Designer’s Handbook

Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC

Version 2.2 June 2014

 Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Maccaferri MacRO Systems Meshes

3. Installation Guidelines – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC

4. Maintenance Information

5. Product Technical Testing and Certification

6. Technical Design Software

7. Corrosion Protection Data

8. Associated Products

9. Closing Information

Appendix

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 1) Introduction

Important notes regarding mesh installation

This document gives technical specification data and installation recommendations for the
Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC range of high strength mesh products.

It must be noted that this document is NOT a design document and is provided only for
the information of engineering designers, installers and installation supervisors. Any
recommendations provided in this document are provided for the purposes of information
only, they are generalized and will not apply to some sites and may not be relevant under all
geotechnical / geological conditions.

The information provided in this document should be used by designers and installers to
help them to create a site/project-specific installation method statement that is suitable and
correct for their site. The site-specific installation method statement (developed by the
designer) should be checked and approved for use by suitably experienced and qualified
personnel BEFRORE works commence.

It must be noted that installation can be a hazardous process involving machinery,

complicated processes, working at height and potentially dangerous substances. Installation
should only be undertaken by suitably experienced and qualified persons using all
appropriate personal protective equipment and the correct tools and machinery to the
approval of the project engineer and in accordance with any prevailing local or national laws
or standards/codes of practice.

The connection specifications in this document are based Maccaferri best practice guidance
which is developed from extensive on site experience but also comprehensive laboratory
testing. The connections shown and detailed in this manual are based on the use of one
type of rope grip and other connections accessories. It should be noted that the
client/contactor may choose to use other types of rope grips or rope connection devices. It
should be noted however that while both Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC have been tested using
different types of connection it is strongly recommended that Steelgrid HR-PVC is only
connected using the types of grip shown in this manual (or ones that exceed the relevant
specification of those shown).

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 2) Maccaferri MacRO Systems Meshes

The Maccaferri range of high strength mesh systems encompasses a group of high durability
products with a range of strengths and corrosion protection options.

All Maccaferri high strength mesh

systems are designed to work, in
conjunction with high strength
anchorages, to increase the stability
of the unstable surficial layer of a
rock (or soil) slope.

Maccaferri mesh systems are

available in strengths exceeding
300kN/m-1 and are designed to
increase stability of and retain
material arising from surficial failures
in rock (and soil) slopes. For larger or global stability issues, Maccaferri offers a range of
other solutions. Please contact your local Maccaferri office to discuss these solutions.

Maccaferri mesh systems are designed and

tested to the highest standards to ensure they
offer the best performance whilst remaining
quick and simple to install. This provides both
Client and Designer an optimal balance of
value engineering.

The corrosion protection specification can be

selected to suit site specific factors such as
geography, proximity to the coast,
geochemical conditions and Client
requirements such as design life and the
chosen maintenance intervals.
Comprehensive technical advice is available
to support projects at all stages.

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 The MacRO system range of mesh products has been developed to offer a broad range of
performance characteristics, in order that clients can select a solution appropriate to their
specific needs. Clients and designers do not have to select an over-specified product from a
limited, ‘single technology’ product range:

1. DT (Double Twist) Mesh & MacmatR up to 60kNm-1

3. Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC up to 184kNm-1

4. HEA Panels (8mm / 10mm / 12mm) up to 240kNm-1

5. Ring Nets (4v or 6v configuration) up to 300kNm-1

DT Mesh

Produced by Maccaferri
for over 130 years,
double twist mesh is the
most established
technical rockfall
protection solution in the
world. Hexagonal woven
mesh is supplied as rolls
(both width and length
selected by customer)
for ease and economy of
use.

Unlike single twist (‘chain link’) mesh the construction of DT mesh inhibits the propagation of
tears or holes making it an extremely durable and easy to use product. Mesh is most
commonly used in the form of a protective curtain/drapery. The mesh is suspended from and
restrained by steel wire ropes and anchors, with adjacent rolls connected into a continuous
curtain using high strength C-rings (applied by mechanical or pneumatic tools).

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 Steelgrid HR

Steelgrid HR is a high strength, high stiffness geocomposite combining the versatility and
practical benefits of double twist mesh with the excellent stiffness and mechanical durability
of high tensile steel cables.

Maccaferri Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC offer a mechanically superior method of coupling of the
loads imposed on a drapery installation, to the crest line anchor system. Certain types of un-
reinforced drapery (especially some types of single twist or ‘chain link’ type meshes) can
exhibit considerable heterogeneous deformation during loading from the accumulation of
fallen material between the mesh and the slope and due to other factors such as self-weight
and ice accumulation etc.

The diagram above illustrates the deformation resulting from loads on a conventional system
and indirect connection between loads and anchorages in “top-rope drapery” installations.

Using the correct installation methods Maccaferri Steelgrid HR allows high loads to be
supported by a drapery system with less deformation of the mesh panels and lower loads on
the crest line ropes due to the direct connection of the load supporting integrally woven steel
ropes to the crest line anchorages.

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 Steelgrid HR takes ‘tensile
strength’ and ‘mesh system
stiffness’ to new levels.

Steelgrid HR can be used as

a drapery or as a high
strength bolted facing. By
virtue of its construction
Steelgrid HR offers
significant flexibility in terms
of anchor positioning thereby
saving time and cost on site.
Steelgrid HR is a single-layer
geocomposite product making on-site handling and installation simple and quicker.

Three variants (HR30, HR50 and HR100) enable the

optimization of strength and stiffness characteristics
for every project making Steelgrid HR the perfect
choice for the designer who prefers to offer “tailored”
solutions to his/her clients.

Steelgrid HR30 is the ultimate double twist product. Its

maximum ultimate tensile strength of 184 kNm-1 is
unsurpassed by any simple mesh product and its durability is exceptional thanks to the
presence of integrally woven pre-stressed high tensile steel wire ropes (1770Nmm-2).

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 HEA Panels

The HEA panel is the stiffest product within the Maccaferri mesh range offering extremely
high strength at low strain. HEA panels are woven from one continuous length of pre-
stressed high tensile steel wire rope (1770Nmm-2), joined at the crossing points with the
patented HEA ‘double knot’ to provide unsurpassed ruggedness and high levels of durability.

HEA panels can be specified to meet the technical requirements of the given project. The
Client has the opportunity to select panel dimensions, rope diameter, mesh aperture size
and to select the presence or absence of a perimeter rope.

