Transmission Tower Stabilization With Soil Nail Wall

Landslides are always serious concerns, but a landslide near a transmission tower or power station can lead to devastating consequences for the critical infrastructure. Prompt, effective landslide mitigation is vital in these cases to avoid extensive damage and prevent local grid collapse.

Transmission Tower Stabilization: Case Report

A resident reported a landslide to a major power-producing company. The landslide area included a transmission tower supporting an electrical service of 765kV from a nearby power plant. The tower began to tilt, and the overhead power line was in danger of collapsing.

GeoStabilization International® mobilized in response to the electrical company’s call. The task included emergency slope stabilization to prevent the transmission tower from falling. Our staff arrived on the landslide site within 24 hours of the first call, and a crew began remediation work within 48 hours.

Emergency Slope Stabilization with Soil Nail Wall Technology

To stabilize the slope and secure the transmission tower, GeoStabilization’s staff constructed a system that consisted of:

• A 12-foot soil nail wall complete with a shotcrete-treated surface downslope from the tower
• A system of micropile and grade beams all around the foundation to prevent further movement
• High-tension mesh and soil nails in areas adjacent to the tower to lessen shallow surface failures in the company’s right-of-way territory

A site inspection by GeoStabilization International® revealed that a natural spring and its resulting groundwater pooling were the cause of the landslide. GeoStabilization’s crew drilled over 100 horizontal drains throughout the site to prevent further water accumulation damage.

To build the stabilization system, the on-site crew used:

• More than 28,000 linear feet of micropiles and soil nails
• 3,500 square feet of shotcrete surface treatment
• More than 54,000 square feet of high-tensile steel mesh

Geohazard Prevention for Power Infrastructure

Power companies need fast, proactive geohazard prevention and mitigation. Quick action can help avoid damage to generating stations, power transmission towers, utility poles, high-voltage transmission lines, and ground wires. Depending on the site’s location and geotechnical aspects, GeoStabilization may supply geohazard solutions like:

• Foundation repair for communication towers and wind turbines
• Landslide stabilization for critical access roads
• Soil nail wall installation to stabilize foundations of transmission towers, buildings, and other structures
• Mitigating rockfall hazards by installing drapes, pinned mesh systems, and rockfall barriers to protect staff and infrastructure
• Temporary shoring for the installation of underground utility cables

GeoStabilization International® supports private and public power system owners, operators, consultants, and contractors. GeoStabilization mitigates emergency geohazards with quick crew mobilization, state-of-the-art equipment, and effective customized solutions for every hazard.

GeoStabilization’s services go beyond emergency event response. GeoStabilization International® recommends incorporating geohazard mitigation strategies into all power projects. GeoStabilization International® helps prevent power infrastructure disruptions by protecting power generation facilities, solar farms, and wind turbines from unstable ground conditions, rockfalls, and other geohazards.

GeoStabilization offers:

• Fast, no-obligation site assessment
• 24-hour emergency response
• Expert engineering staff and skilled crews
• Uncompromising safety standards
• Extended warranties

GeoStabilization: Number One Energy Geohazard Mitigation Experts

When a landslide threatens a transmission tower or another power structure, GeoStabilization International® provides innovative technologies, fast action, and comprehensive solutions. Call GeoStabilization at 855-579-0536 for a 24/7 response to geohazard emergencies across the U.S. and Canada.