GEO Publication No. 1 - 2009

GEO PUBLICATION No.
1/2009
PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
FOR MAN-MADE SLOPES
AND RETAINING WALLS
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE

Civil Engineering and Development Department
The Government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region
GEO PUBLICATION No. 1/2009
FOR MAN-MADE SLOPES
AND RETAINING WALLS
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE

Civil Engineering and Development Department
The Government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region
2
© The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
First published, August 2009
Prepared by :
Geotechnical Engineering Office,

Civil Engineering and Development Department,
Civil Engineering and Development Building,
101 Princess Margaret Road,
Homantin, Kowloon,
Hong Kong.
Captions of Figures on the Front Cover
Top Left : Soil Cut Slope at Princess Margaret Road, Homantin
Top Right : Soil and Rock Cut Slope at Tin Hau Temple Road, North Point
Bottom Left : Skin Wall at Heung Chung, Sai Kung
Bottom Right : Soil Cut Slope at Wo Chung Street, Homantin

3
FOREWORD
This Publication presents a recommended standard of good practice for the application
of prescriptive measures as improvement works on existing man-made slopes and retaining
walls in Hong Kong. The scope of application covers a range of prescriptive measures items
in the form of preventive maintenance works, upgrading works or repair works to landslides.
Various types of prescriptive measures have been developed for soil/rock cut slopes,
fill slopes and masonry/concrete retaining walls. The findings and recommendations of the
studies on the formulation of the prescriptive measures framework are given in a series of
technical reports and guidance documents published by the Geotechnical Engineering Office
from 1995 to 2007. This Publication integrates and rationalises the recommendations and
provides a comprehensive guidance document on the application of prescriptive measures to
existing man-made slopes and retaining walls.
This document was prepared by a team consisting of Dr Raymond W.M. Cheung,

Ms Becky L.S. Lui and Mr Lawrence K.W. Shum, under the supervision initially of
Mr W.K. Pun and later Mr Ken K.S. Ho.
Copies of a draft version of this document were circulated to local professional bodies,
consulting engineers, academics and Government departments. Many individuals and
organisations made useful comments, which have been taken into account in finalising this
Publication. All contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
Practitioners are encouraged to provide comments to the Geotechnical Engineering

Office at any time on the contents of this Publication, so that further improvements can be
made in future editions.
R.K.S. Chan
Head, Geotechnical Engineering Office
August 2009
4
CONTENTS
Page
No.
TITLE PAGE 1
FOREWORD 3
CONTENTS 4
LIST OF TABLES 7
LIST OF FIGURES 9
1. INTRODUCTION 11
1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE 11
2. APPLICATIONS 12
2.1 GENERAL 12
2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 12
2.3 AREAS OF APPLICATION 14
2.4 MERITS AND LIMITATIONS OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 14
2.5 TYPES OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 15
2.6 SELECTION OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 16
2.7 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION 18
2.8 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PERSONNEL 20
2.9 STATUS OF SLOPE FEATURES IMPROVED BY 23

5
Page
No.
3. TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 24
3.1 GENERAL 24
3.2 TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 24

3.2.1 Surface Protection 24
3.2.2 Surface Drainage 27
3.2.3 Local Stability 29
4.1 GENERAL 31
4.2 TYPE 2 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 31

4.2.1 Subsurface Drainage 31
5.1 GENERAL 41
5.2 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES 41

5.2.1 Qualifying Criteria 41
5.2.2 Soil Nail Layout 43
5.2.3 Soil Nail Head and Facing 46
5.2.4 Corrosion Protection 47
5.3 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES WITH 48

TOE WALLS
5.4 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR CONCRETE OR MASONRY 54

RETAINING WALLS
5.5 PRESCRIPTIVE SKIN WALLS FOR MASONRY RETAINING 62

WALLS
6
Page
No.
5.5.2 Skin Wall Design 63
5.6 PRESCRIPTIVE CONCRETE BUTTRESSES FOR ROCK CUT 64

SLOPES
5.7 PRESCRIPTIVE ROCK DOWELS FOR ROCK CUT SLOPES 64

5.7.1 Collection and Assessment of Discontinuity Data 64
5.7.2 Prescriptive Rock Dowels 65
6. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 67
6.1 GENERAL 67
6.2 SLOPE APPEARANCE AND LANDSCAPING 67
6.3 TREE PRESERVATION 67
6.4 BUILDABILITY 68
6.5 WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF SENSITIVE STRUCTURES 68
6.6 CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND CONTROL 68
6.7 CONSTRUCTION REVIEW 68
6.8 MAINTENANCE 69
REFERENCES 70
GLOSSARY OF SYMBOLS 74
7
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
No. No.
2.1 Common Applications of Different Types of Prescriptive 16

Measures
3.1 Items of Type 1 Prescriptive Measures 24
3.2 Prescriptive Use of Vegetation Cover for Soil Slopes 25
5.2 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil 42

Nails to Soil Cut Slopes
5.3 Stability Enhancement for Application of Prescriptive Soil 44

Nails to Soil Cut Slopes
5.4 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Soil Cut 45

Slopes
5.5 Sizing of Prescriptive Soil Nail Heads 47
5.6 Additional Qualifying Criteria for Application of 48

Prescriptive Soil Nails to Soil Cut Slopes with Toe Walls
as Upgrading Works
5.7 Classification of Condition of Masonry Retaining Walls 49
5.8 Guidelines for Evaluation of the State of Masonry 49

Retaining Wall Deformation
5.9 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil 54

Nails to Concrete or Masonry Retaining Walls as
Upgrading Works
5.10 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Concrete or 59

Masonry Retaining Walls
5.11 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Skin 62

Walls to Masonry Retaining Walls as Upgrading Works
8
Table Page
No. No.
5.12 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Rock 66

Dowels to Rock Cut Slopes as Upgrading Works
9
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
No. No.
2.1 Schematic Diagram of Typical Prescriptive Measures for 17

Man-made Slope Features
2.2 Record Sheets for Prescriptive Measures on Man-made 21

Slope Features
3.1 Alternative Flat Drainage Channel Details to Minimise 28

Excavation in Rock
3.2 No-fines Concrete Backfill to Local Areas 30
4.1 Raking Drains at Upper Part of Slope 32
4.2 Raking Drains at Lower Part of Slope 33
4.3 Toe Drain 35
4.4 Counterfort Drains at Upper Part of Slope 36
4.5 Drainage for Hard Surface Cover (with No-fines 37

Concrete Toe)
4.6 Drainage for Hard Surface Cover (with Relief Drains) 38
4.7 No-fines Concrete Cover 40
5.1 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Soil Cut Slope 46
5.2 Types of Concrete Retaining Walls covered by the Scope 48

of Application of Prescriptive Soil Nails
5.3 Simplified Geometry of a Slope Feature Incorporating a 50

Soil Cut and a Mass Concrete or Masonry Retaining Wall
at Toe
5.4 Simplified Geometry of a Slope Feature Incorporating a 51

Soil Cut and a Reinforced Concrete Retaining Wall at Toe
5.5 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Soil Cut Slope with Toe Wall 53
5.6 Simplified Geometry of a Mass Concrete or Masonry 55

Retaining Wall Feature
10
Figure Page
No. No.
5.7 Simplified Geometry of a Reinforced Concrete Retaining 56

Wall Feature
5.8 Minimum Required Thickness of Concrete or Masonry 58

Retaining Walls where No Type 3 Prescriptive Measures
are Needed
5.9 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Retaining Wall 60
5.10 Prescriptive Skin Walls to Masonry Retaining Walls 63
5.11 Prescriptive Rock Dowels on Rock Cut Slopes 66

11
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this document is to give guidance on the application of prescriptive

measures to existing man-made slope features, i.e. man-made cut slopes, fill slopes and
retaining walls, in Hong Kong. The document is aimed at professionally qualified engineers,
who are conversant with the relevant geotechnical engineering principles.
Prescriptive measures comprise pre-determined, experience-based and suitably

conservative modules of works prescribed to man-made slope features to improve stability, or
reduce the risk of failure, without the need for detailed ground investigations and design
analyses. The guidelines set out in this document cover the application of prescriptive
measures to existing man-made slope features including soil cut slopes, soil cut slopes with
toe walls, rock slopes, concrete retaining walls, masonry retaining walls and fill slopes. This
document does not cover the use of standardised debris-resisting barriers for natural terrain
landslide risk mitigation (e.g. Sun & Lam, 2006).
General guidance on the application of prescriptive measures, together with the merits
and limitations of their use, is outlined in Chapter 2. The required qualifications of
personnel responsible for the design of prescriptive measures are also given in this chapter.
Chapters 3, 4 and 5 provide specific guidance on the application of different types of

prescriptive measures.
Guidance on other pertinent considerations in respect of the application of the

prescriptive design framework is given in Chapter 6.
12
2. APPLICATIONS
2.1 GENERAL
This Chapter provides general guidance on the application of prescriptive measures to

man-made slope features in Hong Kong. The merits and limitations of the prescriptive
approach, as well as the qualification requirements of the responsible personnel, are also
outlined. Specific guidance on the application of different types of prescriptive measures is
given in Chapters 3, 4 and 5.
2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
Many of the engineered man-made slopes in Hong Kong were designed using the
conventional analytical approach based on detailed ground investigations and design analyses.
However, the annual failure rate of engineered slopes, in particular those without robust
engineering measures such as unsupported soil cuts (e.g. slope cut back with no structural
support), is not low (Ho et al, 2003). Systematic landslide investigations carried out by the
Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) revealed that failures in engineered slopes were
mainly associated with problems including uncontrolled surface runoff and presence of
adverse geological features and/or adverse groundwater conditions. This reflects the
inherent uncertainties and limitations of the conventional analytical approach, which include
inadequate engineering geological input during ground investigation, poor detailing in slope
drainage provisions, etc.
As an alternative to the conventional analytical approach, the prescriptive approach

provides an experience-based method for the design of slope improvement works.
Prescriptive measures items are developed based on experience of their successful application
in the past, which have been tested in the field and refined with time, with emphasis given to
proper detailing having regard to the lessons learnt from landslide studies. It should be
acknowledged that many of the established slope improvement provisions, standard details,
etc. are by nature prescriptive.
The use of prescriptive measures is not a new concept in Hong Kong, as the
prescriptive approach has long been adopted in some types of man-made slope works.
These included rock slope stabilisation works (e.g. Brand et al, 1983; Dubin et al, 1986), and
surface recompaction of loose fill slopes (e.g. GCO, 1984; Knill et al 1999). The idea of
developing prescriptive measures for general use in improvement works on man-made slopes
in Hong Kong was first considered in the 1980s (Malone, 1985). The use of prescriptive
measures was formally recognised for retaining wall design in the second edition of
Geoguide 1 : Guide to Retaining Wall Design (GEO, 1993).
The use of prescriptive measures had also been recognised as one of the approaches to
geotechnical design in some overseas design codes. For example, Eurocode 7 (BSI, 2004)
allows the use of prescriptive measures in situations where calculation methods are not
available or are not necessary.
13
In 1995, the GEO embarked on the development of a prescriptive design framework

