The ABCs of soil nailing: an integrated tutorial and knowledge-based approach to teaching design

Soil nailing is an earth stabilization method that combines in-situ reinforcements and a flexible facing to support existing natural slopes and hillside cuts or excavations. Since its inception in the early 1970's soil nailing has proven to be a successful and reliable shoring approach when proper design guidelines and construction methods are applied. Given the highly empirical nature of available design approaches, a fundamental understanding of the behavior of soil-nailed walls is critical to a safe and satisfactory outcome. In this respect case studies of successes and failures and established codes of practice are very important teaching and training resources. This paper describes an integrated approach for teaching engineering design. The approach was developed for the case of soil-nailed walls but could be applied in other similar engineering design contexts. The approach comprises a computer-based tutorial combined with an automated knowledge base developed to assist in formulating design decisions. The students tire introduced to the basic principles through an interactive tutorial module and guided through the design process by the automated tool which is based on the CLOUTERRE and FHWA Guidelines.