Pioneering Innovation in Infrastructure: Savinaya's Breakthrough in Soil Nailing for NH-2 Expansion

Infrastructure development sometimes throws up challenges that demand an innovative solution. Savinaya, one of the top geotechnical engineering companies, once again proved its capability and innovative approach in the six-laning project of the Varanasi-Aurangabad section of NH-2 in India. This mammoth project stretches from Km 786.000 to Km 978.000, 192.4 kilometres, in the states of Uttar Pradesh & Bihar and is being executed on a DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Toll/Transfer) basis under the National Highways Development Project Phase-V. Work done on this project, especially in the areas of Soil Nailing and Cementitious Grouting by Savinaya, has opened new benchmarks in the industry.

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Background of NH-2 Expansion Project

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NH-2 is a major arterial highway that joins Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh with Allahabad of Bihar. This stretch has been proposed to be expanded into a six-lane expressway for the purposes of meeting the increasing traffic demands and also for the reasons of ensuring better connectivity. Although the project was launched in 2014 and work was scheduled for completion within 2016, land acquisition problems stalled construction for many years. The Project worked intermittently and picked up fully in 2022.

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In the process, NHAI changed the original design at many levels, including road and bridge elevations. Some of these major changes included additional height to the wall at the Railway Over Bridge issued at Ch 788.817 by 2 meters, over and above the specified original design. This posed a rather unusual challenge to the existing RSW, constructed with a block fascia to some height during the earlier construction phase.

Challenge: Reinforced Soil Wall Strengthening

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This involved increasing the wall height to support an additional 2 meters of load by the existing RSW. It was found, after design checking was done, that the grids of the RSW which were constructed were inadequate for this additional loading. This therefore called for a sturdy solution for strengthening of the already constructed portion so as to ensure the structural integrity of the wall.

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This challenging execution assignment was given to Savinaya, whose approach truly reflected the excellence of this company. The team came up with an inclusive plan that would involve the installation of additional layers of grouted Self-Drilling Rock nails, without disturbing Grids in the wall. It was quite a pioneering solution in its category in India and was meticulously designed to ensure the wall would sustain the entire load by adding extra height.

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Solution: SDR Nailing and Cementitious Grouting

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The solution proposed was to install 10 000 running meters of SDR nails in five layers, spaced at 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters. This careful design ensured that the SDR nails would support the extra load without causing any damage to the Blocks or Grid existing at the back during the installation process.

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SDR Nailing Process:

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The sequence of driving the SDR nails started from the bottom of the wall upwards. This made sure that the base would be proper and the structural integrity would not be affected. The loads which were to be borne by the SDR nails were in the magnitude of considerable forces; hence, the additional height being added to this wall called for additional reinforcement.

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Cementitious Grouting:

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The next critical operation after installing the SDR nails was cementitious grouting. In this process, a specially formulated cementitious grout was injected into the voids around the SDR nails to increase bonding strength and ensure optimum load transfer. The grout worked to protect from corrosion and gave an extended life to the SDR nails.

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The strengthening process was completed within 60 days, which typified the efficiency and expertise of Savinaya. Simultaneously, construction of the wall above the strengthened portion was also going on, hence assuring smooth progress without any hindrances and lagging behind in project execution.

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Savinaya's work in this project is pioneering of its kind and really showcases how complex engineering problems can be solved through innovation.

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Through state-of-the-art SDR nailing and cementitious grouting techniques, Savinaya not only ensured the structural integrity of this reinforced soil wall but also set a benchmark for all future infrastructure projects.

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Innovations

·?????? Customised SDR Design: The engineers at Savinaya designed a bespoke SDR solution that would meet precisely the requirements of the site. Rigorous design calculations were involved in determining optimum nail strength and placement so that it would hold up the increased load.

·?????? Fast Execution: Notwithstanding the complexity of the work, the strengthening process was completed within a record 60 days by Savinaya. This fast execution ensured minimal disruptions to the overall project timeline and demonstrated the operational efficiency of Savinaya.

·?????? Sustainable Solutions: The application of cementitious grouting in this structure not only strengthened it but also added to its sustainability. This is because the grout ensured durability in the long term through its protective properties, hence reducing the need for future maintenance and repair works.

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Challenges Overcome:

·?????? Complex Design Requirements: The increase in the wall height brought along special design challenges that required creative solutions to be found.

·?????? Coordination with Ongoing Construction: The construction of the wall above the strengthened section was going on simultaneously, which required extensive coordination with respect to safety and efficiency. Savinaya's project management expertise was instrumental in achieving this coordination.

·?????? Success in this project for Savinaya further underlines its position as a market leader in geotechnical engineering and soil nailing. Innovative thinking, technical prowess, and a quest for excellence have aided the company in carving out a niche for itself in the respective fields and being considered as trendsetters. High-end performance habituation has enabled Savinaya to set new standards for developing infrastructure in India and beyond.

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Savinaya has worked on the NH-2 expansion project, thereby speaking to its commitment toward innovation, excellence, and sustainability. By adopting SDR nailing and cementitious grouting techniques for strengthening of R S Wall for the first time on Indian Highways, Savinaya has set new benchmarks in infrastructure development and has shown the capability to solve complex engineering challenges through innovative solution strategies.

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The contributions by Savinaya, during the progress of this project, are highly instrumental in turning NH-2 into a modern, efficient, and reliable expressway that improves connectivity and supports economic growth in the region.

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To know more about the creative solution and expertise of Savinaya in geotechnical engineering, visit their website and connect with them on LinkedIn.

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#Innovation #SustainableEngineering #NH2Expansion #SDRNailing

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