and suitable prescriptive measures for use on man-made soil cut slopes. The study was
aimed at formulating a prescriptive design methodology and promoting good practice in the
application of prescriptive measures to man-made soil cut slopes. Different items of works
were developed based on a study of local practice in slope improvement and upgrading works
and case studies on conventional analytical design for the Government’s Landslip Preventive
Measures (LPM) Programme. In particular, 107 soil-nailed cut slopes designed analytically
under the LPM Programme were reviewed to support the derivation of the prescriptive soil
nail design approach for soil cut slopes. After extensive consultation, the GEO disseminated
in 1996 the findings and recommendations of the study in the first edition of GEO Report
No. 56 : Application of Prescriptive Measures to Soil Cut Slopes (Wong & Pang, 1996).
With experience gained by practitioners and successful application of prescriptive

measures, the GEO carried out a series of further studies in 1998 to improve the guidelines
and extend the scope of application of prescriptive measures. In these studies, another 197
soil-nailed cut slopes designed analytically under the LPM Programme and in private
developments were reviewed. Based on the findings, the scope of application of prescriptive
measures as upgrading works to soil cut slopes was extended, and design guidelines were
suitably revised (Pun et al, 2000).
Another study was initiated in 1999 to develop a prescriptive approach involving the
use of reinforced concrete skin walls for upgrading existing masonry retaining walls. The
prescriptive approach was formulated based on a review of past cases of skin wall design for
upgrading existing masonry retaining walls (Wong & Pun, 1999).
In 1999, all the then prevailing guidelines on the application of prescriptive measures
were consolidated in the second edition of GEO Report No. 56 : Application of Prescriptive
Measures to Slopes and Retaining Walls (Wong et al, 1999). In response to the rising
expectations of the public in respect of slope appearance, guidelines for prescriptive use of
vegetation cover on soil cut slopes to improve slope appearance were also given in the Report.
In 2003, a study was carried out to review the use of prescriptive measures on rock cut
slopes and the findings were documented in GEO Report No. 161 : Guidelines on the Use of
Prescriptive Measures for Rock Cut Slopes (Yu et al, 2005). The use of prescriptive
approach in rock slope stabilisation works has been widely applied in local practice for many
years. The guidelines developed in 2003 were aimed at rationalising the design practice and
providing detailed technical guidance on the use of different items of prescriptive measures on
rock cut slopes. In the course of developing the guidelines, more than 100 rock slopes
upgraded under the LPM Programme were reviewed.
Another study was carried out in 2004 to extend the application of prescriptive soil
nails to concrete retaining walls, masonry retaining walls and soil cut slopes with toe walls.
Prescriptive soil nail design guidelines were derived based on the review and analysis of some
past cases in which soil nails designed by conventional analytical approach were used to
upgrade concrete retaining walls, masonry retaining walls and soil cut slopes with toe walls.
The guidelines are given in GEO Report No. 165 : Prescriptive Soil Nail Design for Concrete
and Masonry Retaining Walls (Lui & Shiu, 2005).
14
In 2007, prescriptive measures involving surface protection, surface drainage and

subsurface drainage were rationalised for use on fill slopes and retaining walls, with due
regard to the findings of systematic landslide studies undertaken by the GEO since 1997.
2.3 AREAS OF APPLICATION
Prescriptive measures have basically been developed for use under two categories of
slope improvement works, namely preventive maintenance works as defined in Geoguide 5 :
Guide to Slope Maintenance (GEO, 2003) and upgrading works. Some of the prescriptive
measures can also be applied as repair works to landslides.
The application of prescriptive measures as upgrading works should generally be

limited to slope features which have not experienced any major failure (i.e. with a volume of
detached or displaced groundmass ≥ 50 m3, or where a fatality has occurred), or multiple
minor failures (i.e. with a volume of detached or displaced groundmass < 50 m3). Where
there are major or multiple minor failures on the slope feature or at adjacent areas, the causes
of the failures should first be established and understood. Prescriptive measures may be
applied to the slope feature as upgrading works only if it can be established that all qualifying
criteria in geometry, engineering and geology, etc. are met (see Chapter 5 for details of the
qualifying criteria).
Prescriptive measures may not be applicable for upgrading retaining walls with
sizeable wall trees that are well anchored to the wall by their roots. In this case, the dead
weight of wall trees, together with the effect arising from wind loading on the wall trees, may
adversely affect the stability of the retaining wall. Designers should exercise due
engineering judgement in determining whether detailed analyses are warranted to evaluate the
effects of wall trees, taking into account the degree of anchorage of the tree roots.
If a slope feature that had been designed and checked to comply with the required
geotechnical standards fails, then the prescriptive approach may not be applicable and the
slope feature should be investigated to determine the necessary upgrading works.
2.4 MERITS AND LIMITATIONS OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
Prescriptive measures provide an effective and efficient approach for prescribing

improvement works to slope features. The following are the advantages of using
prescriptive measures over conventional analytical approach:
(a) Technical benefits in enhancing safety and reducing the risk

of failure, by incorporating simple, standardised and suit-
ably conservative items of works to deal with uncertainties
in design that are difficult to quantify, and using experience
based knowledge to supplement analytical design.
(b) Savings in time and human resources, by eliminating

detailed ground investigations and design analyses. The
savings can be significant, particularly in a safety screening
15
and improvement works programme in which a large

number of slopes have to be dealt with by limited available
staff resources.
There are, however, some inherent limitations if the prescriptive measures are used
alone. These include the following:
(a) The items to be prescribed are at best limited to application

to situations within the bounds of past experience.
(b) The approach may result in more failures than design by

detailed ground investigation and analysis, particularly for
slopes affected by adverse geological and groundwater
conditions that are not anticipated at the design stage.
Provided that designers acknowledge and work within these limitations, prescriptive
measures can be adopted as effective slope improvement works. Guidance given in this
document is aimed at minimising landslide risk associated with the above limitations.
The merits and limitations of the prescriptive measures listed above are not exhaustive.
Designers should compare design options based on prescriptive approach and those based on
conventional analytical approach in option assessments, and exercise due engineering
judgement to select the best engineering solution for the problem at hand.
2.5 TYPES OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
Prescriptive measures for slope features may broadly be classified into the following
three types according to the design objectives:
(a) Type 1: surface protection, local trimming and drainage –

This type of measures aims at improving surface protection,
surface drainage and local stability.
(b) Type 2: subsurface drainage – This type of measures aims at

improving subsurface drainage and providing contingency
subsurface drainage measures.
(c) Type 3: structural support – This type of measures aims at

providing support to improve overall feature stability.
Several items of works have been developed, including:
(i) soil nails for soil cut slopes,
(ii) soil nails for soil cut slopes with toe walls,
(iii) soil nails for concrete or masonry retaining walls,
(iv) skin walls for masonry retaining walls,

16
(v) concrete buttresses for rock cut slopes, and
(vi) rock dowels for rock cut slopes.
The three types of prescriptive measures may be applied in combination to different

types of slope features. A schematic diagram depicting some typical prescriptive measures
is shown in Figure 2.1.
2.6 SELECTION OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
In selecting the appropriate types and items of prescriptive measures, designers should
take due account of the nature of the slope-forming materials, geological conditions,
groundwater conditions, nature and locations of services, surface water pathways,
performance history of the slope, consequence in the event of failure, site constraints, together
with the type and level of improvement required. Designers should also exercise
engineering judgement when prescribing the measures recommended in this document, or in
applying other measures as deemed appropriate in order to suit the actual site conditions.
The common applications of different types of prescriptive measures to various types

of slope features are summarised in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Common Applications of Different Types of Prescriptive Measures
Types of Improvement Works

Types of Slope
Features Preventive Repair Works
Upgrading Works(1)
Maintenance Works to Landslides
Type 3, generally
Soil cut slopes(2)
supplemented by Types 1 and/or 2
Generally Types 1 and/or 2,
sometimes Type 3
Generally Types 1 and/or 2, Generally Types 1, 2 and 3
Rock cut slopes sometimes Type 3 used in combination
Type 3, generally
Retaining walls
supplemented by Types 1 and/or 2
Generally Types 1 and/or 2
Fill slopes Generally Types 1 and/or 2 See Note (3)
Notes: (1) Slope features should satisfy the qualifying criteria given in Chapter 5 for the application of
Type 3 prescriptive measures as upgrading works.
(2) Soil cut slopes include those slope features with toe walls.
(3) Fill slopes can be upgraded by the prescriptive approach of surface recompaction and
subsurface drainage provisions following the guidance given in the Geotechnical Manual for
Slopes (GCO, 1984), Works Bureau Technical Circular No. 13/99 (Works Bureau, 1999),
GEO Technical Guidance Note No. 7 (GEO, 2007a), GEO Report No. 225 (Fugro Scott
Wilson Joint Venture, 2008) and Pun & Urciuoli (2008). Types 1 and/or 2 prescriptive
measures may also be used in conjunction with surface recompaction.
17
(a) Soil Cut Slope or Fill Slope
(b) Rock Cut Slope
Figure 2.1 Schematic Diagram of Typical Prescriptive Measures for Man-made Slope Features
18
Types 1 and 2 prescriptive measures improve the surface protection and drainage
condition of slope features. In essence, these are preventive maintenance works which will
help reduce the rate of slope deterioration. As such, no qualifying criteria are needed.
Given that the surface protection and drainage provisions on many old slopes are deficient or
do not exist, designers should apply Types 1 and 2 prescriptive measures as preventive
maintenance works to any types of existing slope features wherever practical.
Type 1 and/or 2 prescriptive measures can also be used as part of the repair works to
landslides, in particular during the time shortly after landslide occurrence when the priority is
to remove immediate danger in order to protect life and property. Although Type 3
prescriptive measures are not commonly needed as emergency repair works to landslides,
their use cannot be precluded in certain circumstances. Considerations should be given to
the scale and mechanism of failure, the consequence of further landslides, and the
effectiveness of the prescriptive measures in respect of the recovery of the emergency
situation, and each case should be treated on its own merits.
Some items of prescriptive measures need to be installed into the ground. Designers
will need to check the land status. Should the proposed prescriptive measures need to be
extended into the adjoining land, designers should seek the agreement of the land owner as
necessary before implementation of the works.
2.7 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION
The recommended procedures for application of prescriptive measures to man-made

slope features are given in the following paragraphs:
(a) Undertake a thorough desk study and site reconnaissance in

