the
elastic transformed partially reactive
section.

The method is based on the assumption

that the structure behaves as a composite

block. This assumption can be considered

valid for structures built with closely
spaced micropiles having appropriate

ihi
)Igf Ig
ggfA

i
~,Qg'
'

<

fN

C.F.A. PILING
TARACOR

D:

Recorder of the drilling

and concreting parameters for
continuous flight auger piles.
The display unit allows
the operator to know the
instantaneous shape of the pile.
Automatic driving of the lifting.

References
1.Janbu N(1973), 'Shpe stabiTity computations'.
Embankment Dam Engineerin EcL Wiley a Sons.
3.Ito T, Matsui T (1978), 'Methods to stabilise lateral
force acdng on stabiTising piles'. Soil and Foundations
Vol 18No4.
3.Ito T, Matsui T (1977), The effects of piles in a row
on the shpe stahiTity'- Proc. IX ICSMFE- Tokyo.

4. De Beer E, Carpentier R (1977),'scussion on

methods to estimate lateral force acdng on stabiTising
piles.'Sail and Foundations, Vol 17No 1.
8. Llsti F (1978),'ticulated root piles to correct

IandsMes'SCE Convention and Exposition

Chicago.

8. MascatC C(1970),'B comportamento dei icropali

sottoposti a sforso assiale, momento Setuente e
taglio'. Verlag Leeman-Zurick
7. Madock H, Reuse LC (1960), Oenerassed solutions
for laterally haded piles'.Journal ofSoil Mechanics
and Foundation Division. ASCE SM8.

alt
C.F.A. PILING
DRILLING
~ G ROUTING

DRILLING

G ROUTING

PL CARD:

PV CIMENT:

Graphic and digital recorder of

the drilling parameters, suitable
to any type of drilling machine:
exploration drilling,
site investigation.

Graphic and numeric recorder

of the pressure, flow rate
and volume of the grout.
Automatic driving of the pumps.

JEAN LUTZ
S.A.
& 59.06.34.22 -

2, rue du Forbeth - 64110 J URAN /ON (France)

Telex 571 063 F Tf~lf~fax 59.06.15.99

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPARES AVAILABLE IN U.K.

GROUND ENGINEERING

. MAY

1989

47