Problem
The entrance to the aquatic center, designed for the swimming and diving competitions at the year 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia, is an impressive tunnel entry under a large berm.
The berm itself is both a structural and architectural feature of the entrance and as such required detailed attention as to the finished aesthetics.
The embankment was constructed with compacted shale reinforced with geogrids to satisfy the structural requirements, thus the challenge was to accomodate and stabilize a topsoil face on both sides to facilitate landscaping and therefore fulfill the aesthetic requirements.

soluTION
The TENAX TENWEB 3/300 geocells were selected based upon performance and cost criteria. Performance data was developed by conducting field trials tests simulating high rainfall intensity and run off velocities.

Significant design input from TENAX engineers led to a satisfactory installation technique including specification of pin type and spacing to compensate for lack of anchor trenches due to slope geometry and a slope length in excess of 35 m.
Where the slope length was greater than 10 m (ie. one panel length) the panels were stapled (ie. each cell) end to end to enable rapid installation by way of pulling the top panel up the berm face with the other one following.

Once the panels were in place and the perimeter pegged, the internal cells were pegged utilizing 12 mm galvanised steel fixing pins. A total quantity of 9000 m2 TENAX TENWEB 3/300 geocells were utilized. Due to space constraints at top of berm, all soil filling operations were undertaken from the bottom. The upper portions of slope required the utilization of a crane and kibble to facilitate filling.

conclusionS
The successfull installation and subsequent performances proved the TENAX TENWEB system to be the most effective method of stabilizing and revegetating the arid slope.
The installation furthermore set new benchmarks in respect of maximum slope length of 35 m without the utilization of anchor trenches.