accordance with Geoguide 2 : Guide to Site Investigation
(GCO, 1987) to determine whether there is sufficient
information on the ground and groundwater conditions to
facilitate the checking of the qualifying criteria for
application of prescriptive measures. For rock slopes, data
on discontinuities should be collected and assessed. It is
recommended that for preventive maintenance works and
upgrading works, an Engineer Inspection (EI) in accordance
with Geoguide 5 : Guide to Slope Maintenance (GEO, 2003)
should be carried out to identify areas requiring attention
prior to specifying the types and items of prescriptive
measures.
(b) Collect relevant information to construct a preliminary

geological model of the site as part of the desk study. It
should also include a review of the available records on
previous landslides, services, surface water pathways, slope
maintenance history, stability assessment records and
existing relevant ground investigation data. The site
inspection should always include checks to identify whether
any exposed or buried water-carrying services are present in
19
the vicinity of the slope feature (ETWB, 2006a). If such

services are present, checks should be carried out with the
owner to assess whether there have been any leakages from
the services, and recommendations to carry out regular
checks of the services should be made.
(c) Determine the geometry of the slope feature. For slope

features involving retaining walls, the wall thickness should
be determined by field measurements, such as topographic
survey and weephole probing. Field measurement of wall
geometry should still be carried out to verify the actual
geometry of the wall even where as-built drawings of the
wall showing the wall dimensions are available. Where the
thickness of the wall is found to vary approximately linearly
with wall height, the wall thickness at about the mid-height
of the wall may be taken as the average wall thickness.
For walls found to have a stepped back face, the average
wall thickness may be taken as the weighted average of the
thicknesses of all steps taking into account the step heights.
(d) Carry out minor ground investigation if the available

information is insufficient for the checking of qualifying
criteria with confidence. Simple investigation techniques
are often adequate, such as surface strippings on existing
hard surface cover to expose the slope material; trial pits at
wall toe to reveal the foundation and check the likelihood of
the presence of a high permanent groundwater level; trial
pits and GCO probing behind the wall to assess wall
thickness, fill extent and the nature of the retained ground.
Engineering judgement needs to be exercised regarding the
likely transient rise in groundwater level during rainfall
based on the results of the desk study, site inspection and
ground investigation.
(e) Review whether the slope feature satisfies the qualifying

criteria for application of prescriptive measures as
upgrading works (Chapter 5). A review of the qualifying
criteria is not required if the prescriptive measures are to be
used as preventive maintenance works.
(f) Identify potential problems that may affect the stability of

the slope feature based on the desk study, site inspection and
ground investigation. For slope features with past failures,
designers should seek to establish the probable causes of the
failures prior to specifying prescriptive measures.
(g) Determine the design objectives and required items of

prescriptive measures with reference to Chapters 3, 4 and 5.
Refer to the typical details of the relevant items of
20
prescriptive measures and follow the necessary procedures

in prescribing particular modules of works items. Then
specify the key dimensions for each of the items and the
extent of application to the slope feature in order to suit the
actual site conditions.
(h) Complete Part A of the “Record Sheets for Prescriptive

Measures on Man-made Slope Features” (Sheet 1,
Figure 2.2) in all cases of using prescriptive measures.
(i) Carry out construction reviews during various stages of

construction (see Section 2.8 for qualification requirements
of personnel and Section 6.7 for the coverage of
construction reviews).
(j) Confirm that the qualifying criteria for application of the

prescriptive measures are met. Review the suitability and
adequacy of the specified prescriptive measures based on
judgement and make suitable amendments as appropriate.
(k) Complete Part B of the “Record Sheets for Prescriptive

Measures on Man-made Slope Features” (Sheet 2,
Figure 2.2), giving sufficient documentary evidence on
verification that the slope feature satisfied the qualifying
criteria. Where prescriptive measures are to be used as
preventive maintenance works, record the recommended
works in the “Record Sheets for Engineer Inspections for
Maintenance” (see Appendix F of Geoguide 5 (GEO, 2003))
as well.
2.8 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PERSONNEL
Prescriptive measures for slope features should be designed by a geotechnical engineer

professionally qualified and experienced in Hong Kong (such as Registered Professional
Engineer (Geotechnical)), as should the construction review. The design should also be
reviewed independently by a geotechnical engineer professionally qualified and experienced
in Hong Kong. Input by qualified and experienced geotechnical professionals in designing
and reviewing prescriptive measures is crucial, as substantial professional judgement is
required in the verification of the qualifying criteria (e.g. adverse geological features, etc.),
selection of appropriate items of works and design review during the construction stage. All
of the above require geotechnical expertise and experience. Assistance from an experienced
engineering geologist should be sought by the responsible geotechnical professional on a need
basis.
In designing prescriptive measures for rock slopes, an alternative to a professionally

qualified geotechnical engineer is a professionally qualified engineering geologist (such as
Chartered Geologist) with sufficient and relevant experience in rock slope stabilisation works
in Hong Kong.
21
Part A - Prescriptive Measures on Man-made Slope Features

Slope Feature Ref. No. _______________________ Location (Address) _____________________________
Slope Feature Geometry Qualifying Criteria
Slope feature height: (m) 1. Within consequence and geometry limits Correct
Upslope gradient: (degrees) 2. Slope-forming material confirmed on site as acceptable Correct
Slope part – Slope height: (m) 3. No adverse geological conditions Correct
Slope gradient: (degrees) 4. No adverse groundwater conditions Correct
Wall part – Wall height: (m)
Consequence Category Records of Engineer Inspection

Facility Group affected: 1/2/3/4/5* Records of Engineer Inspection available: Yes / No *
Consequence-to-life Category: 1/2/3* If Yes, dates of inspection:
Economic Consequence Category: A/ B / C * HKGS Geology Map Sheet No.:
Records of Landslides
Date of Landslide Scar Height (m) Failure Volume (m3) Principal Causes of Failure Incident No.
1.
2.
3.
Type of Improvement Works

Preventive maintenance works Upgrading works Repair works to landslides
Types of Measures Design Objectives Prescriptive Measures Recommended

Type 1 Improve surface protection 1.1 Surface cover for soil slopes
1.2 Wire mesh/Face netting for rock slopes
1.3 Surface protection for retaining walls
Improve surface drainage
1.4 Surface drainage channels
1.5 Local trimming/filling
Improve local stability 1.6 Dentition
Type 2 Improve subsurface drainage 2.1 Raking drains
2.2 Toe drains
2.3 Counterfort drains
Contingency subsurface
drainage provisions 2.4 Relief drains
2.5 Drainage for hard surface cover
2.6 No-fines concrete cover
Type 3 Provide structural support 3.1 Soil nails for soil cut slopes (Range of ∆FOS: I+ / I / II / III *)
3.2 Soil nails for soil cut slopes with toe walls
(Range of ∆FOS: I+ / I / II / III *)
3.3 Soil nails for concrete or masonry retaining walls
(‘existing’ / ‘new’ * wall standard)
3.4 Skin walls for masonry retaining walls
3.5 Concrete buttresses for rock cut slopes
3.6 Rock dowels for rock cut slopes
Others (please specify) Other measures (please specify)
____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
Attachments:
Site location plan Photographs Records of Engineer Inspections
Plan, sketches/drawings showing locations/layout/key dimensions of proposed prescriptive measures
Designed by: Signature: Reviewed by: Signature:

Post: Date: Post: Date:
‘*’Delete where appropriate
Figure 2.2 Record Sheets for Prescriptive Measures on Man-made Slope Features (Sheet 1 of 2)
22
Part B - Design Amendments and Site Inspection Records

Designed Reviewed
Signature Signature
Design Amendments(1) Reasons for Amendments by (name by (name
(+ date) (+ date)
& post) & post)
Post-construction Review recommended: Yes No

If Yes, give actions to be taken (e.g. site inspections after heavy rainstorms to check adequacy of surface or
subsurface drainage measures). _____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Notes: (1) Sketches/drawings showing the design amendments should be attached.
(2) Sketches, notes and photographs which record the observations made during site inspections
prior to and during construction of prescriptive measures, as well as documentary evidence
to verify that the slope feature satisfied the qualifying criteria, should also be attached.
These should be marked clearly as ‘Site Inspection Records’.
Works commenced on Works completed on Works certified by (Name & Post) Signature and Date
__________________ ________________ ____________________________ _________________
Figure 2.2 Record Sheets for Prescriptive Measures on Man-made Slope Features (Sheet 2 of 2)
23
For preventive maintenance works to slope features that involve only surface
protection and surface drainage prescriptive measures, the prescriptive design and
construction review may also be carried out by a professionally qualified civil engineer
competent in site formation and drainage works. It is preferable, and often more cost-
effective, to have the same professional engineer who undertakes the Engineer Inspection of
the slope feature to also design the prescriptive measures as part of the preventive
maintenance recommendations.
Regular reviews should be carried out during construction. The professional engineer
who undertakes the construction reviews should be familiar with all the information collected
in the desk study and site reconnaissance, as well as the assumptions made in prescribing the
measures. The preferred arrangement is for the same professional engineer who designed
the prescriptive measures items to carry out the construction reviews (see also Section 6.7).
2.9 STATUS OF SLOPE FEATURES IMPROVED BY PRESCRIPTIVE

MEASURES
Where Type 3 prescriptive measures have been applied to a slope feature as upgrading
works in accordance with the recommendations of this document, the slope feature can be
taken to have been upgraded to the required safety standards.
Where prescriptive measures have been applied to a slope feature as preventive

maintenance works, or repair works to landslides, in accordance with the recommendations of
this document, the subject slope feature should not be taken to have been upgraded to the
required safety standards.
24
3. TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
3.1 GENERAL
This Chapter provides specific guidance on the application of Type 1 prescriptive

measures to slope features. Type 1 prescriptive measures are aimed at improving surface
protection, surface drainage and local stability of slope features. Type 1 prescriptive
measures will contribute to reduce the rate of deterioration of a slope feature and improve its
stability, in particular the margin of safety against local and shallow failures. The need for
these prescriptive measures should be considered in all cases of man-made slope features.
Table 3.1 shows a summary of the Type 1 prescriptive measures items and the
associated design objectives. The application of the items should be specified by designers
to best suit the slope feature type and actual site conditions.
Table 3.1 Items of Type 1 Prescriptive Measures
Type of Measures Design Objectives Item No. Items
1.1 Surface cover for soil slopes
Improve surface protection 1.2 Wire mesh/Face netting for rock slopes
1.3 Surface protection for retaining walls

Type 1
Improve surface drainage 1.4 Surface drainage channels
1.5 Local trimming/filling