In addition to its abilities for

surficial stabilization of rock
slopes (when used in
combination with a bolt
raster), HEA panels are
extremely effective as high
strength and high durability
drapery. Additionally their
high stiffness (elastic
modulus up to 25% higher
than diagonal clipped cable
mesh panels) makes them
a highly effective facing for
soil nailed slopes. HEA panels are included within all three of Maccaferri’s MacRO system
design software packages.

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 Ring Nets

The highest strength mesh available in the Maccaferri range is Ring Netting. System
specification can be tailored to suit the application. Maccaferri can assist the client in
selecting from two variants (4v and 6v). In order to provide the optimum balance of strength,
weight and flexibility (and suitability for the anchor configuration on site) Maccaferri can
moderate a variety of system properties including wire strand diameters, bundle
configurations etc.

Summary of Key Product Benefits

The following table summarizes the key benefits of the principle products in the range of
Maccaferri high strength mesh systems.

Zinc Zn/Al Zn/Al +

Product Stiffness Strength
galvanization galvanization polymer

(<60
DT mesh Moderate Moderate -1 - X X
kNm )
Steelgrid (<184
Very High High - X X
HR kNm -1)
(<210
HEA Panels Extreme Very High -1 X X X
kNm )
(>300
Ring Nets Low Extreme X X X
kNm -1)

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 3) Installation Guidelines – Steelgrid HR HR & HR-PVC
Product Technical Information

Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC are woven geocomposite meshes made from steel wire and ropes,
woven together during hexagonal double twist wire mesh production. The Steelgrid HR &
HR-PVC geocomposites are particularly suitable for use as a rockfall protection drapery
system or for improvement of surface or ‘soil veneer’ slope stability. When used in
combination with the bespoke Steelgrid HR-Plates (especially when used in combination
with externally applied horizontal or oblique/’zigzag’ wire ropes) the mesh offers
considerable installation related advantages when employed in a cortical stabilization/pinned
drapery role.

The principle advantages of Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC are its high strength, high mechanical
stiffness and the efficient coupling of the loads acting on the system to the crestline anchors;
performance which arises from the longitudinally interwoven steel wire ropes. The steel wire
used in the manufacture of the double twisted wire mesh is heavily galvanized to Class A
with Galmac, a Zinc/Aluminium alloy (see technical datasheets for detailed information). In
the case of Steelgrid HR-PVC, the Class A Galmac galvanized wires are also coated in a
layer of PVC. The double twist nature of the mesh helps to prevent unraveling of the mesh
should any individual wires rupture.

STEELGRID HR is available in three variants: 30, 50 and 100. In the four variants the 8mm
diameter high tensile steel (1770N/mm2) ropes are coated to Class A grade using Galmac
galvanizing and are used in place of the conventional selvedge wire and are also
longitudinally inter-woven within the
mesh at nominal spacings of 30 cm,
50 cm and 100 cm respectively.
Steelgrid HR-PVC is also available
in three variants: 30, 50 and 100. In
the case of Steelgrid HR-PVC the
ropes are first coated to Class A
grade using Galmac galvanizing
and secondly coated in a
continuous layer of PVC before
being woven into the mesh.

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 Definition of Installation-Related Terms
Steelgrid HR mesh is most commonly applied to geological or geotechnical situations and
the generalized installation instructions presented in this document are related to Steelgrid
HR mesh is installed onto inclined rock slopes. (Steelgrid HR can be installed in a variety of
other scenarios including directly application to buildings, walls, dams, chimneys etc.) In
order to give an accurate description of the installation process it is necessary to define a
series of terms that will be used throughout this (and other) Maccaferri installation manuals.

Slope terminology includes the need

for definitions of the crest area (C)
of a slope, the face of a slope (F)
and the toe area of the slope (T).
The face of the slope lies at an
angle to the horizontal (ε) and has
an effective total height (X) above
the toe. Finally, for quantities and
calculation purposes etc. it is
necessary to define the length of a
slope to be meshed (L).

Mesh is most commonly installed - in geological and geotechnical situations - either as

simple drapery (below left) or as cortical stabilization (below right). In simple drapery, the
mesh is hung as a curtain, suspended by ropes at the crest and toe (RC and RT). In cortical
stabilization installations the mesh curtain is additionally retained using a network of anchors
(AF) located at calculated spacings (SFa or SFo) and fitted with wire ropes (RFa or RFo).

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 The mesh and any imposed loads are
supported from anchorages (A). These
can be positioned in the crest (AC), toe
(AT) and face (AF) of a slope depending on
the design and the prevailing instability
conditions at the site. The principal
anchorages are those located at the crest
of the slope (AC). They are commonly
located in a line and are fitted with suitable
terminations (often eye nuts or similar) to
accept the crest rope (RC). For the case of Steelgrid HR meshes, the crest anchors should
be positioned to coincide with the selvedge ropes at edges of the rolls, these ropes should
also be attached directly to the anchors. At the toe of the slope it is also common for a row of
anchors (AT) and a rope (RT) to be installed however other restraints are sometimes used
including concrete weights etc.

It is most common for the crest

anchors to be offset some distance
back - measured in the upslope
direction - from the top of the slope
face (Otyp). The offset (Otyp) will be
defined by the engineer on the basis
of a stability assessment and forms
part of the engineering design
however a typical minimum
recommendation is Otyp ≥1m. In
cases where the top of the face or
the down-slope edge of the crest is unstable (for instance it contains cracks or other signs of
instability) a larger ‘exceptional’ offset (Oexp) will be required. It is usual for Oexp > Otyp where:

Oexp = Otyp + (unstable thickness * f.o.s)

In some cases the engineer may require Otyp = 0m or to have the crest rope located on the
face of the slope. This is an acceptable solution however the engineering design (including
anchor design and mesh specification etc) must take full account of the potentially high
loadings that can arise in the situation.

