A risk based approach to stabilisation of rock batters

This paper provides a summary of a recent slope stabilisation project for steep rock and soil slopes above an existing road in steep terrain. The necessity for stabilisation was determined by visual risk assessment of sections of the road, using the RTA NSW risk assessment system. Sections of road which were determined to have an unacceptable risk for road users were treated to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The stabilisation measures adopted included rockbolts, fibre reinforced shotcrete, buttresses, rockfall protection mesh. The uses of these treatments are described in the paper. Also adopted for this project were proprietary rockfall catch fences to retain rockfalls above roads. This is the first application of these particular fences in Australia.