North Mountain Geohazards SOQ

Geohazard Services | SOQ

Landslide Mitigation Design Whether they are deep-seated or surficial, landslides are disruptive to assets and can be deadly under the right circumstances. Having a team that understands both the geological setting and the geotechnical engineering mechanism of failure is critical to success. WSP has a deep bench of geo-experts with these skill sets. We have been involved in major landslide studies, and have designed mitigation consisting of tieback anchors, lightweight fill, soil mixing columns and shear walls, soil nails, and earth buttresses, etc. There is no one-size-fits-all solution – it requires sound engineering judgement and creativity while factoring in constructability and cost. Rockfall Mitigation Design Typical rockfall hazards include unstable, deteriorating soil and rock cuts, naturally occurring detachment of large blocks from the outcroppings above the road, and remobilization of rock blocks that have been deposited in the slopes, then exposed in the over-steepened, upper soil parts of cut slopes. Our team has extensive experience in rockfall mitigation, demonstrated through numerous successful projects across various challenging terrains. Our team has addressed rockfall hazards to protect critical infrastructure through methods such as trim blasting, mechanical rock excavation, ditch improvements, scaling, installation of lightweight and heavyweight draped mesh and pinned mesh, rockfall fences, rock bolting, and shotcrete buttressing.

Emergency Response Rapid geohazard events usually result in road closures, either to remove debris or out of caution that the event may not be finished and may pose a threat to the traveling public. Immediate response on natures schedule, and accurate evaluation and management of these events is critical for public safety and mobility as well as the safety of maintenance staff and other responders to the scene. Effective incident management from the time the road closes to completion of subsequent activities is key to minimizing corridor performance impacts and promoting a positive image to the public. Personnel responding to events will be qualified to evaluate the source and surrounding area to determine whether scaling or other measures are required for the safety of staff and users. Responders will be trained in rope access and capable of accessing these sites. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for quick observation of source areas, trajectories and potential access routes has become routine whenever possible. Use of a UAV and rapid, in-house data processing will provide greater efficiency and safety and documentation of areas that can be shared digitally with staff during emergencies. WSP will provide our opinion of urgency and follow up with recommendations and designs for future actions including scaling, temporary barriers, permanent barriers, instrumentation, or other stabilization or protective measures. As stated above, we provide construction layout, inspection and engineering assistance to facilitate successful completion and documentation of the project.

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