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 Stages of Installation

Installation of Steelgrid HR mesh can be simplified into a series of “works stages”:

Preliminary stages (i. to iv). are pre-works stages performed by the designer:

i. Assessment of the slope

ii. Preliminary design
iii. Detailed design & design checking
iv. Preparation & checking of installation method statements
Main installation works (1-11) for both drapery and cortical stabilisation systems are:

1. Establishment on site and negotiation of access and logistics

2. Receipt of materials and checking
3. Clearing slope face and crest (loose material and dense vegetation)
4. Setting out of the site (anchor and rope positions etc.)
5. Installation of crest-line anchors (AC)
6. Lifting, placement and temporary securing of the mesh
7. Installation of crest-line rope (RC)
8. Adjustment and permanent connection of mesh runs (β)
9. Permanent connection (α) of mesh to crest-line rope (RC)
10. Installation of toe-line anchors (AT) and toe-line rope (RT)
11. Permanent connection of mesh to toe-line rope (RT)
Additional stages (a-d) required to convert a simple drapery into cortical stabilisation are:

a. Setting out of face anchor (AF) positions (SFa and SFd)

b. Drilling and securing/grouting (GF) of face anchors (AF)
c. Installation of face anchor (AF) termination accessories
d. Installation, tensioning and securing of face ropes (RFa/RFo)

Drapery: stages 1 – 11 (above left), Cortical Stabilization: stages a – d (above right)

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 Installation Stages 1 to 4

Following materials delivery all items should be checked. Items may then need to be moved
to the relevant areas on the site, at times this may require the use of mechanical handling
equipment such as tele-handlers or cranes (see example below).

Before the installation of

any materials the crest area
and slope face should be
prepared. The crest should
be cleared of all significant
or dense vegetation (see
right) to promote easy and
safe access for personnel
and equipment and to
enable simple manipulation
and placement of mesh,
ropes and anchors. A
minimum safe working area
would be in the range from 1m to 2m beyond Otyp/exp in a typical case.

Following the crest clearing the slope face must be cleared by the process of “de-scaling”.
This will typically include descent of the slope face (F) by roped access personnel who clear
the slope of loose rocks, soil and excessive vegetation growth using hand tools such as
mattocks, rakes and pry-bars (see overleaf). This work must be overseen by the engineer
and care should be taken to avoid excessive material removal and damage to the slope. It
should also be noted that removal of ground covering vegetation can be detrimental in some
circumstances – engineering assessment should be used in all cases.

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 Where slopes feature large unstable blocks (such as those pictured below), more robust
methods of removal may be required including mechanical methods, pneumatic or hydraulic
jacking (pictured below) or controlled blasting. Extreme caution is required during all de-
scaling works and material removal. Safe methods of working must be developed and
approved before the start of works and all necessary safety precautions must be taken.

In the case of removal of material from large, steep or very long slopes additional measures
can be required to reduce the risk posted by the falling de-scaled material. In some cases
proprietary dynamic rockfall barriers or hybrid barrier systems are installed below the area of
works to provide cost-effective protection for vulnerable infrastructure etc. Further details of
these systems are available later in this document.

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 Installation Stage 5: ‘Installation of crest-line anchors’

Following the setting out of the exact anchor and rope positions the crest anchors are drilled
and grouted. The drilling procedure should be carried out by suitably qualified personnel
using equipment appropriate to the type of anchors specified by the engineer in the
geotechnical design. Drilling may be carried out either by hand held equipment or using
mechanized equipment with a high powered DTH hammer or cased drilling systems such as
boom mounted DTH hammer systems (pictured below).

Following drilling of the holes, the anchors should be secured into the slope, this is most
commonly carried out by the introduction of either polymeric resin or cement based grout
(G). It should be noted that the location (Otyp) and
spacing of the crest-line anchors (SC) and the
parameters (Z and ψC) of the anchor (AC) and details
of the grout annulus (G) are all specified by the
project engineer as part of the engineering design.
For high strength meshes like Steelgrid HR, Z is
commonly greater than 2.5m and ψC may be
shallowly to increase pullout resistance. Additionally
anchor properties (i.e. high strength/flexibility) may need to be enhanced to the stage that
cable/rope anchors are required such as those offered by Maccaferri (ICAF44 shown below).

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 Installation Stage 6: ‘Lifting, placement and temporary securing of mesh’

Following the installation of the crest-line anchors the mesh

should be taken from the site storage area and lifted into
position onto the slope – it may be necessary to cut the runs
of mesh to length before lifting them (as shown right). A petrol
powered abrasive saw or electro-hydraulic (call for details) or
manual powered cutting tools are suitable for this job.

The runs of mesh should be placed into a suitable position on the slope to allow for
temporary securing (shown left) prior to the installation of the
top rope. The temporary securing can be to the crestline
anchors or other temporary attachments of suitable strength.
Two general methods are used to place the mesh “bottom-up”
and “top-down”. “Bottom-up” methods comprise moving the
rolls to the base of the slope face and then lifting the runs up
towards the crestline. This can be achieved by lifting the rolls using winches, mechanical
lifting equipment such as cranes or tele-handlers or through the use of helicopters (below).

“Top-down” mesh installation is most commonly carried out by transporting the rolls to the
crest-line of the slope and guiding them down the face to un-roll them into position (below).

For long runs of mesh or especially unstable slopes, the top-down un-rolling process may be
carried out using mechanical handling equipment such as cranes (above right).

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 Installation Stage 7: ‘Installation of crest-line rope’

Following temporary placement and positioning of the mesh runs it is necessary to install the
crest-line rope over the mesh (note the mesh is not connected to the rope at this stage). This
serves to help retain the mesh in position on the slope and enable problem-free permanent
connection of the mesh through closure of the mesh over the rope and securing.

The specification, corrosion protection and diameter of the crestline rope (RC) will be
specified by the engineer as part of the engineering design. The nominal strength of the rope
should be proportional to the loads exerted by the system and it is generally the case that
stronger meshes require thicker diameter ropes. In the case of Steelgrid HR and HR-PVC, it
is recommended that at the minimum RC ≥ 16mm diameter is used.

It should be noted that the crest-line rope should be divided up along the length (L) of the
mesh installation. This helps to increase the overall factor of the safety of the whole
installation and makes installation easier.

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 Installation Stage 8: ‘Adjustment & permanent connection of mesh’

Following the installation of the crest-line rope it is necessary to carry out adjustment of the
position of the mesh. This process is most frequent performed either by roped access
personnel descending down across the mesh (below) however in some circumstances it can
also be achieved from the basket of a ‘cherry picker’ or mobile access platform (below).

During the adjustment process workers remove excess slack from the mesh, they align the
panels to the desired orientation and remove any overlaps (below left) and accommodate
and area changes relating from the surface topography of the Face (below right).

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 For the permanent connection of the mesh panels three types of connection are used
(below) Crest-line / overlap – ‘α’ connections (these can be considered as similar to those
required at the toe-line ropes), Lateral / butt – ‘β’ connections and Longitudinal / lap – ‘γ’
connections.

