Optimizing soil nail placement to increase safety factor on Sucre–Marbella Costa Verde cliffs.

Abstract

The present study evaluates the factor of safety in the cliffs of the Costa Verde, specifically along the Bajada Sucre – Bajada Marbella section in the district of Magdalena del Mar, through the application of the soil nailing technique while varying the location of the bars. In particular, it assesses whether placing bars only in the upper and lower sections of the slope is more effective than installing them along the entire slope. Modeling was performed using Slide software, considering the geotechnical conditions of the ground and the structural properties of the nails. The results show a significant increase in the factor of safety compared to the natural state of the cliff, achieving values that ensure the global stability of the slope. Regarding the comparison with the use of steel soil nails along the entire profile, it was concluded that, since both cases yield similar factors of safety with minimal variation, for the scenario analyzed it is more effective to install nails only in the upper and lower parts of the slope rather than in the center, allowing for economic savings. Furthermore, the importance of selecting the correct nail placement is highlighted, as certain zones have greater relevance than others. It is concluded that the soil nailing system constitutes a technically viable and efficient solution to improve the stability of the Costa Verde cliffs, representing an adequate alternative to other stabilization methods.