Improve local stability
1.6 Dentition
3.2 TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
3.2.1 Surface Protection
(1) Surface Cover for Soil Slopes. A slope surface cover is necessary to prevent
undue surface infiltration and protect the soil slopes against erosion by surface runoff.
Where the existing slope surface cover is deficient, a new one should be provided depending
on the susceptibility of the slope to surface infiltration and erosion.
A vegetation cover may be used to provide surface protection to soil slopes. Since
the slope will be prone to surface erosion if the vegetation is not well established, the
provision of appropriate erosion control measures and suitable types of vegetation is essential
to the proper performance of the vegetation cover. Recommended measures for the
25
prescriptive use of vegetation cover for soil slopes of different gradients are given in
Table 3.2. Such measures are appropriate for both soil cut slopes and fill slopes, which have
an inadequately developed vegetation cover or a defective chunam cover which no longer
serves as a relatively impermeable cover effectively.
Table 3.2 Prescriptive Use of Vegetation Cover for Soil Slopes
Slope Gradients Erosion Control Measures Types of Suitable Vegetation
Temporary degradable Creepers, herbaceous plants,

Slope gradient ≤ 35°
erosion control mat(3) grass, shrubs and/or trees
Long-term non-degradable Creepers, herbaceous plants,

35° < slope gradient ≤ 45°
erosion control mat(3) grass, shrubs and/or trees
Long-term non-degradable Creepers, herbaceous plants,

45° < slope gradient ≤ 55°(2)
erosion control mat(3) and wire mesh grass and/or shrubs
Notes: (1) The measures given in this Table are based on known successful experience in Hong Kong.
Other measures as given in GEO Publication No. 1/2000 (GEO, 2000a) may be used where
considered appropriate.
(2) For soil cut slopes steeper than 55°, designers may adopt similar suite of erosion control
measures as slopes with gradients between 45° and 55° but close monitoring of vegetation
growth and its performance on erosion control during maintenance is recommended.
(3) Fixing details for erosion control mats should comply with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The prescriptive use of vegetation cover for soil slopes should be in conjunction with
other suitable items of prescriptive measures as recommended in this document. For the
area below and adjacent to downslope drainage channels with convergent surface water flow,
consideration should be given to providing an impermeable, erosion-resistant surface
protective cover, e.g. apron slabs of 0.5 m to 1 m in width on both sides of the channels, to
further strengthen the surface protection of the vegetated soil slope.
Shotcrete, or any other kinds of hard slope facings, may provide a hard surface cover
for soil slopes to prevent surface infiltration and protect the slopes against surface erosion.
Designers’ attention is drawn to the need to strike a suitable balance between slope safety and
slope appearance. The government policy on slope appearance is that any existing
vegetation on a slope should be maintained as far as possible (Works Bureau, 1993 & 2000).
Prior to adopting a shotcrete facing where this is deemed appropriate, any landslide
debris or loose materials on the slope surface should be removed to ensure proper contact
between the shotcrete and the slope. Applying shotcrete directly onto a slope surface with
active seepage must be avoided. A hard surface cover is generally not necessary for the less
weathered portion (PW50/90 zone or better, as defined in Geoguide 3 : Guide to Rock and
Soil Descriptions (GCO, 1988)) of a slope formed in weathered rock.
Where considered appropriate by designers, a vegetation cover may be used to replace

an existing hard surface cover (e.g. shotcrete) of a soil cut slope of consequence-to-life
Category 3 as defined in the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes (GCO, 1984), Works Bureau
26
Technical Circular No. 13/99 : Geotechnical Manual for Slopes - Guidance on Interpretation
and Updating (Works Bureau, 1999), and GEO Technical Guidance Note No. 15 : Guidelines
for Classification of Consequence-to-Life Category for Slope Features (GEO, 2007b).
However, for soil cut slopes of consequence-to-life Categories 1 and 2, the replacement of the
hard surface cover by vegetation cover should be done only where soil nailing works are also
carried out to upgrade the slope at the same time. For such cases, the soil nails should be
designed, either by means of the conventional analytical approach or the prescriptive
approach, to upgrade the slope to meet the required safety standards for a ‘new’ slope.
In assessing whether an existing hard surface cover can be replaced by a vegetation

cover, account should be taken of the average and local slope gradients, size of the upslope
catchment and likelihood of the presence of concentrated surface water flow, signs of seepage
from slope surface, records of past failure of the slope of concern as well as the adjoining
areas, likelihood of casualty should a failure occur, etc. Consideration should be given to the
potential socio-economic impact should failure occur.
(2) Wire Mesh/Face Netting for Rock Slopes. Apart from local zones of
closely-fractured rock mass which may warrant shotcreting, rock slopes generally do not
require a hard surface cover. Wire mesh (sometimes referred to as face netting) may be
fixed to a rock face to prevent small rockfalls, or hung loosely over a slope to guide rocks to
the slope toe. The lower end of the mesh should be no more than about 0.6 m above the
slope toe in order to prevent rock blocks from falling and bouncing onto the facility
(e.g. road) at the slope toe. These measures are generally effective for retaining moderately
to highly fractured rock blocks with dimensions up to about 0.6 m to 1 m, but they may not be
suitable for retaining highly to completely weathered materials.
The likely volume/extent of rock mass to be retained and the minimum typical block
size of the rock face would govern the choice of wire mesh. Galvanised and PVC coated
double-twisted hexagonal wire mesh (e.g. 2.2 mm diameter wire with 80 mm x 60 mm
openings) would be suitable for use on steep cut faces to control rockfalls with dimensions of
less than about 0.6 m. For larger rock blocks, consideration may be given to the use of more
robust forms of face netting, such as cable nets or ring nets (Muhunthan et al, 2005), as
judged appropriate by the designers.
The upper edge of the wire mesh should be placed close to the potential rockfall source
so that the blocks will have little momentum when they impact on the mesh. The mesh
should be anchored in accordance with the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing
No. C2205 : Fixing of Wire Mesh to Rock Face. The mesh should be anchored at
intermediate points by U-hooks or similar at a spacing of about 3 m. Such spacing will
generally permit the detached rock blocks to work their way down to the slope toe rather than
accumulating behind the mesh. Near the bottom of the slope, U-hooks with an extension
connector should be provided at the lowest row so that they can be loosened and removed
from the anchored end to enable the mesh to be lifted for removal of the detached rock blocks.
For roadside slopes with unprotected steep rock faces of consequence-to-life

Category 1, the provision of wire mesh is strongly recommended for protection against minor
rockfalls. Nevertheless, judgement should be exercised in identifying cases where wire
mesh is not warranted, e.g. presence of massive, very tightly-jointed and not adversely jointed
rock where there is no credible minor rockfall potential, near the tapering ends of big rock
27
cuts where the reduced height and setback from the carriageway would mean any minor
rockfalls would not reach the road, mixed rock/soil slopes where wire mesh is only warranted
on the ‘hard-rock’ portion with credible rockfall potential, etc.
(3) Surface Protection for Retaining Walls. Surface protection works to retaining
walls include sealing of cracks on the surfaces of concrete walls, sealing of cracked mortar
joints or missing pointing on masonry walls, and repairing of defective joint sealant on
concrete walls. Loose or dislocated blocks of pointed masonry walls should be fixed with
cement mortar. Where there are concerns regarding surface infiltration at the crest of a
retaining wall, the crest area should be paved.
3.2.2 Surface Drainage
Poor surface drainage provisions, such as inadequate number of drainage channels,

undersized drainage channels and poor channel layout and detailing, are major causes of
landslides including washouts, particularly local failures. Where the existing provisions are
deficient, new or additional surface drainage channels with an adequate layout and proper
detailing should be provided to improve the hydraulic capacity of the drainage system and
minimise the risk of blockage.
A review of all potential surface water pathways that could affect the slope feature
should be carried out prior to the design of prescriptive surface drainage measures. Potential
convergent surface water flow should be diverted away from the slope feature where possible
or should be directed downslope, preferably with no change in the flow direction, by means of
drains with adequate capacity.
Consideration should be given to providing an upstand for the crest drainage channel
of a slope feature to minimise possible uncontrolled spillage of surface water, and increasing
the channel gradient and size. Details of the upstand are shown in the latest version of
CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2509 : Shotcrete to Upslope Area and Crest Channel with
Upstand. However, the possibility of local ponding behind the upstand at the crest channel
should be considered. Where an upstand is provided, the gradient along the alignment of the
channel should exceed 1 in 10. Similar details may be adopted for the berm channels, except
that the height of the upstand may be reduced.
Special attention should be given to the layout and detailing of the surface drainage
system to ensure adequate flow capacity and containment of flow within the channels,
together with adequate discharge capacity at the downstream side. For instance, abrupt
changes in the flow directions, which can be conducive to spilling or overflow along the
channels, should be avoided. Environmental factors, such as potential sources of
concentrated flow of surface water which may adversely affect slope stability, should be dealt
with properly. Further discussions on the role of environmental factors in slope instability
are given by Au & Suen (1991a & b).
Junctions of surface drainage channels should be properly detailed to avoid excessive

turbulence and splashing. A smooth transition of alignment should be provided at the
junction of berm channels and down channels where practicable in order to improve the
hydraulics of surface water flow. Baffle walls, or catchpits, should be provided at junctions
28
of channels, if deemed necessary, to minimise spilling or overflow. Baffle walls may be

preferred as catchpits could be susceptible to blockage (e.g. by erosion debris or dead
vegetation).
Unless herringbone drains are provided, downslope drainage channels should

preferably be spaced at a horizontal distance not exceeding 15 m. With the provision of
herringbone drains, an upper limit of about 30 m should be adopted where practicable,
integrating with the locations of existing manholes, catchpits, etc.
In the case of a rock slope, excavations in rock for the construction of drainage
channels will be tedious. Alternative typical details of the crest flat drainage channel are
shown in Figure 3.1. For a steeply inclined rock face, the size of catchment for the rock face
itself is generally small. Half-round channels may be used on berms to minimise
excavations in rock. If the amount of surface runoff on the rock face is not large, berm
channels which require excavations in rock may be omitted. However, the berms should still
be paved with concrete to prevent water ingress into any open rock joints. The use of
stepped channels on steep rock slopes may result in spillage of water. Site-specific designed
downpipes are an alternative to stepped channels.
More guidance on the improvement and design of surface drainage is given in

GCO (1984), Ho et al (2003), GEO (2006) and Hui et al (2007).
Notes: (1) Dimensions in millimetres unless stated otherwise.