Steelgrid HR mesh is
formed from both steel wire
ropes and wire mesh. The
extensive testing of the
mesh shows that it is only Dβ
necessary to connect the
ropes to gain the full
performance of the mesh.

The steel wire ropes will

need to be joined for both ‘α’
and ‘γ’ connections. The
ropes should be connected
using friction-type rope grips
(detailed later). The specification, number and spacing of which should be in accordance
with the prevailing standard operational on the project or as stated in the engineering design.
The wire mesh should be connected using the proprietary “HR-Link connectors (datasheet
available). The table (presented overleaf) gives minimum connection standards applicable
for Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC meshes. Connection requirements can vary and the engineer’s
specification must always be followed.

N.B. mesh overlap direction is

extremely important for ‘γ’ connections
– the overlap direction must be of the
opposite sense to roof tiles (see left).
Failure to observe this critical advice
can cause failure of the connection and
the development of dangerous or fatal
consequences.

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 *This manual recommends one type of rope grip others may be used according to the scheme designer’s specification.

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 *This manual recommends one type of rope grip others may be used according to the scheme designer’s specification.

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 Connection mechanisms/items mentioned in the text and tables (previous) are shown below:

Above: heavily galvanized rope grips (EN13411-5 ‘type B’) used for ALPHA connection.
Rope grips must always be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Above: HR-Link connectors. Above left top shows Galmac version for use with Steelgrid HR
and above left lower shows the Stainless version for use with Steelgrid HR-PVC.

Above: heavily galvanized ‘HR-Plate’ anchor plate. Specially designed and developed
clawed steel plate to work specifically with the Steelgrid HR system mesh.

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 Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC meshes can be installed using standard light hand tools and require
no specialist equipment (details of electro-hydraulic cutters are available from Maccaferri).

Cutting of the mesh (above) can be achieved through the use of either Felco-type hand
cutters (size suitable for 8mm or 5/16” ropes) or abrasive cutting equipment to cut the ropes.
Mesh wires can be cut with standard wire cutters (suitable for ≤3.0mm wire).

For the connections of the mesh, again only simple tools are required. The HR-Links and
HR-Caps do not require the use of tools (installation video available).The above tools are
required to form the standard rope grip connections: measuring tape, locking/’mole’ grips,
34mm* spanner (suitable for the flats on the rope grip saddle), ratchet + 11/16* socket,
torque wrench (calibrated range from 10-40N/m), grease for threads of rope grip.

(* All tool sizes & compatibility should be checked with actual rope grips being used on the project.)

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 The following illustrates standard handling procedures for connecting Steelgrid HR meshes.

First: Fold the mesh over the crest rope and align the mesh apertures to make installation
easier. Pinch the rope with grips/pliers and install first rope grip (grease threads). This
process is made easier if a piece of plywood or similar is inserted under the mesh being
worked on as this prevents fouling and contamination with the ground along the crest.

Second: Tighten the rope grip and then apply full torque using calibrated torque wrench.

Third: Repeat for the relevant number of rope grips per rope and for each rope along mesh.

Fourth: Install protective plastic caps to the ends of the ropes (where required by design). Be
certain to check torque of rope grips after 24-48 hours and at regular intervals over time
thereafter as specified in the project design.

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 ALPHA (α) Connection

The above photograph shows an example ALPHA (α) connection / ‘overlap connection’ in
Steelgrid HR30, made using the appropriate number of suitable rope grips (EN13411-5 type
B) to connect ropes. It can be seen in the photograph that the overlap required to form the
connection is minimal (approximately 200mm to 220mm) and that it is only necessary to
connect the ropes* [not the mesh] to form a full strength connection. (*see table on previous
pages).

The connection is easier to make if a piece of plywood (or similar) is slid underneath the
mesh as it lies, folded over the crest line rope, at the crest of the slope. By using this
technique it is possible to minimize disruption to the installation of the rope grips and keep
the working space as clean as possible.

It should be noted that the ropes used in Steelgrid HR are moderately stiff. To make
installation of the rope grips easier, it is advised that the rope be folded over and the mesh
apertures aligned. Once the mesh is in the correct position, the folded rope (in the mesh)
should be held in position using locking pliers, a ratchet clamp or similar hand tools.

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 BETA (β) Connection

The above photograph shows an example BETA (β) connection / ‘selvedge connection’ in
Steelgrid HR100, made using the proprietary HR-Link connector to connect the selvedge
ropes on the lateral edges of the runs of mesh. It is clear from the photograph that it is NOT
required to use any overlap in order to form a full strength connection.

The HR-Links are installed by hand (installation video is available) and require no tools or
specialist equipment. (For maintenance purposes it is possible to remove the HR-Links; a
video illustrating the process is available from Maccaferri.)

Two types of HR-Link are available. The HR-Link Galmac version is for use with Steelgrid
HR mesh and the HR-Link stainless version is for use with Steelgrid HR-PVC mesh.

It should be noted that in certain cases (such as slope faces with significantly undulating
topography) the selvedge ropes may not lie close enough to enable the installer to use the
HR-Link connectors along the full length of the selvedge. Where this is the case the gap
should be closed using a lacing of 8mm O.D. rope of the same specification as the mesh
(available from Maccaferri).

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 GAMMA (γ) Connection

The above photograph shows an example GAMMA (γ) connection / ‘longitudinal lap
connection’ in Steelgrid HR30, made using the appropriate number of suitable rope grips
(EN13411-5 type B) to connect ropes. It can be seen in the photograph that the lap required
to form the connection is minimal (approximately 300mm to 330mm) and that it is only
necessary to connect the ropes* [not the mesh] to form a full strength connection. (* see
table on previous pages).

The connection is easier if the two pieces of mesh to be joined are held firmly in place before
the installation of the rope grips. This can be achieved by firm temporarily connecting the
mesh (using carabinas or similar) and then the mesh apertures should be aligned. Once the
two pieces of mesh are in the correct position, the overlapped ropes (in the mesh) should be
held in position using locking pliers, ratchet clamp or similar. Then the rope grips can be
installed using the appropriate method (illustrated on previous pages).

It should be noted that the overlap direction/sense of the two meshes must be correct – the
reverse of roof tiles. Failure to observe this rule may result in failure of the connection.

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 Installation Stage 9: ‘Permanent connection of mesh to crest rope’

Following the positioning and connection of

the mesh panels/runs of mesh to form a
continuous layer (see picture below) the
mesh must then be connected to the crest-
line ropes (RC) and anchors (AC). It is
necessary to form the crest-line (α)
connections using only the longitudinal
steel wire ropes to achieve the full potential
of the Steelgrid HR mesh installation.

