Textomur consists of horizontal geogrids or geotextiles typically at 600mm vertical centres within compacted cohesive or granular fill material. The facing to the slopes is formed using a steel mesh ‘formwork' backed by a geosynthetic facing fabric which retains a layer of topsoil immediately behind the face.

The finished slope can be hydroseeded to establish grass, or planted with appropriate ground cover shrubs.

A stone face finish can also be achieved for slopes above 65°.

The system is designed to BS8006 Design Code capable of 120 year design life.

Benefits

  • Can be built utilising site-won cohesive fill materials. This can generate substantial savings on import of granular fill and muck-away of cohesive arisings.
  • Highway services can be accommodated in the design.
  • Flexible - can be built with curves, corners, terraces, varying wall heights and steps.
  • Tolerant of differential and overall settlement as it is designed to ensure that settlement of cohesive fills during compaction can be accommodated without face deformation.
  • Design life of up to 120 years.
  • No structural foundation is required making it quick to construct.
  • Construction is entirely from behind the face of the slope, and no temporary propping is required.
  • A variety of face angles and finishes can be specified.
  • Leading edge protection system used during construction.

Applications

  • Forming steep face cuttings and embankments for highway widening schemes.
  • Slopes for railway schemes.
  • Environmental and acoustic bunds to screen industrial installations.
  • Repairing failed slopes.
  • Extending site areas to maximise plateau space for new commercial developments.

Textomur facing meshes are 5m long and are manufactured from 8 and 10mm diameter high tensile steel bars with welded connections. The standard course height is 600mm, and the reinforcement type and length is designed specifically for each project. Face angles from 55° to near vertical can be achieved. The fill material used with the reinforcing grids is specified as Class 7B/7C/7D (cohesive) or class 6I/6J (granular) in the Department of Transport Specification for Highway Works series 600.