(2) Dimension U to be determined by designers to suit actual site conditions.
(3) Slope crest channel with upstand should have a minimum gradient of 1:10.
(4) The concrete channel should be cast against insitu ground in order to avoid the use of
external formwork.
Figure 3.1 Alternative Flat Drainage Channel Details to Minimise Excavation in Rock
29
3.2.3 Local Stability
(1) Local Trimming/Filling. Locally over-steepened areas or depressions (e.g. land-

slide scars) may be trimmed or filled with no-fines concrete (Figure 3.2) to restore the slope
profile in order to avoid local instability from developing. In particular, local failure of a
portion of a rock slope may form an overhang on the face which will constitute a hazard.
Loose rocks may be removed by hand-held scaling bars. However, removal should
only be done where it is certain that the new face will be stable and there is no risk of
undermining the upper part of the rock slope. Designers should re-examine and re-assess the
stability of the rock face following local trimming and scaling of certain loose rocks.
Removal of loose rocks on the slope face may not be effective where the rock is highly
fractured. Other measures such as use of wire mesh may be considered in such cases.
(2) Dentition. In the case of rock slopes, dentition can be used to backfill slots
resulting from trimming of bands of soft materials, or to support an overhang formed on the
rock face. Typical details of dentition works are shown in the latest version of CEDD
Standard Drawing No. C2204 : Typical Rock Face Dentition. A grout pipe may be provided
for subsequent grouting to ensure good contact between the overhang and the supporting
concrete dentition.
30
B A/2
(a) At Upper Part of Slope

A
A/2
(b) At Lower Part of Slope or on Berm

(2) For A < 1.5 m , B = 0.3 m minimum. For A ≥ 1.5 m, B = 0.5 m minimum.
(3) The geotextile filter behind the no-fines concrete block may be extended further upslope
to cover seepage/potential seepage areas as specified by designers.
(4) Where it is deemed necessary to improve the stability of the no-fines concrete block, hot
dip galvanised high yield deformed bars, typically 2 m long, 25 mm in diameter grouted
in 50 mm diameter holes at spacing not exceeding 2 m in both vertical and horizontal
directions, may be provided to tie the no-fines concrete block to the slope.
Figure 3.2 No-fines Concrete Backfill to Local Areas

31
4.1 GENERAL

measures to slope features. Type 2 prescriptive measures are aimed at improving subsurface
drainage. Type 2 prescriptive measures will contribute to prevent the build-up of water
pressure behind hard surface covers of slopes or structural facings of retaining walls, as well
as to lower the groundwater level behind the slope features. The need for these prescriptive
measures should be considered in all cases of man-made slope features.
Table 4.1 shows a summary of the Type 2 prescriptive measures items and the
associated design objectives. The application of the items should be specified by designers
to best suit the type of slope feature and actual site conditions.
Type of Measures Design Objectives Item No. Items
2.1 Raking drains
2.2 Toe drains
2.3 Counterfort drains

Type 2 Improve subsurface drainage
2.4 Relief drains
2.5 Drainage for hard surface cover
2.6 No-fines concrete cover
4.2 TYPE 2 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES
4.2.1 Subsurface Drainage
Where the build-up of groundwater pressure is likely to be so rapid that drainage from
the slope surface alone may not be adequate to avoid failure, subsurface drainage provisions
should be provided.
(1) Raking Drains. Raking drains can be effective in lowering the groundwater
level and relieving the groundwater pressure at depth. Three items of prescriptive measures
may be used:
32
(a) At the upper part of a slope feature (Figure 4.1) – this is to

control the development of a potential perched water table
in a more permeable soil stratum overlying a less permeable
stratum.
(b) At the lower part of a slope feature (Figure 4.2) – this is to

control the transient rise of the main groundwater level
during/following rainfalls.
(c) At specific seepage or potential seepage areas – this is to

facilitate drainage and relieve the water pressures at specific
locations where persistent seepage or preferential flowpaths
are present.
Raking drains may also be prescribed as contingency measures to cater for

uncertainties in the groundwater conditions and possible adverse effects of subsurface
seepage (e.g. from leaking services) on slope stability.
u
Notes: (1) For details of raking drains, see the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing
No. C2403 : Typical Arrangement of Raking Drains.
(2) The spacing of the raking drains is nominal and may be varied to suit actual site
conditions as determined by designers.
Figure 4.1 Raking Drains at Upper Part of Slope

33
Notes: (1) For details of raking drains, see the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing
No. C2403 : Typical Arrangement of Raking Drains.
(2) The spacing of the raking drains is nominal and may be varied to suit actual site
conditions as determined by designers.
Figure 4.2 Raking Drains at Lower Part of Slope
If raking drains are used in conjunction with soil nails on a slope feature, the drains
should be oriented and/or lengthened to intercept any groundwater behind the soil-nailed zone
as deemed appropriate by designers. The raking drains should be installed after all the soil
nails at elevations higher than the raking drains have been grouted.
Further technical guidance on the construction, maintenance and performance of

raking drains can be found in GCO (1984), Lam et al (1989) and Martin et al (1995).
34
(2) Toe Drains. For slope features affected by high groundwater level,
construction of toe drains (Figure 4.3) provides an effective means of lowering the
groundwater level close to the lower part of the slope face. These may be used in
combination with other Type 2 prescriptive measures to facilitate subsurface drainage, or as
contingency provisions.
(3) Counterfort Drains. For slope features which are liable to a rapid build-up of
groundwater pressures, such as development of a perched water table in a relatively thin
surface mantle of loose colluvium overlying weathered rock (e.g. Pun & Li, 1993;
Wong & Ho, 1995), the use of raking drains alone may not necessarily provide sufficient
drainage capacity to quickly relieve the transient groundwater pressures to avoid failure. In
such cases, counterfort drains (Figure 4.4) could be used, either on their own or in
combination with raking drains.
To be more effective, counterfort drains should be extended into the underlying less
permeable ground. If this cannot be achieved, raking drains should be provided to intercept
any groundwater flow beneath the counterfort drains. Particular care should be taken to
ensure that the watertightness of the ‘impermeable’ membrane at the base of the drain is
achieved in construction.
With regard to construction safety considerations, the use of counterfort drains

exceeding 2.5 m in depth is not recommended. It is advisable that, before commencement of
the works, some trial pits should be excavated over the crest of the slope feature to confirm
the subsoil conditions and the suitability of using these items of prescriptive measures.
(4) Relief Drains. Where there are signs of potential seepage sources (e.g. rock
joints with signs of seepage) behind a hard surface cover, relief drains should be provided as
shown in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2404 : Relief Drain Details. It
is important to avoid sliding instability at the interface between the rock and the geosynthetic
material by providing proper anchorage by the use of nails or plaster. The drainage material
should be covered by an impermeable fabric with a hole cut through to insert a PVC flange
and pipe for drainage.
(5) Drainage for Hard Surface Cover. Inadequate drainage behind hard surface
cover (e.g. shotcrete) can be a contributory cause of failure on slopes with subsurface seepage
flow. Geosynthetic composite drainage material can be installed behind the hard surface
cover, together with the provision of a no-fines concrete toe (Figure 4.5) or relief drains
(Figure 4.6) in order to minimise the build-up of water pressure. This is particularly
important at locations where preferential flowpaths, such as soil pipes, erosion channels or
holes left behind by rotted tree roots or burrowing animals, exist in the ground behind the
hard surface cover.
It is important to avoid sliding failure at the interface of the soil and geosynthetic
composite drainage material by providing proper anchorage and ensuring that there are no
significant gaps at the interface which may result in erosion. The spacing of the
geosynthetic composite drainage material as shown in Figures 4.5 and 4.6 may be adjusted on
site to suit the locations of seepage and preferential flowpaths, provided that the overall area
of the surface covered by the drainage material is within about one-third of the area of the
hard surface cover.
35
It should be noted that geosynthetic composite drainage material has a limited drainage
capacity but it is suitable for relieving groundwater pressures in the soil close to the hard
surface cover. Where a larger drainage capacity is required, the use of a no-fines concrete
cover (see Item (6) below) should be considered. Installation of geosynthetic composite
drainage material may be difficult if the slope surface is irregular, e.g. at landslide scars. In
such cases, the use of no-fines concrete may be more convenient.
Where the existing provisions are deficient, new or additional weepholes should be
provided for slopes with hard surface cover and for retaining walls. Where skin walls are
constructed on existing retaining walls, the existing weepholes should be extended through
any new skin walls.
Notes: (1) Toe drain details should be similar to that of cut-off drain given in the latest version of
CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2401 : Cut-off Drain Details, except that non-woven
polypropylene geotextile filter should be placed against both side walls of the trench.
(2) If required, the compacted backfill to the drains may be replaced by concrete or shotcrete
in order to blend in with the surrounding hard surface.
Figure 4.3 Toe Drain

36
Isometric View
Section A-A
Notes: (1) Details of counterfort drain should be similar to cut-off drain given in the latest version of
CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2401 : Cut-off Drain Details, except that the coarse
granular filter material is to be replaced by no-fines concrete and the non-woven
polypropylene geotextile filter should be placed against both side walls of the trench.
(2) If required, the compacted backfill to the drains may be replaced by concrete or shotcrete
in order to blend in with the surrounding hard surface.
Figure 4.4 Counterfort Drains at Upper Part of Slope

37
Elevation
d
Section A-A

(2) The width and spacing of the geosynthetic composite drainage material (or similar) may
be varied to suit actual site conditions, e.g. closer spacing in areas of observed or potential
seepage.
(3) The height of the geosynthetic composite drainage material (or similar), Hd, to be
specified by designers.
(4) Non-woven polypropylene geotextile filter should be provided between the no-fines
concrete toe berm and the soil at seepage/potential seepage areas.
Figure 4.5 Drainage for Hard Surface Cover (with No-fines Concrete Toe)
38
Elevation
d
Section A-A

(2) The width and spacing of the geosynthetic composite drainage material (or similar) may
be varied to suit actual site conditions, e.g. closer spacing in areas of observed or potential
seepage.
(3) The height of the geosynthetic composite drainage material (or similar), Hd, to be
specified by designers.
(4) If Hd > 5 m, relief drains should also be provided at mid-height of the geosynthetic
composite drainage material (or similar).
Figure 4.6 Drainage for Hard Surface Cover (with Relief Drains)
39
(6) No-fines Concrete Cover. No-fines concrete has good drainage capacity and
its dead weight offers some stabilisation effects. It can conveniently be built against
irregular ground profile to give a uniform surface, and if used properly in conjunction with a
geotextile filter or geosynthetic composite drainage material, it is effective in controlling
slope surface instability and erosion (Figure 4.7).
Loose material on the slope surface should be removed before placing the no-fines
concrete. Care should be exercised during placement of no-fines concrete to avoid
damaging and blocking the geotextile filter or geosynthetic composite drainage material,
which is required to prevent internal soil erosion. If necessary, an additional protective layer
of geotextile filter or sand bags may be placed over the geotextile filter or geosynthetic
composite drainage material to protect it from damage during casting of the no-fines concrete.
The no-fines concrete cover should be founded on firm ground to ensure stability.
Benching of the concrete into the slope should be considered to improve the stability,
especially on steep slopes. Galvanised steel dowel bars may also be used to tie the no-fines
concrete block and geotextile filter (or geosynthetic composite drainage material) to the slope.
40
(a) At Upper Part of Slope
(b) At Lower Part of Slope or on Berm

