Soil Nailing

This technique reinforces in-situ soils for temporary or permanent excavation support.

Soil nailing is a slope stabilisation and ground reinforcement technique that strengthens in-situ soils for temporary or permanent excavation support. It provides a cost-effective solution for improving slope stability, retaining earth, and supporting excavation faces.

Common applications include infrastructure widening (such as motorway and railway embankments), re-profiling sloping sites, and retaining wall remediation. Constructed from the top down, the process involves drilling near-horizontal holes into the exposed soil face in 1–2 metre stages. Tension-resisting steel bars are then inserted and grouted into place to create a reinforced, stable structure.

Our soil nailing projects span diverse sectors across the UK, including:

• Commercial – Reinforcing retaining walls in commercial construction.
• Infrastructure – Protecting excavations near highways and railways.
• Energy – Stabilising slopes near wind and solar farms.
• Road Construction – Reinforcing natural or cut slopes at the roadside.

Soil nails are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and can be installed using compact rigs, making them ideal for confined or difficult-access sites. This method offers fast installation with minimal disturbance to the surrounding ground, providing a cost-effective solution for both temporary and permanent works.

Key benefits include:

• Minimal vibration and low noise levels
• Reduced environmental impact compared to other retention methods
• Adaptability to complex ground or slope geometries
• Shorter construction times and reduced need for temporary platforms
• Proven performance in long-term slope stability applications

Installing soil nails requires specialised machinery and equipment to ensure precision, safety and efficiency. We have access to the largest fleet of rigs and machinery in Europe and our state-of-the-art fleet includes:

• Long-reach excavators and specialised attachments – used for excavating and carrying soil
• Drilling rigs – create holes in the soil where the soil nails are to be inserted
• Soil nailing machines – used for the installation of soil nails
• Shotcrete equipment – applies the shotcrete facing after the soil nails are in place

As part of our sustainability programme at Aarsleff, we take action to minimise our environmental impact during our operations. Instead of traditional materials, we work with environmentally conscious clients to prioritise the use of sustainable materials and reuse waste materials on-site where possible. We continually monitor and adapt our soil nailing techniques and machinery, ensuring our quality of work remains uncompromised.

Aarsleff provides reliable, efficient, and sustainable soil nailing solutions for projects nationwide.

If you’re planning a project requiring slope stabilisation or ground reinforcement, contact our team today to discuss your requirements or request a bespoke quotation.