Sustainable Engineering Solution for Slope Stability with Anchor Reinforced Vegetation System (ARVS)

Sustainability and resiliency are becoming more important in project design, with emphasis being placed on the environmental impact. Slope stability solutions should be designed to provide a low environmental impact to achieve long-term performance and overall project success. During design, it is important to consider factors such as durability, economics and environmental impacts. The Anchor Reinforced Vegetation System (ARVS) is recognised as a sustainable armouring and slope stability solution proving both surficial stability and erosion control at the same time. An ARVS is a component system consisting of a High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) to provide erosion protection and surficial strength, coupled with Percussion Driven Earth Anchors (PDEAs) for resistance to shallow-plane instability. The system is designed to optimise rapid vegetation growth and keep soil in place, thereby resisting mobilisation of soil masses associated with sliding failures of slopes. Key physical and material properties of the component system include optimal ultraviolet resistance, flexibility, and tensile strength of the HPTRM, along with its ability to promote vegetation establishment through increased soil and moisture retention. PDEAs can be selected in various lengths and strengths and are composed of corrosion-resistant material to ensure longevity while maintaining ease of installation. Design methodology of the ARVS for reinforcement against relatively shallow translational sliding failures consists of an infinite slope method solution adapted for the inclusion of PDEAs. Procedures for utilising the ARVS for relatively deep-seated rotational sliding failures include the modelling of stability using conventional limit equilibrium methods. Components of the ARVS are integrated into the model using slope stability modelling software. Results include the potential for an engineered ARVS solution for specific cases of reinforcement for slope stability. The sustainability of the ARVS solution including environmental parameters such as carbon footprint, economical and engineering aspects is analysed and compared with traditional solutions. An example of the practical application of the design methodology is demonstrated.