(2) Where it is deemed necessary to improve the stability of the no-fines concrete block, hot
dip galvanised high yield deformed bars, typically 2 m long, 25 mm in diameter grouted
in 50 mm diameter holes at spacing not exceeding 2 m in both vertical and horizontal
directions, may be provided to tie the no-fines concrete cover to the slope.
Figure 4.7 No-fines Concrete Cover

41
5.1 GENERAL

measures to slope features. Type 3 prescriptive measures are aimed at improving the
stability of a slope feature by providing structural support in the form of soil nails, skin walls,
concrete buttresses or rock dowels where appropriate. The guidance given is not applicable
to newly-formed slope features.
Table 5.1 shows a summary of Type 3 prescriptive measures items and the associated
areas of application. The type, extent and details of application of the items should be
specified by designers to suit the actual site conditions.
Type of Measures Areas of Application Item No. Items
Soil cut slopes 3.1 Soil nails
Soil cut slopes with toe walls 3.2 Soil nails
Concrete or masonry retaining walls 3.3 Soil nails

Type 3
Masonry retaining walls 3.4 Skin walls
Rock cut slopes 3.5 Concrete buttresses
Rock cut slopes 3.6 Rock dowels
5.2 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES
5.2.1 Qualifying Criteria
Soil nails have been used in upgrading a vast number of substandard soil cut slopes in
Hong Kong with a good track record in terms of slope performance (Pun & Urciuoli, 2008).
Prescriptive soil nail layouts have been standardised based on a review of past designs. Soil
cut slopes are deemed to satisfy the required safety standards with the prescriptive soil nails
applied as upgrading works, provided that the slopes satisfy the qualifying criteria given in
Table 5.2. In the case where not all the qualifying criteria are satisfied, the prescriptive
measures may be used as preventive maintenance works.
42
Table 5.2 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil Nails to Soil Cut Slopes
Qualifying Criteria for Application

Types of
Slope
Improvement Facility
Works Group Geometry Engineering and Geology
Affected(1)
Preventive
maintenance (Qualifying criteria not applicable)
works
Group 1 1. Apply only to existing soil cut slopes(3)

judged to require improvement works.
Slope feature height, H ≤ 10 m
Group 2 2. Apply to slopes confirmed on site as
comprising colluvial, residual or saprolitic
soils of granitic or volcanic origin that do
Upgrading not contain loose or soft materials. Also
Group 3 Slope feature height, H ≤ 13 m apply to slopes comprising other materials
works
with similar shear strength properties, with
the exception of alluvial and marine
Group 4 deposits and sedimentary rocks containing
argillaceous layers.
Slope feature height, H ≤ 18 m
Group 5 3. Apply only if no observable or recorded
adverse geological material (e.g. signifi
-cantly kaolinised granite and volcanics,
Group 1 weathered dykes, and sedimentary layers
within volcanic formations) and adverse
Height of landslide scar ≤ 10 m
discontinuities (e.g. adversely-oriented,
and landslide volume ≤ 100 m3
persistent, clay-infilled or silt-infilled
Group 2 discontinuities, pre-existing shear surfaces
or zones, and well-developed discontinu
Repair works Height of landslide scar ≤ 15 m -ities that are slickensided or heavily
Group 3 coated with dark minerals or kaolinite).
to landslides(2) and landslide volume ≤ 200 m3
4. Apply only if no observable or recorded
Group 4 adverse groundwater condition, i.e. no
Height of landslide scar ≤ 20 m signs of a high permanent(4) groundwater
and landslide volume ≤ 400 m3 table over a significant area of the slope.
Group 5 As a general guide, the average pore water
pressure ratio, ru, should not exceed 0.1.
Notes: (1) The various facility groups are given in GEO Technical Guidance Note No. 15 (GEO, 2007b).
(2) When specifying prescriptive soil nails for emergency repair works to landslides,
considerations should be given to the scale and mechanism of slope failure, the potential
consequence of further landslides, and the effectiveness of the prescriptive measures in respect
of the recovery of the emergency situation.
(3) Soil cut slopes include cuttings in a weathered rock mass in the Residual Soil, PW0/30 and/or
PW30/50 zone as defined in Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988), with or without any overlying
colluvium. Where substandard fill (or loose or soft colluvium) is present and where the size
of the fill body (or colluvium mass) meets GEO’s slope registration criteria, the fill body (or
colluvium mass) should be dealt with using the conventional analytical approach.
(4) ‘Permanent’ refers to ‘typical wet season water level’ as described in the Geotechnical Manual
for Slopes (GCO, 1984).
(5) These qualifying criteria are also applicable to the application of prescriptive soil nails to soil
cut slopes with toe walls mentioned in Section 5.3.
43
5.2.2 Soil Nail Layout
Prescriptive soil nail design should be carried out in accordance with the following
steps:
(a) Determine the required range of increase in factor of safety

(∆FOS) for the slope, viz:
(i) range I for a large ∆FOS (0.3 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.5),
(ii) range II for a moderate ∆FOS (0.1 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.3), and
(iii) range III for a small ∆FOS (0 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.1).
The required range of ∆FOS should be determined by

designers based on professional judgement and the guidance
given in Table 5.3. If the required ∆FOS exceeds 0.5, the
slope is outside the bounds of previous experience and
hence is beyond the scope of application of prescriptive soil
nails.
(b) Determine the standard soil nail layout from Table 5.4,
based on the required range of ∆FOS and the maximum
effective height of slope feature, He, using the following
equation:
He = H (1 + 0.35 tan β) + q / 20 .................(5.1)
where H = slope feature height, i.e. the maximum height

of slope feature from toe to crest (m)
β = gradient of terrain above slope feature (degree)
q = surcharge loading at slope crest expressed as
an equivalent uniform pressure (kPa)
Figure 5.1 shows the prescriptive soil nailing to a soil cut slope. The soil nail layout,
derived from prescriptive design based on the consideration of the maximum effective height
of the slope, may be applied to the entire slope. Alternatively, the slope may be split into
different sections where there is a large variation in height along the slope, with the soil nail
layout for each section designed according to the maximum effective height for the respective
sections. This would enhance the cost-effectiveness of the prescriptive designs, especially
for large soil cut slopes.
44
Table 5.3 Stability Enhancement for Application of Prescriptive Soil Nails to Soil Cut Slopes
‘New’ Slope Standard(1)
Consequence-to-life
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3

(2)
Failure consequence category
Economic Consequence
Category A Category B Category C
Observed or recorded past instability(3) Ma Mi No Ma Mi No Ma Mi No
Required range of ∆FOS(4) I+ I I I II II II II III
‘Existing’ Slope Standard(1)
Consequence-to-life
Failure consequence category
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Observed or recorded past instability(3) Ma Mi No Ma Mi No Ma Mi No
Required range of ∆FOS(4) I II II II II III II III III
Notes: (1) The conditions for designating a slope as a ‘new’ slope or as an ‘existing’ slope are stipulated
in the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes (GCO, 1984) and Works Bureau Technical Circular
No. 13/99 (Works Bureau, 1999).
(2) Reference should be made to GCO (1984), Works Bureau (1999), and GEO Technical
Guidance Note No. 15 (GEO, 2007b) for the classification of consequence-to-life and
economic consequence categories of slope features. The choice of the required range of
increase in factor of safety (∆FOS) should be based on the higher consequence of either
consequence-to-life category or economic consequence category, if the slope does not satisfy
the conditions for an ‘existing’ slope.
(3) Past instability includes both recorded and observed failures. ‘Ma’, ‘Mi’ and ‘No’ refer to
slopes with major (i.e. failure volume ≥ 50 m3, or where a fatality has occurred), minor
(i.e. failure volume < 50 m3) and no past instability respectively.
(4) ‘I’, ‘II’, and ‘III’ refer to the following ranges of ∆FOS: 0.3 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.5, 0.1 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.3
and 0 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.1, respectively. ‘I+’ is similar to ‘I’ except that Type 2 prescriptive
measures (e.g. raking drains) must be adopted as contingency provisions.
(5) Slopes that require a ∆FOS of over 0.5 are beyond the scope of application of prescriptive
measures.
45
Table 5.4 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Soil Cut Slopes
Standard I II III
Soil Nail
He φr φh
(m) (mm) (mm)
Layouts N L (m) Sh (m) N L (m) Sh (m) N L (m) Sh (m)
(a) 3 25 100 2 4 1.5 2 4 1.5 2 4 1.5

