Wilnecote Embankment Stabilisation

Requirement

Forterra engaged Anchor Systems (International) Ltd to address slope instability and reprofiling requirements at their Tamworth, Staffordshire site, as part of a £27 million investment to modernise the facility. The upgrade scheme included the installation of a box feeder adjacent to an existing bund, spanning approximately 150m, which had experienced historical slope instability.

Solution

To address the slope instability and prevent further erosion, Key GS were commissioned by Forterra to undertake slope stabilisation/remediation design for the eastern slope of the bund. The global stability analysis carried out by Key GS recommended the installation of either an AS-30 or AS-50 (subject to site validation test) Vulcan Earth Anchor System at 1.5m centres across the slope face section to a minimum depth of 4m. Anchors were to be installed at a 20° angle from the horizontal and achieve a minimum hold capacity of 35kN. Greenax meshing was also specified to prevent localised erosion.

The installation of the Vulcan Earth Anchor and Greenax meshing successfully stabilised the reprofiled bund, preventing any further erosion or slope instability. The use of Key GS’s recommended solution provided a cost-effective and efficient approach to meet Forterra’s modernisation and sustainability goals. The project was completed on time and within budget, proving to be a successful project.