Simple Drapery
05/2024-08/2023
POWELL VALLEY, VIRGINIA, U.S.A
Virginia Department of Transportation
Access Limited Construction Co.
VADOT BIG STONE GAP
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Problem
The Double Twist Wire Mesh Drapery installation along U.S. 23 near Powell has experienced significant degradation due to prolonged weathering and the challenges posed by an active rock slide zone. The adverse slope morphology, characterized by substantial concavities that act as launch features, forces the mesh system to absorb repeated rock impacts. Existing tears in the mesh amplify the risk of slope failure, threatening roadway infrastructure and public safety. Prompt assessment and rehabilitation were essential to mitigate these hazards and ensure the slope’s long-term stability.
Solution
The proposed solution for addressing the degradation of the slope protection system involved redraping the slope with Steelgrid HR 30, a high-strength wire mesh that integrates cables into the double-twist wire mesh for enhanced durability and impact resistance. This advanced system was installed over the existing mesh, creating a layered approach that not only provides an immediate solution to the tears on the old mesh system but also serves as a redundant protective measure over time, ensuring long term resilience against rock impacts and slope instability