(b) 4 25 100 2 5 1.5 2 5 1.5 2 5 1.5
(c) 5 25 100 3 6 1.5 3 6 1.5 3 6 2.0
(d) 6 25 100 4 8 1.5 3 8 1.5 3 7 1.5
(e) 7 25 100 4 9 1.5 4 8 1.5 3 7 1.5
(f) 8 25 100 5 9 1.5 4 8 1.5 3 8 1.5
(g) 9 25 100 5 10 1.5 4 9 1.5 4 8 1.5
(h) 10 25 100 6 10 1.5 4 10 1.5 4 9 1.5
(i) 12 32 100 6 11 1.5 5 10 1.5 5 10 2.0
(j) 14 32 100 6 12 1.5 5 11 1.5 6 10 2.0
(k) 16 32 100 7 12 1.5 7 12 2.0 6 11 2.0
(l) 18 32 100 8 13 1.5 8 12 2.0 7 12 2.0
(m) 20 32 100 10 14 2.0 9 12 2.0 8 12 2.0
(n) 22 32 100 11 14 2.0 10 12 2.0 8 12 2.0
(o) 24 32 100 12 14 2.0 10 12 2.0 8 12 2.0
(p) 25 32 100 12 15 2.0 10 12 2.0 8 12 2.0
Notes: (1) He is the maximum effective height of slope feature, φr the soil nail diameter, φh the drillhole
diameter, Sh the horizontal spacing of soil nails, and L the length of soil nails.
(2) For He between any of the two consecutive values in the above table, the soil nail layout
corresponding to the higher He value should be adopted.
(3) N is the number of soil nails per vertical column required at the critical section, i.e. the section
with the maximum effective height, He. At other parts of the slope, soil nails should be
provided at vertical and horizontal spacing similar to that at the critical section.
Alternatively, different soil nail layouts according to the He of that part of the slope may be
adopted.
(4) The vertical spacing (Sv) of soil nails, as defined in Figure 5.1, should not be less than 1.5 m.
If necessary, designers may adjust N and Sh to achieve the required minimum Sv value. In so
doing, the adjusted layout should maintain the same soil nail density as that of the layout
given in this Table, with Sh ≥ 1.0 m. Where the designers opt for a specific Sv value
(e.g. 2 m) to suit site constraints or other considerations, the soil nail layout may be adjusted
by maintaining the same soil nail density as that given in this Table, with Sh ≥ 1.0 m.
(5) Soil nails should be evenly spaced over the slope face.
(6) Steel reinforcement for soil nails shall be of Type 2 high yield deformed bars.
(7) ‘I’, ‘II’ and ‘III’ refer to the following ranges of ∆FOS: 0.3 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.5, 0.1 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.3
and 0 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.1, respectively.
(8) If rock is encountered in the process of drilling such that part of the soil nails will be installed
in rock (e.g. installation through a PW50/90 zone or better, see Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988)),
designers may exercise professional judgement to reduce the soil nail length.
(9) Designers should check the land status to establish whether the soil nails would encroach into
the adjoining land and, if so, whether this is acceptable to the land owner.
(10) Slope sections that are lower than 2 m in height do not usually require reinforcement by soil
nails.
46
Elevation
Section A-A Section A-A (Alternative arrangement)
Notes: (1) L = Length of soil nail; H = Slope feature height; D = Depth of soil-nailed zone;
β = Gradient of terrain above slope feature.
(2) N, L, Sh, Sv and other dimensions for the soil nails are given in Table 5.4 based on the type
of soil nail layout as specified by designers.
(3) The alternative soil nail arrangement may be adopted as appropriate to suit actual site
conditions.
Figure 5.1 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Soil Cut Slope
5.2.3 Soil Nail Head and Facing
Soil nail heads have to be provided in conjunction with the prescriptive soil nails.
Sizes of prescriptive soil nail heads are given in Table 5.5. Typical details of soil nail heads
47
for use on slopes with vegetation cover are shown in the latest version of CEDD Standard
Drawing No. C2106/2 : Soil Nail Head Details, and Nos. C2106/4 and C2106/5 : Details of
Recessed Soil Nail Head. Typical details of soil nail heads for a gently inclined slope given
in Figure 5.6 of Geoguide 7 : Guide to Soil Nail Design and Construction (GEO, 2008) may
be used as appropriate.
For vegetated slopes steeper than 45°, a wire mesh structurally connected to the soil
nail heads should be provided. The structural connection of the wire mesh to the soil nail
heads is shown in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawings Nos. C2511/1 and C2511/2 :
Fixing Details for Erosion Control Mat and Wire Mesh with Soil Nails. The wire mesh
should be continuous and span across soil nail heads.
Typical details of a soil nail head for use on slopes with hard surface cover are shown
in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2106/3 : Soil Nail Head Details for
Sprayed Concrete Slope Surface.
For soil cut slopes steeper than 65°, reinforced concrete tie beams embedded in the
slope, instead of isolated soil nail heads, should be used. Typical details of the tie beams for
use on slopes with prescriptive soil nails are shown in the latest version CEDD Standard
Drawing No. C2525 : Details of Embedded Tie Beam for Steep Cut Slopes.
Table 5.5 Sizing of Prescriptive Soil Nail Heads

Square Soil Nail Head Size (mm x mm)
Geology
Slope gradient < 55° 55° ≤ slope gradient ≤ 65°
Highly decomposed granitic or volcanic rock. 600 x 600 600 x 600
Other soils including colluvial, residual or

completely decomposed materials of granitic and 800 x 800 600 x 600
volcanic origin, and weathered sedimentary rocks.
Notes: (1) The minimum thickness of the soil nail head should be 250 mm.
(2) For slope gradients greater than 65°, embedded tie beams instead of isolated soil nail heads
should be used (Shiu & Chang, 2005).
5.2.4 Corrosion Protection
Corrosion protection measures have to be designed for the steel reinforcement of

prescriptive soil nails. As normally no ground investigation and hence no soil aggressivity
testing is carried out for sites to be applied with prescriptive soil nails, the aggressivity of the
soil at the site should be classified based on an assessment of the site setting, development
history, as well as the nature and extent of utilities affecting the site in accordance with the
guidance given in Section 4.3.2 of Geoguide 7 (GEO, 2008). The design of corrosion
protection measures should follow the guidance given in Section 5.5 of Geoguide 7.
Guidance on the possible use of materials other than steel reinforcement for corrosion
protection is given in Section 5.12.4 of Geoguide 7, which may be considered based on the
concept of ‘life-cycle costing’.
48
5.3 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES WITH TOE WALLS
Soil nail layouts for soil cut slopes with toe walls have been standardised based on a
review of past designs. Soil cut slopes with toe walls are deemed to satisfy the required
safety standards with the prescriptive soil nails applied as upgrading works, provided that the
slopes satisfy the qualifying criteria given in Table 5.2 and the additional qualifying criteria in
Table 5.6. In the case where not all the qualifying criteria are satisfied, the prescriptive
measures may be used as preventive maintenance works.
Table 5.6 Additional Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil Nails to Soil
Cut Slopes with Toe Walls as Upgrading Works
Subjects Qualifying Criteria for Application
1. The slope feature should be a soil cut slope with a concrete or masonry
retaining wall at the toe.
2. For concrete toe wall, it should be a mass concrete wall, or a reinforced
concrete wall of L-shaped, inverted L-shaped or inverted T-shaped as shown
Slope and wall type
in Figure 5.2.
3. For masonry toe wall, it should be of a condition no worse than wall
condition Class B and no worse than observed state of wall deformation
No. (2) as defined in Tables 5.7 and 5.8 respectively.
Gradient of terrain in front of slope feature, α (averaged over a horizontal

Terrain profile
distance of four times the wall thickness) should not be greater than 10°.
1. Maximum vertical height of fill, ft, as measured from the wall crest, should
not be more than 5 m.
Extent of fill material
2. Maximum thickness of the fill, fw, as measured horizontally from the top of
wall back face, should not be more than 3 m.
Mass concrete L-shaped Inverted L-shaped Inverted T-shaped

retaining wall retaining wall retaining wall retaining wall
(a) Gravity Retaining Wall (b) Reinforced Concrete Retaining Wall (with or without key)
Figure 5.2 Types of Concrete Retaining Walls covered by the Scope of Application of
Prescriptive Soil Nails
49
Table 5.7 Classification of Condition of Masonry Retaining Walls

Masonry Retaining Wall
State of Distress and Wall Deformation Based on Inspection(1)
Condition Class
A Minimal distress and deformation
B Moderate distress and/or deformation
C Onset of severe distress and/or deformation
D Advanced stage of severe distress and/or deformation
Notes: (1) In general, the state of distress and deformation of old masonry retaining walls can be
assessed reliably by means of experience and engineering judgement. Reference may be
made to Table 5.8 and GEO Circular No. 33 (GEO, 2004) for guidance.
(2) For walls without tie members, a conservative assessment should be made, with the overall
wall condition downgraded by one class, where appropriate.
(3) If the condition of the wall is known to be deteriorating, the next wall condition class
appropriate to the worst possible wall condition anticipated should be chosen instead.
(4) Dry-packed random rubble walls of up to 5 m high should be assigned a wall condition
Class C, irrespective of the condition and deformation profile of the wall.
(5) Dry-packed random rubble walls of more than 5 m high should be assigned a wall condition
Class D, irrespective of the condition and deformation profile of the wall.
Table 5.8 Guidelines for Evaluation of the State of Masonry Retaining Wall Deformation
Observed State of Wall
Forward Movement Bulging
Deformation
Forward movement of wall as indicated by:

(a) long continuous movement cracks at wall
crest sub-parallel to wall, total width at
Minimal any section < 0.1% of wall height, h, or
(1) Negligible bulging of wall
Deformation (b) sub-vertical through cracks in return wall
of total width at each level < 0.1%h,
where h is height of measurement point
from ground surface level in front of toe
(2) Moderate Forward movement as (1) except crack Minor bulging of wall face
Deformation width totalling between 0.1%h and 0.2%h noticeable to naked eye
Bulged profile of wall face
sufficient to touch a vertical line
(3) Onset of Severe Forward movement as (1) except crack drawn through wall toe, or
Deformation width totalling between 0.2%h and 0.6%h
maximum bulging of wall
approaching or equal to 75 mm
Bulging as (3) but protruding
(4) Advanced Stage of Forward movement as (1) except crack beyond a vertical line drawn
Severe Deformation width totalling a value > 0.6%h through toe, or maximum bulging of
wall > 75 mm
Note: When using this table, the application of sound engineering judgement is crucial since different
walls are likely to present differing degrees of difficulty in the assessment of wall deformation.
The proposed deformation limits shown in this table should not be regarded as absolute values.
50
Legend:
α Gradient of terrain in front of slope feature

β Gradient of terrain above slope feature
q Design surcharge
θ Wall face angle
ft Vertical thickness of fill layer above retaining wall crest
fw Depth of fill layer measured from top of wall back face
H Slope feature height
He Maximum effective height of slope feature, where He = H (1+0.35tanβ) + q/20
Hr Height of retained ground
Tw Average thickness of retaining wall
Figure 5.3 Simplified Geometry of a Slope Feature Incorporating a Soil Cut and a Mass
Concrete or Masonry Retaining Wall at Toe
51
Legend:

q Design surcharge
θ Wall face angle
Figure 5.4 Simplified Geometry of a Slope Feature Incorporating a Soil Cut and a Reinforced
Concrete Retaining Wall at Toe
52
steps:
(a) Determine the maximum effective height of slope feature,

He (see Equation (5.1) in Section 5.2.2).
(b) Determine the required range of ∆FOS, viz.:
(i) range I for a large ∆FOS (0.3 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.5),
(ii) range II for a moderate ∆FOS (0.1 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.3), and
(iii) range III for a small ∆FOS (0 < ∆FOS ≤ 0.1).
The required range of ∆FOS should be determined by

designers based on professional judgement and the guidance
given in Table 5.3. If the required ∆FOS exceeds 0.5, the
slope feature is outside the bounds of previous experience
and hence is beyond the scope of application of prescriptive
soil nails.
(c) Determine the total length of soil nails, Ltotal, as follows (see
Figure 5.5):
Ltotal = L + Lfree
where L = Length of the portion of soil nail in material

behind wall backfill (m)
Lfree = Length of the portion of soil nail within the
retaining wall and wall backfill (m).
Determine from Table 5.4 the number of rows, spacings and

the lengths of soil nails, L. Lfree can be taken as 2 m or
alternatively determined by designers based on detailed
information on the wall thickness and the extent of fill
behind and above the wall. For those soil nails to be
installed on the cut slope part above the toe wall and fill
material, Lfree should be taken as zero.
A typical pattern of prescriptive soil nailing to a soil cut slope with toe wall is shown
in Figure 5.5. The soil nail layout, derived from prescriptive design based on the
consideration of the maximum effective height of the slope feature, may be applied to the
entire slope feature. Alternatively, the slope feature may be split into different sections, with
the soil nail layout for each section designed according to the maximum effective height for
the respective sections. This would enhance the cost-effectiveness of the prescriptive
designs.
53
Elevation
Section A-A
Notes: (1) L = Length of the portion of soil nail in material behind wall backfill; Lfree = Length of the
portion of the soil nail within the retaining wall and wall backfill; H = Slope feature
height; Hr = Height of retained ground; Tw = Average retaining wall thickness;
(2) N, L, Sv, Sh and other dimensions for the soil nails are given in Table 5.4 based on the type
of soil nail layout specified by designers.
(3) If the height of the toe wall is less than the vertical spacing of soil nails, at least one row
of soil nails should be installed through the toe wall.
(4) If tie beams and/or tie columns are provided, the soil nails may not necessarily be
staggered.
Figure 5.5 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Soil Cut Slope with Toe Wall
54
Guidance on the design of soil nail head and/or wall facing is given in Sections 5.2.3
and 5.4.3 respectively.
Guidance on the design of corrosion protection measures for steel reinforcement of

prescriptive soil nails is given in Section 5.2.4.
5.4 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR CONCRETE OR MASONRY RETAINING