Details of the necessary type, number and layout of connections are given in the tables and
detailed in the photographs on previous pages. The connections shown in this document
(and the on-site manual) comprise the only “approved” connections for Steelgrid HR and
HR-PVC mesh. It is the standard recommendation that the ropes should be connected
using HR-Grip u-bolt type rope-grips. It should be noted that it is not necessary to connect
the double twist mesh portion of the mesh however, in certain circumstances such as when
making Gamma connections using Steelgrid HR100, the engineer may require the double
twist mesh to be connected. In these situations please contact your Maccaferri office for
details.

The photograph (right) shows

a Steelgrid HR30 cortical
stabilization installation. Here
the Crest Rope (RC) is offset
from the Crest Anchors (AC)
using short lengths or ‘tails’ of
wire rope however, the
connection is fully formed and
the DT mesh and wire ropes
are overlapped and the ropes
connected over RC.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 29

 Installation Stages 10 & 11: ‘Installation of toe-line anchors and rope and connection’

Following the formation of the crest-line ‘α’ connection of the mesh to RC and AC, the works
can progress along the toe-line of the slope face. (It should be noted that after work stage 9,
some adjustment of the mesh may be necessary depending on slope face topography etc.)

Toe-line anchors (AT) should be installed (photo below) in strict accordance with the
engineering design. It is usual, as with RC, for RT to be split up into sections to increase the
factor of safety of the installation as discussed regarding RC.

The toe-line rope should be inserted and secured after the Toe-line anchors have been
approved by the engineer. The remaining task is to form another ‘α’ connection of the mesh
to the Toe-line ropes (RT) and anchors (AT). The appropriate details/specification for the Toe-
line ‘α’connection should be specified by the engineering design however the standard
minimum advice is as given for ‘α’ connections in the previous table.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 30

 Optional Stages a & b: Setting out and anchoring of the slope face

In certain circumstances the engineer may consider it necessary to install anchors (AF),
through the mesh, into the face of the slope. In this situation it is possible for the anchors
(AF) to play a combined role; both in increasing the surficial stability of the slope face (F) and
helping to increase the mechanical stiffness of the mesh by limiting deflection.

Following the successful completion of a simple drapery-type installation (stages 1-11) the
location of the face anchorages should be set out and drilled in strict accordance to the
engineering design (to the satisfaction of the engineer).

Drilling equipment, techniques and procedures will vary widely. Hand-held drilling equipment
will often be used for installation of face anchors however this practice is not permitted in
some places/work environments meaning that mechanised drilling equipment will be used
exclusively. It should be noted that drilling is potentially dangerous; where-ever drilling
works are carried out it is of the highest importance that all safety regulations are followed
and the appropriate personal protective equipment should be used.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 31

 The mesh aperture size of Steelgrid HR and HR-PVC meshes permit the use of relatively
large diameter drill bits or self-drilling anchor bars where the procedure of works requires the
anchors to be drilled after the hanging of the mesh.

In some cases the engineer may specify for face anchorages to be installed before the
installation of the mesh – Steelgrid HR and HR-PVC are compatible with this method. Using
either method, a significant advantage of Steelgrid HR30/HR30-PVC is its insensitivity to
exact anchor placement (pictured below).

When used in combination with the bespoke Steelgrid HR-Plate, the plate will engage with
one or two ropes, independent of the location of the anchors. This can help to significantly
reduce the installation time and cost of Steelgrid HR when compared to other meshes. It
should be noted that
the Maccaferri
Steelgrid HR mesh
system does not
require the formation
of “pockets” under
anchors in the face as
is the case for some
systems. Additionally
the Steelgrid HR
system does not
require the imposition
or development of any Steelgrid HR mesh does not require “pockets” to
“forces” in order to be cut into the slope around the face anchors

function and offer full

performance or mechanical stiffness.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 32

 Optional Stages c & d: ‘Installation of face anchor terminations and face rope’

In circumstances of serious slope instability (especially soil slopes) or where the slope face
(F) has significant topography the engineering design may call for installation of a network of
steel wire ropes or similar, over the top of the mesh, and connected to face anchors (AF).

In the situations where the slope face has many undulations or irregularities, individual ropes
or networks of ropes
can be installed to draw
the mesh into the
undulations and thereby
reduce the potential for
falling blocks to fail the
mesh. This situation
can occur where falling
blocks are given the
chance to undergo free-
fall and in doing so
achieve higher
velocities and energies
if they then ricochet into
the mesh. Where profiling ropes or external rope networks are installed over the mesh,
rocks are prevented from falling and in this way the safety factor of the mesh is effectively
increased.

Ropes can be restrained by a

variety of terminations that are
available for installation onto the
free ends of the anchors (AF).
Typically the ropes are either
retained under the anchor plates
that are positioned to restrain the
mesh or the ropes are threaded
through eye nuts that may be
installed on top of (or sometimes
instead of) the anchor plate.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 33

 Various design philosophies are applied to the
specification of slope face ropes and
concerning the orientation of the ropes or the
patterns formed on the face. It is
recommended that the minimum rope to be
used with Steelgrid HR meshes should be
12mm diameter (1770 N/mm2 grade) however
it is not uncommon for 16mm ropes to be
used, particularly where angular rocks are
present on/in the unstable slope or where the
designer takes a conservative attitude to
factors of safety for system components.

Steelgrid HR mesh is not sensitive to the

specific configuration of external rope
networks. (It should be noted that the
presence of the integral longitudinal ropes
means that it should be unnecessary to install
external ropes in this orientation.) A diamond or “zig-zag” rope pattern (pictured left) will be
simple to install and will give highly favourable performance in terms of both punching
resistance but also working cooperation
with the integral longitudinal ropes.

The cooperation between integral and

external ropes acts to further increase the
mechanical stiffness of the system, which is
especially important for the control and
limitation of mesh bulging caused by
movement of loose surface layers or
accumulations of spalling material (pictured
right). This unique type of mechanically
efficient cooperation makes Steelgrid HR
mesh a highly effective product for use as a
cortical stabilisation or pinned drapery
system.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 34

 4) Maintenance Information

All mesh systems require periodic inspection and maintenance to offer full functional
performance in accordance with the engineer’s design specification.

