by Platipus Inc | Aug 23, 2022
Midshore Landfill – Easton, MD, USA
Project Overview
Maryland Environmental Service (MES) owns and maintains the Midshore Regional Solid Waste System in a region that serves 140,000 residents on the eastern shore of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. The 175 acre (708,200m²) Midshore I closed in 2010 after operating successfully for 20 years. MES chose to cover the landfill with an Exposed Geomembrane Cover (EGC.) Designed to protect the environment and minimize the need for ongoing maintenance, the EGC also allows for future use of the landfill.
Solution
The EGC design specified an HDPE 60mil (1.5mm) geomembrane liner secured with Platipus Percussive Driven Earth Anchors (PDEA®) as a cost-effective and easily installed alternative to traditional vertical trenching. The Platipus anchor assembly was manufactured with components to meet the holding capacity and 20-year design life required by Geosyntec Consultants/MES in this highly corrosive environment. The anchor was driven through the liner and into 4-5 feet (1.2 – 1.5m) of compacted waste. The pull out resistance was then field tested to meet the engineered wind and LFG uplift requirements of 1,800 lbs (8kN). Once the anchor assembly was fully installed and tested, a HDPE patch was placed over to create an impermeable system.
by Platipus Inc | Aug 23, 2022
Levee Anchoring Solutions
Project Overview
Vegetated earthen levees serve to regulate water levels, and when constructed in coastal regions protect against flood damages resulting from storm surge. Vegetation on a levee plays the vital role of holding the soils that make up the protective earthen structure in place, while HPTRMs and other manmade veneer systems enhance the vegetation to ward off the erosive forces of waves and continuous “chop” associated with winds and high water. In the most severe conditions, these surface protection systems fend of the destructive erosive forces of overtopping that commonly decimates an unprotected earthen levee.
Solution
Platipus Stealth anchors are ready to tie down the appropriate HPTRM or erosion control veneer system, forming a mechanical connection to the substrate. If soils are unstable or a slip plane has been identified, our Geotechnical Team and Anchor Experts are available to assist in design and selection of the appropriate Stealth Anchor Systems.
by Platipus Inc | Aug 22, 2022
Benbrook – Arlington, TX, USA
Project Overview
Engineer’s working on a design for a new bridge crossing the Clear Fork – Trinity River in the City of Benbrook, Texas discovered the slopes under the bridge were unstable during high flow conditions related to storms events. The consultant worked with Platipus’ Geotechnical Team to develop a PDEA® solution to stabilize the sliding condition when the Lean Clays and Clayey Sand layers over Weathered Limestone become saturated. The slope design included a permanent hard armor ACB layer to protect against the erosive forces of the expected high waters.
Solution
A total of 640 anchors, made up of a combination of S8C and S8A anchor heads were paired with 18’ of 6mm diameter Grade 316 Stainless Steel wire tendons and wedge grips to provide the necessary anchorage and surface loading to stabilize the deep slide condition. Prior to deployment of the ACB Mattress, the prepared slopes received a layer of a heavy TXDOT approved nonwoven geotextile followed by a layer of poly coated twisted wire mesh matting. The anchors were then positioned on a 4’ x 4’ grid pattern, driven to the engineer derived depth of 15’, while each anchor was tensioned and locked off to the design load of 2,600 lbs. Proof loading was achieved using the Platipus SK1 hydraulic load jack and electric pump. Platipus design assistance, along with virtual and onsite training and support once again resulted in a successful Platipus ARGS® slope stabilization project.
by Platipus Inc | Aug 22, 2022
Secondary Pipeline at km 108, Ecuador
Project Overview
Over the past 15 years this steep slope located at km 108, adjacent to a secondary pipeline and right-of-way, had experienced several failures. In June 2019, a military patrol reported another landslide of significant proportion within the previously remediated stabilization work. A slope stability analysis was undertaken by the client, Pluspetrol, to identify further potential instability within the slope and determine a suitable remedial solution.
Solution
Due to the remote location of the slope it presented many challenges. All materials needed to complete the project had to be transported by helicopter, and the site could only be reached on foot via the 500 year old “Jumandi Trail”. Difficult access to the slope face meant that all equipment and the installation crews had to be connected to abseil points. Reprofiling the slope was completed gradually, in sections. To stabilize the slope, 220 Platipus B4 Cast SG Iron anchors were installed to a depth of 8m (26’), on a 2m (6.5’) off-set grid pattern, using a core drill rig with mounted compressor. Each anchor was proof loaded to 50kN (11,200 lbs). In addition, 20 Plati-Drains were installed to a depth of 5m (16.5’) at the top of the slope and 7m (23’) at the bottom of the slope to reduce pore water pressure and increase stability. Once the B4 anchor systems and Plati-Drains were installed, 820m2 (980 yd2) of HPTRM was placed along the entire slope face and secured in position using load plates and load nuts to complete the installed B4 anchor systems. An additional 200 Platipus S2 ARGS assemblies were also installed to hold the HPTRM tight to the slope surface to provide erosion control measures and encourage re-vegetation.
by Platipus Inc | Aug 22, 2022
Boulevard Sur Ciudad San Cristobal, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Project Overview
Due to a significant landslide on the San Cristóbal Boulevard the Government of Guatemala (COVIAL) decided to relocate the original route. This meant that existing slopes had to be cut to create the new road resulting in extreme slopes exposed without vegetation that needed to be stabilized.
Solution
After completing a stability analysis of the slopes, it was decided that a robust erosion control solution would be required. Due to the dimensions and ground conditions of the slopes, a three-dimensional High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) was proposed to be secured using Platipus Anchors. A total of 5200m² (6,200 yd2) of TenCate TM14S three-dimensional HPTRM erosion control matting was installed to cover the slopes, secured in place using 1,475 Platipus S2 Geo assemblies. Installation was completed by specialized trained abseil crews, while the combined solution provided a design life of 75 years.
