Reinforcement works for the slope stabilization: standard and new approaches for the use of micropiles and anchors

The reinforcement works for the slope stabilization, natural or excavated slopes in rocks or soils, have developed in various directions. The technology is always researching new solutions for reducing the economic and environmental impacts and, at the same time, guaranteeing efficiency and the maximum improvement of long-term safety conditions. After a brief overview of the reinforcement types most commonly used in our region, with particular care to the Vicenza Province (NE Italy), the paper present a short discussion on their most favorable applicability conditions and on their efficiency. Then we present a new approach for using the soil nailing in the stabilization of medium deep landslides, analyzing the advantages offered by this new solutions, namely “flexible belt” or “floating reinforcements”, in comparison with micropile structures and traditional anchors. Finally, the paper introduces the studies recently started for improving the use of soil nailing as slope remedial works.