Steelgrid HR and HR-PVC are robust, high strength products that come with a high level of
corrosion protection (see the next section) and therefore maintenance of Steelgrid HR
meshes primarily comprises inspection of the mesh installation on a regular basis and
corrosion and torque checking of any connection mechanisms used (e.g. rope grips, crest
rope and anchor fittings etc.).

The results from the regular inspections should be compared to the post-completion
inspection and approval documentation and to the results from any other periodic
inspections in order to monitor the performance and condition of the installation and if these
could be changing over time.

Inspection intervals are site-specific and must be specified in the engineering design. The
exact inspection interval will be based on a combination of the following characteristics:

1. Material influx rate (of any spalling material)

2. Material influx characteristics (high velocity impacts or angular blocks etc.)

3. Local environmental conditions (rain, coastal proximity, aggressive conditions)

4. Local overall geotechnical/geology stability situation

5. If the mesh installation will be prone to heavy snow loading or avalanche actions

It should be noted that where water on or in the face is an issue at a site, or water control
measures are part of the engineering design, specific inspection and maintenance
procedures will be required on these systems and any parts of the mesh installation they
inspect. These procedures will be specified in the engineering design.

In the case of installation in high corrosion areas or in aggressive environments the mesh
should be inspected on a more regular basis than in general conditions. It is recommended
that in these areas Steelgrid HR-PVC mesh should be chosen. Special additional
instructions are available for aggressive environments on request.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 35

 5) Product Technical Testing and Certification

Product Testing

Maccaferri MacRO System mesh products have been subject to an extensive program of
technical tests. Many tests were developed in house, to provide designers and engineers
with the most relevant information for their projects and to guarantee ‘real world’
performance of the products in the range.

Aside from the main mesh standard of reference for simple tensile testing of general meshes
EN 10223 (parts 3 and 9), methodologies for testing more complicated MacRO mesh
products were developed in-house in conjunction with a variety of notable external technical
institutions, always with an emphasis on realistic and repeatable ‘full-scale’ testing.

In the past, much emphasis has been placed on the importance of ultimate tensile strength
testing. While important, Engineers and Designers could move beyond this simple
methodology to demand more valuable and relevant information.

It is well understood that product stiffness is one of the most important features of an “in-situ”
bolted mesh installation (where its purpose is to stabilize the surficial layers). During the
development of the high stiffness HEA panels, Maccaferri and the University of Torino
developed a load-displacement testing methodology where the load/stress direction was
oriented at right angles to the mesh – a more realistic approach than simple tensile testing!

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 36

 Maccaferri was the first organisation to develop and use a realistic, accurate and reliable
testing methodology to assess load/displacement behavior of full scale mesh installations.
With this methodology it is possible to gain important data and an understanding of mesh
behavior in ‘real life’ installations; it is important to note that it is rarely possible to accurately
predict system behavior from unrepresentatively small and artificially restrained samples.

A full scale testing facility (4m x 4m) was developed, in collaboration with Instituto per la
Tecnologia della Construzione (CNR), this proved the value of load/displacement testing in
“driving load” tests. This enabled the complete range of Maccaferri mesh products to be
tested to destruction under a variety of conditions.

Section view
Front view

The technical understanding gained during the development of punch tests led Maccaferri to
develop a more representative and accurate ‘driving load’ test facility at Pont Bozet. Utilizing
fully instrumented anchors at 3m centers and a 2000kN instrumented hydraulic ram, the
results produced are among the most accurate and geotechnically realistic possible.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 37

 Load/displacement or “stiffness” data are among the most valuable data to the Engineer for
the specification of mesh systems for rock and soil slope surficial stabilization designs.

In-situ test comparison - Load-displacement

ST - 3.00 mm high resist wire HEA 300x300 mm - 10 mm cable ST - 3x4.00 mm high resist wire
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
Load (kN)

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
Displacement (mm)

Full scale load displacement testing, with ‘real-world’ restraint conditions, clearly
demonstrates the extremely low stiffness of single twist products especially when compared
to cable based, high-stiffness mesh products and geocomposite mesh products (for example
Steelgrid HR).

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 38

 In 2012 the Italian National Standards organisation issued a new standard UNI 11437:2012
“Rockfall defence works – testing on meshes used for the coverage of slopes”.

Maccaferri engaged IUAV of

Venice, Italy to undertake the
independent punch testing of its
meshes in accordance with the
UNI 11437 standard. A bespoke
test frame was commissioned
and installed for the execution of
the tests.

The importance of the UNI

standard is that its results can be
used to acquire the CE Marking
(the internationally recognised quality standard) for the Steelgrid HR and HR-PVC range of
geocomposite meshes.

The punching tests featured in the UNI standard are of particular relevance for
understanding the behavior of the meshes in conditions that would be present within both
cortical stabilisation/pin
drapery and soil nail facing
scenarios. The samples used
within the testing are 3m x
3m. The force/displacement
curves derived from these
tests are used directly within
the revised version of the
MacRO Studio geotechnical
design software package (see
next section and
accompanying technical
note).

The inclusion of near-to-life

testing data, derived from a common harmonised standard increases both the accuracy and
the reliability of the results from the program.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 39

 Product Certification

Product testing is an integral part of the development of all technical products. An accurate
understanding of product behavior enables the most efficient solution to be proposed for a
given project thereby providing the most suitable solution at the best price.

Maccaferri uses a number of different, highly respected external testing houses in addition to
its own in-house facilities to ensure that the test results produced are accurate, reliable and
suitable for use by the worlds most advanced Design Engineers on the most advanced and
technically demanding projects (details of the testing are explained in the test evaluation
document).

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 40

 “Active” and “Passive” Systems (Performance Philosophy)

The Designer’s perception of likely product performance will

determine the design philosophy adopted for a given
project. Recent years have seen a wealth of literature
proclaiming certain remarkable product properties that are
difficult, if not impossible, to observe in real world
installations. The unfortunate reality of marketing driven
design is that factors of safety can be difficult to prove and if
failure occurs, designs can be problematic to defend and liability is difficult to establish.

Maccaferri does not produce, or claim to

produce, “active” mesh systems. The picture
(left) shows a single twist mesh that is marketed
as an “active” product. Marketing material claims
that the mesh will be exerting an active
restraining force on the slope beneath. The
photograph (left) shows the geotechnically
insignificant magnitude of the “active” force
exerted by the mesh in this installation.

It is clear from real world experience that the force exerted (“F local”) by an unstable section
of either a rock or soil slope, is significantly greater than any true “active” force exerted by a
supposedly active “high resistance” flexible single twist mesh (see photograph below right1).

