A site inspection of an embankment on the West Coast Main Line (UK) revealed a general dete-rioration of the embankment, significant movement of the trackside services and waterlogging and bulging alongthe embankment toe. The medium-height embankment, with side slopes at about 30 degrees to the horizontal,was constructed on natural sidelong ground and the site had been an area of previous instability (former ashand slag tip). Site investigation, ground monitoring and analytical modelling indicated that the embankmentwas at limiting equilibrium and that recent progressive movement was occurring along a rotational slip surfacelocated within the embankment core (ash and slag materials overlying reworked glacial till). The upgrade workscomprised the installation of a row of stabilizing piles along the mid-height of the embankment side slope (facil-itating Green Zone working); regrading to prevent shallower slips near the embankment crest and the installationof a toe drain that discharged to a nearby stream.
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