Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
while the breccia are located above the basalts
and show significant erosion signs, evidenced
by the formation of the already mentioned caves
(cenorgeo, 2007).
The stabilization works carried out aimed to
protect the rock mass against erosion at the Fort
foundation level which could put its stability
at risk.
The stabilization works of the basaltic layers
involved unstable rock blocks removal and joint
sealing.
The disaggregated breccias and tuffs were pro-
tected with shotcrete lining with fiber reinforcement.
in the west top of the southern cliff, above the
pier, a very resistant basalt layer was identified
overhanging at the top. This 5 m overhang of about
The caves were filled with cyclopean concrete
with a final exterior shotcrete lining, providing the
it is noteworthy that the base of the Fort wall
was protected with a shotcrete lining in a strip
about 0.50 m high.
6
conclUsions
The construction of important infrastructures,
such as roads, ports and buildings, at the edge of
cliffs undergoing constant evolution has increased
the need to carry out stabilization works to provide
protection and enable continuous safe use of these
infrastructures.
These types of interventions have led to the need
to carry out increasingly detailed studies, meaning
identifying the main problems at each location,
with the aim of designing the stabilization solu-
tions most appropriate to each case.
a recommendation arising from the experi-
ence acquired in designing and monitoring these
types of works is that, besides the design phase,
the execution phase of the works should be moni-
tored by experts with geotechnical training, pref-
erably those who developed the project phase of
the studies.
only this way it is possible to make the neces-
sary adaptations in good time when faced with
unexpected situations during the design, due,
mainly, to the lack of direct access to the surface
of the cliffs and the dense vegetation that often
covers them.
This permanent monitoring translates into sig-
nificant savings, particularly in the scheduling,
the type and the development of the works to be
done and in the optimisation and flexibility of the
solutions implemented as a result of better under-
standing of the problems, allowing a maximum use
of the resistance of the volcanic bedrock and the
local conditions occurring, which contributes, in
turn, to a reduction in costs and an increase in the
reliability of the works.
a. General view of the southern cliff after the stabiliza-
tion works
acknoWleDGeMenTs
The authors wish to extend their thanks to the
Regional Directorate of infrastructures and
equipment (DRie) and to the estradas da
Madeira (RaMeDM) of the Regional Govern-
ment of Madeira (GRM), for the permission pro-
vided for the production of this document.
ReFeRences
b. General view of the eastern cliff after the stabilization
works
cenorgeo. 2006a.
Consolidation of the slope above the
ER101 at Sítio do Massapez
. Final design. GRM.
DRie (in Portuguese).
Figure 7.
cliffs underlying the saint João Baptista Fort.