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 41

 Rather than a marketing driven interpretation of mesh system function, it is easier to analyse
the real world scenario of a bolted mesh or “retention mesh” being used in a surficial
stabilisation role.

The diagrams below illustrate the schematic function of three different mesh products, used
as bolted facings – the mesh is working in combination with the anchors to stabilise the
unstable surface layer of the rock slope. In this case instabilities are prevented from
propagating by the mesh because it is able to retain the failed material in-situ.

1 2 3

There are clear differences in the effectiveness of the three meshes. Mesh 1 is a low
stiffness mesh, its lack of stiffness makes it difficult for the mesh to control the failed material
and therefore some
propagation of the instability
(the failure) has occurred.
Mesh 3 shows the situation
for the case of an HEA
panel or Steelgrid HR. Made
from pre-stressed high
tensile steel wire ropes
(extremely mechanically
stiff). The Steelgrid HR is
capable of preventing the
propagation of instabilities. It
is therefore a perfect
example of the most suitable type of mesh product to use, in combination with anchors, for a
surficial stabilisation role.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 42

 6) Technical Design Software

The extensive testing carried out by Maccaferri has enabled the development of two
accurate and technically advanced pieces of design software for use in developing rock
slope protection solutions (MacRO1 and MacRO2) in bolted mesh and drapery scenarios
respectively. Additionally, Maccaferri also offer one piece of design software (BIOS)
dedicated to the use of flexible meshes as high strength facings for soil nailed slopes.

MacRO 1

MacRO1 is centered around the assessment of the suitability of a mesh for cortical
stabilisation purposes, based on the assumption of cooperative stabilisation effects from
both anchors and mesh. It has been developed with ease of use in mind and its operation is
based on data that are easily acquired in “on-site” circumstances.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 43

 The MacRO 1 geotechnical model assumes, for geomechanical and safety reasons, the
superficial part of the rock is in condition of limit equilibrium. Assuming, the resistant forces
(cohesion, friction) have the same values as the destabilising forces (weight, water etc.); it is
therefore possible to consider the following:

Stabilising forces = driving forces = W sin λ

Where:

W = weight of the volume to consolidated = ix iy γ s γdw

ix iy = horizontal and vertical distance between the nails (parallel to slope)
s = thickness of the unstable portion of the slope
γ = rock volume unit weight
γdw = coefficient of the unstable mass
λ = inclination of the failure surface beneath the unstable mass

So to introduce the contribution of the resistant nail R, the system stability can be explained
by the following:

(assuming that FOS = stabilising forces/destabilising forces)

[a] FOS = (W sin λ + R) / W sin λ

Where required, seismic factors can be simulated within the model using the following:

[b] FOS = (W sin λ - c W sin λ tan φ +R) / γdw W (sin λ + c cos λ)

Where:

C = seismic load factor

Φ = joint friction angle
γdw = driving forces load partial factor

Following analysis of the general geotechnical stability condition the contribution of the
selected anchorages is calculated. This is achieved through analysis of the shearing and
tensile forces acting on the bar, taking in account joint surface characteristics:

[c] R = ( 1 + (m2/16) ) / ( 1 + (m2 / 4) ) 0.5 Ne

Where:

m = cos (θ + JR)
θ = angle between anchor bar and the joint

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 44

 Ne = bar strength (elasticity limit condition = Fy γdacciaio
Fy = yield stress of the bar
γdacciaio = coefficient of reduction for the steel strength
JR = joint surface dilatency (based on mathematical interpretation of JRC, JCS and joint
plane tensile stress.

Following this procedure the diffuse stability of the nails is checked by estimating the sliding
forces and the stabilising contributions of both the nails and the bars. Next a check of the
mesh is performed. This is done by
assessing the capacity of the mesh to resist
the sliding of blocks that fail from between
the main anchor bars and in relation to the
thickness of the unstable portion of slope
and the spacing of the anchor bars. The
mesh is analysed for both strength and
deflection under the imposed loads. The
input parameters for this process being
derived from the UNI 11437 tests. The force
displacement curve derived from the testing
is scaled according to the user defined anchor geometry to produce a “true to life”
assessment of both the strength of the mesh and its likely deflection in the design scenario.

Punching forces on the mesh are derrived from the following:

[d] P ≈ Flocal ( sin (β - α) )

And the tension (T) acting within the mesh layer is determined as:

[e] T = Flocal ( sin (β - α) ) / ix ( sin (β - α - ρ)

From this stage the software produces an outline minimum nail specification (length and
grout diameter) based on the input parameters and the geometric model (pictured above)
and provides an output giving the appropriate data.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 45

 MacRO 2

MacRO 2 is based around the assessment and specification of mesh for use in simple
drapery installations. By integrating various site specific parameters such as slope height,
and face angle with other variables such as rock debris accumulation and snow thickness
the system gives the designer the required data to prove the factor of safety of the chosen
mesh and perform the required calculations to develop the top-anchorage specification.

MacRO 2 is based on detailed independent

modeling and testing carried out by the US
Department of Transportation1. It uses a basic
geometrical model of the slope and a series of
equations to derive three components of the
total load (S) that will act within the system and
onto the revetment: Wm = Weight of the mesh,
Wd = weight of the accumulated debris, Ws =
weight of the accumulated snow. These values
are appropriately partially factored to provide
both temporary and permanent loadings on the
system.

1
Muhunthan B., Shu S., Sasiharan N., Hattamleh O.A., Badger T.C., Lowell S.M., Duffy J.D., (2005): Analysis
and design of wire mesh/cable net slope protection - Final Research Report WA-RD 612.1 - Washington State
Transportation Commission Department of Transportation/U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway
Administration.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 46

 1 1 1 1 1 1
Wd   d H d2 (  ) sen(  )   d H d2 (  ) cos (  )tg ( )
2 tg ( d ) tg ( ) 2 tg ( d ) tg ( )

Hslope Hslope
Ws  stssen(  ) cos( )  sts cos( )tg (s ) cos( )
sen( ) sen( )

H slope H slope
β

Wm   m sen( )   m cos(  )tg ( )

sen sen( )
Where, in simple terms:
︵ ︶
S  Wd  Ws  Wm
The capacity of the mesh is verified against the forces calculated to be acting on it and a
factor of safety is derived for the proposed design.

MacRO 2 – Crest Rope/Anchor Calculation

The revised version of MacRO 2 includes an additional calculation stage – the verification of
a used defined Crest Rope (RC) and Crest Anchor (AC) installation. The verification is based
on catenary theory and checks forces acting within the Crest Rope and on the Anchors.

