Portal Breakthroughs & Tunnel Rehabilitation

GeoStabilization International® is a top-level provider of portal and tunnel breakthroughs and ground support rehabilitation services. Through a combination of advanced techniques and equipment – such as rock scaling, rockfall barriers, and limited-access rock drills – the company’s skilled crews can effectively safeguard critical access points and infrastructure from ground instabilities and rockfall hazards.

Types of Rockfall Control Methods

Rockfall mitigation companies use various rockfall control methods on sites with a high risk of slope failure, including:

• Fences and barriers. Rockfall fences and barriers are usually made of steel, shotcrete, or other rigid materials that absorb the impact of loose rock mass and divert it away from the base of the slope.
• Draped mesh systems. By anchoring flexible mesh to the ground and draping it over the slope surface, rockfall mitigation companies not only contain falling rocks but also prevent them from bouncing onto the road lanes or other infrastructure below.
• Hybrid or attenuator systems. To make a hybrid or attenuator barrier, rockfall mitigation companies hang a drape from a barrier and remove the bottom rope. These systems are suitable for areas with long slope run-out where falling rocks would bounce over conventional barriers.

How GeoStabilization International® Creates Effective Rock Barrier Systems

To start, GeoStabilization’s crews conduct a thorough slope analysis. This includes energy modeling and rockfall trajectory assessments. This gives them an insight into the site’s potential geohazards and the rockfall control system that would be appropriate in the given circumstances.

Next, GeoStabilization’s engineers and rock remediation technicians (RRTs) use specialized equipment and the company’s purpose-built, limited-access rock drills to install the rock barrier system.

In some cases, rock scaling may be necessary before the installation of the system. Rock scaling is the process of removing loose or potentially unstable rock mass and sometimes entire slope sections to improve the ground’s stability. GeoStabilization provides scaling services combined with blasting capabilities, including:

• Manual scaling (using equipment such as scaling bars, airbags, and hydraulic jacks)
• Mechanical scaling
• Remote scaling

To maintain the effectiveness of the installed rock barrier, regular maintenance and inspections are necessary.

Portal Breakthroughs and Tunnel Rehabilitation

Portal and tunnel breakthroughs can pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure, making effective slope stabilization efforts essential. Investing in geohazard mitigation services as early as possible reduces the chances of costly and disruptive breakthroughs. Slope stabilization also provides safe long-term access to underground developments and minimizes ground support requirements for future portal access.

GeoStabilization International® helps clients safeguard critical access points in portals and tunnels against rockfall and slope instabilities. The company utilizes its teams of highly skilled engineers and RRTs and the largest fleet of limited-access rock drills to provide unrivaled ground support rehabilitation services.

With more than 5,500 successful projects to date, GeoStabilization International® is one of the world’s top rockfall mitigation companies, serving clients across the U.S., Canada, and Australasia. To learn more about the company’s rockfall mitigation services or request assistance with your project, you can reach the GeoStabilization at 855-579-0536.