The catenary calculation is based around user-controlled variables including anchor spacing,
relative anchor positioning (in x and y). In addition to the geometry of the anchors the user
can control the properties of
the Crest Rope and the
properties of the anchors. In
addition to the physical and
geometric parameters which
are input by the user, during
calculation, the program
automatically optimizes the
loads on the system by
controlling the amount of
“design sag” that should be
allowed to occur between each pair of anchors during the installation of the Crest Rope (RC).
In the program output gives the design sag as a practical measurement that can be used on
site during installation.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 47

 BIOS (Best Improvement of Slope)

More recent testing and development work has enabled the creation of a new piece of
software (PC and Mac compatible) specifically dedicated to the calculation and design of
high strength mesh systems where used as flexible facings for soil nail projects ‘BIOS’ (Best
Improvement of Slope).

This is a truly modern software platform. BIOS makes use of a variety of geotechnical input
properties and a unique design philosophy to offer the designer un-paralleled power to
simulate the precise performance of the Maccaferri range of high strength meshes under soil
nailed slope conditions.

BIOS uses a limit state methodology to help the designer to move beyond the conventional
design approach. Bulging of soil nailed facings can occur without failure of the installation.
The advanced approach used by BIOS enables bulging to be predicted for the chosen
installation and assists the designer to specify a mesh of the correct stiffness for the given
project.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 48

 7) Corrosion Protection Data

The location of a project site can have a

large impact on the corrosion protection
option chosen by a Designer. Slope aspect,
proximity to the sea/coast, altitude, local
contamination issues and the presence and
specific chemistry of groundwater will refine
the selection. Maccaferri offer two corrosion
protection options on Steelgrid HR meshes
to make it suitable for all sites. Steelgrid HR
features Zn/Al Galmac alloy to Class A quality. While for extreme environmental conditions,
Steelgrid HR-PVC features Class A Galmac galvanisation with an additional polymer layer.

Class A Zn/Al Galmac

alloy galvanisation

Polymer coating
(on Steelgrid HR-PVC)

Maccaferri standard
wire Zn/Al alloy
coating weight:
-2
250 gm

Zn/Al Zinc/Aluminium
+ polymer Inferior Zinc & Zinc
alloy coating weight
on other products:
-2
150 grm

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 49

 8) Associated Products

Dynamic Rockfall Fence Systems

In some cases it may not be

practical to install rockfall
protection or cortical
stabilisation mesh, either due
to the scale of the site or due
to maintenance issues. In
these cases the most cost
effective way is often to protect only the vulnerable sites below the rock slopes. This can be
achieved by installing Maccaferri dynamic rockfall fences.

Maccaferri manufacture a range of

dynamic fences with MEL energy ratings
from 250kJ to 8500kJ, the performance
of all fences exceed the criteria for the
highest performance ratings e.g. ETAG
027. Maccaferri also offer semi-dynamic
fences without up-slope bracing ropes.
To find out more about the multiple
testing methodologies used in the
development of Maccaferri fences and also to get the latest technical data and specification
information, please contact your local Maccaferri office.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 50

 Rockfall Protection Embankments

For many years Maccaferri has been developing a scientific

design methodology to enable designers and engineers to
easily design and specify reinforced soil embankments for
protection from rockfall (and also debris flows and
avalanches). Maccaferri has worked with a number of
experienced and highly respected technical institutions to
fine tune the Maccaferri Embankment system.

The Green Terramesh and Duna reinforced soil

embankment systems have many key benefits
including extremely long design life (the Green and
Gabion Terramesh systems have BBA certificates for
120 year design life), relatively low per-linear-meter
cost and simple maintenance methods. A particular
advantage of embankments is the essentially unlimited
energy capacity. (*Compared to mesh or fence systems - depending on site specific factors.)

The photograph below shows boulder impact with a Green Terramesh Embankment. The
boulder was estimated, through back analysis, to have had impact total energy at impact of
of approximately 12000kJ and the embankment required only relatively minor cosmetic
repairs to be returned to a fully serviceable condition note proximity to end of the structure).

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 51

 Erosion Control Products

Many rock slope and soil slope stability issues are caused or exacerbated by the presence
and actions of water; both in and on the slope. Vegetation is one of the most effective ways
of increasing the surficial stability of certain slopes additionally vegetation helps to prevent
direct erosion of slope material and also acts to remove water from slopes, reduce pore
water pressures and increase stability.

An extremely effective way to assist the establishment of vegetation and prevent direct
erosion of soil slopes and channel linings is through the installation of erosion control
products. Maccaferri offer a range of both permanent and biodegradable erosion control
solutions. In addition to basic erosion control products, Maccaferri offer a range of erosion-

control “geocomposites”. Possibly the best known high strength erosion control
geocomposite is MacmatR (shown above), combining double twist rockfall netting and
bonded three dimensional polymeric erosion control fabric, is commonly used as both an
erosion protection layer in channels etc and also as a soil nail facing.

Details of the full range of Maccaferri geocomposites and erosion control products are
available from Maccaferri.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 52

 Mesh Installation Accessories and Connecting Equipment

Maccaferri can offer a large range of mesh connections, installation accessories, anchors
and tools/equipment according to client requirements:

 HR-Link (Connectors - 2 types)  Bar Anchors (ATB/CTB)

 HR-Grip (Rope Grips)  Bar Anchors (Self-Drilling Hollow)

 HR-Cap (Protective Caps)  Cable Anchors (ICAF 44)

 HR-Plate (Clawed Anchor Plates)  Perforated Drill Hole Liners

 Steel Wire Ropes  Anchorage Accessories

Please contact your local office for more information and datasheets concerning any of the
spares, installation accessories and consumables that you may require for your projects.

Rev 2.2 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 53

 9) Closing Information

Terms & Conditions

Please contact us for terms and conditions

Contact Information

Maccaferri Ltd
7600 The Quorum
Oxford Business Park North
Garsington Road
Oxford OX4 2JZ
T: +44 (0)1865 770555
F: +44 (0)1865 774550
E: [email protected]
www.maccaferri.co.uk

Offices in Scotland, NI and Eire

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 Appendices
a) Technical Datasheets & Case Studies

b) Compliance & Insurance Information

c) MacRO software calculations

Rev 2.1 Designer’s Handbook – Steelgrid HR & HR-PVC Page | 55