WALLS
Soil nail layouts for retaining walls have been standardised based on a review of past
designs. Retaining walls are deemed to satisfy the required safety standards with the
prescriptive soil nails applied as upgrading works, provided that the retaining walls satisfy the
qualifying criteria given in Table 5.9. In the case where not all the qualifying criteria are
satisfied, the prescriptive measures may be used as preventive maintenance works.
Table 5.9 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil Nails to Concrete or
Masonry Retaining Walls as Upgrading Works
Geometry Slope feature height, H ≤ 8 m
1. Apply only to either concrete or masonry retaining walls judged to require

improvement works.
2. Apply to sites comprising colluvial, residual or saprolitic soils of granitic or
volcanic origin. Also apply to sites comprising other materials with similar
Engineering and geology
shear strength properties, with the exception of alluvial and marine deposits
and sedimentary rocks containing argillaceous layers.
3. Criteria 3 and 4 under the column of “Engineering and Geology” in
Table 5.2 are also applicable.
1. For concrete retaining wall, it should be a mass concrete wall, a reinforced
concrete wall of L-shaped, inverted L-shaped or inverted T-shaped, as shown
in Figure 5.2.
Wall type
2. For masonry retaining wall, it should be of a condition no worse than wall
condition Class B and no worse than observed state of wall deformation
No. (2) as defined in Tables 5.7 and 5.8 respectively.
1. Gradient of terrain in front of slope feature, α (averaged over a horizontal
Terrain profile distance of four times the wall thickness) should not be greater than 10°.
2. Gradient of terrain above slope feature, β should not be greater than 15°.
Maximum thickness of fill, fw as measured horizontally from the top of wall

Extent of fill material
back face should not be more than the height of retained ground, Hr.
55
Legend:

q Design surcharge
θ Wall face angle
i Wall back angle
Figure 5.6 Simplified Geometry of a Mass Concrete or Masonry Retaining Wall Feature
56
Legend:

q Design surcharge
θ Wall face angle
i Wall back angle
Figure 5.7 Simplified Geometry of a Reinforced Concrete Retaining Wall Feature

57
steps:
(a) Determine the maximum effective height of slope feature,

He (see Equation (5.1) in Section 5.2.2).
(b) Determine whether the feature should be designed to the

‘new’ wall standard or ‘existing’ wall standard in
accordance with the guidelines given in the Geotechnical
Manual for Slope (GCO, 1984) and Works Bureau
Technical Circular No. 13/99 : Geotechnical Manual for
Slopes - Guidance on Interpretation and Updating (Works
Bureau, 1999).
(c) Determine whether the feature is substandard. A way of

doing it is to compare the measured wall thickness with the
minimum wall thickness required to satisfy the current
geotechnical standards given in Figure 5.8 according to the
respective wall standard to be achieved.
If the measured retaining wall thickness is equal to or

greater than the minimum required thickness, the wall can
be considered as being up to the respective geotechnical
standard and no upgrading works are necessary. The chart
in Figure 5.8 is applicable to both concrete retaining walls
and masonry retaining walls.
For reinforced concrete retaining walls, it is hard to

determine whether the wall is substandard or not in the
absence of a detailed ground investigation. In such cases,
designers should decide whether it would be more cost
effective to assume the wall to be substandard and proceed
with prescriptive design of upgrading works, or whether it
would be more appropriate to carry out a stability
assessment with detailed ground investigation.
(d) Determine the total length of soil nails, Ltotal, as follows (see
Figure 5.5):
Ltotal = L + Lfree
where L = Length of the portion of soil nail in material

behind wall backfill (m)
Lfree = Length of the portion of soil nail within the
retaining wall and wall backfill (m).
58
Determine from Table 5.10 the number of rows, spacings

and lengths of the soil nails, L. Lfree can be taken as the
height of retained ground, Hr, or alternatively it may be
determined by designers based on detailed information on
the wall thickness and extent of fill behind the wall.
A typical pattern of prescriptive soil nailing to a retaining wall is shown in Figure 5.9.
The soil nail layout, derived from prescriptive design based on the consideration of the
maximum effective height of the slope feature, may be applied to the entire slope feature.
Alternatively, the feature may be split into different sections, with the soil nail layout for each
section designed according to the maximum effective height for the respective sections.
5
Minimum Wall Thickness (m)
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Maximum Effective Height of Slope Feature, He (m)
Legend:
Concrete retaining wall (‘existing’ wall standard)
Concrete retaining wall (‘new’ wall standard)
Masonry retaining wall (‘existing’ and ‘new’ wall standards)
Note: This chart is only applicable to concrete or masonry retaining walls that satisfy the qualifying
criteria listed in Table 5.9, and situations where the surcharge behind the feature does not
exceed 10 kPa.
Figure 5.8 Minimum Required Thickness of Concrete or Masonry Retaining Walls where No
Type 3 Prescriptive Measures are Needed
59
Table 5.10 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Concrete or Masonry Retaining Walls
Standard ‘New’ Wall Standard(1) ‘Existing’ Wall Standard(1)

Soil Nail He (m) φr (mm) φh (mm)
Layouts N L (m) Sh (m) N L (m) Sh (m)
(a) 3 25 100 2 4 1.5 2 4 1.5
(b) 4 25 100 2 5 1.5 2 5 1.5
(c) 5 25 100 3 6 1.5 3 6 1.5
(d) 6 25 100 4 8 1.5 3 8 1.5
(e) 7 25 100 4 9 1.5 4 8 1.5
(f) 8 25 100 5 9 1.5 4 8 1.5
(g) 9 25 100 5 10 1.5 4 9 1.5
(h) 10 25 100 6 10 1.5 4 10 1.5
Notes: (1) The conditions for designating a retaining wall as a ‘new’ retaining wall or as an ‘existing’
retaining wall are stipulated in the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes (GCO, 1984) and Works
Bureau Technical Circular No. 13/99 (Works Bureau, 1999).
(2) He is the maximum effective height of slope feature, φr the soil nail diameter, φh the drillhole
diameter, Sh the horizontal spacing of soil nails, and L the length of the portion of soil nail in
material behind wall backfill.
(3) Total length of a soil nail, Ltotal, should include the length of the portion of soil nail within the
retaining wall and wall backfill, Lfree, and L.
(4) For He between any of the two consecutive values in the above table, the soil nail layout
corresponding to the higher He value should be adopted.
(5) N is the number of soil nails per vertical column required at the critical section, i.e. the section
with the maximum effective height, He. At other parts of the retaining wall, soil nails should
be provided at vertical and horizontal spacing similar to that at the critical section.
Alternatively, different soil nail layouts according to the He of that part of the retaining wall
may be adopted.
(6) The vertical spacing (Sv) of soil nails, as defined in Figure 5.1, should not be less than 1.5 m.
If necessary, designers may adjust N and Sh to achieve the required minimum Sv value. In so
doing, the adjusted layout should maintain the same soil nail density as that of the layout
given in this Table, with Sh ≥ 1.0 m. Where the designers opt for a specific Sv value
(e.g. 2 m) to suit site constraints or other considerations, the soil nail layout may be adjusted
by maintaining the same soil nail density as that given in this Table, with Sh ≥ 1.0 m.
(7) Soil nails should be evenly spaced over the face of the retaining wall.
(8) Steel reinforcement for soil nails shall be of Type 2 high yield deformed bars.
(9) If rock is encountered in the process of drilling such that part of the soil nails will be installed
in rock (e.g. installation through a PW50/90 zone or better, see Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988)),
designers may exercise professional judgement to reduce the soil nail length.
(10) Designers should check the land status to establish whether the soil nails would encroach into
the adjoining land and, if so, whether this is acceptable to the land owner.
(11) Sections of a retaining wall that are lower than 2 m in height do not usually require
reinforcement by soil nails.
60
Elevation
Section A-A
Notes: (1) L = Length of the portion of soil nail in material behind the wall backfill; Lfree = Length of
the portion of the soil nail within the retaining wall and wall backfill; H = Slope feature
height; Hr = Height of retained ground; Tw = Average retaining wall thickness;
(2) N, L, Sv, Sh and other dimensions for the soil nails are given in Table 5.10 based on the
type of soil nail layout specified by designers.
(3) If tie beams and/or tie columns are provided, the soil nails may not necessarily be
staggered.
Figure 5.9 Prescriptive Soil Nails on a Retaining Wall
Skin walls, tie beams or tie columns should be provided to connect soil nails, in
particular those installed in masonry retaining walls with poor wall conditions, such as
dry-packed walls or walls with signs of distress. Isolated concrete soil nail heads can be
61
used in concrete or well-constructed masonry retaining walls, because these walls generally
have better structural integrity. For well-constructed masonry retaining walls, recessed soil
nail heads are preferred in order to preserve the wall fabric and appearance. Due care needs
to be exercised in the temporary removal of the masonry blocks to facilitate construction of
recessed soil nail heads.
Typical details of a prescriptive reinforced concrete skin wall for connecting the soil
nails in a concrete or masonry retaining wall together are shown in the latest version of CEDD
Standard Drawing No. C2520 : Typical Details of Skin Wall with Soil Nails.
Typical details of the prescriptive exposed reinforced concrete tie beams and tie
columns for connecting soil nails in a concrete or masonry retaining wall together are shown
in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawings No. C2524 : Details of Exposed Tie Beam
for Retaining Wall and No. C2523 : Details of Embedded Tie Column for Masonry Retaining
Wall.
Typical details of the exposed soil nail heads are shown in the latest version of CEDD
Standard Drawing No. C2522 : Typical Details of Soil Nail Head on Rock or Concrete Wall
Surface.
The following factors should be considered in the choice of the types of soil nail heads
and facing for use on a wall face:
(a) Slenderness ratio of the wall, defined as He/Tw (see

Figures 5.6 and 5.7) – Skin walls should be provided to
reinforce existing retaining walls with high slenderness ratio.
As a general guidance, a skin wall should be constructed
over the entire face of a retaining wall with a slenderness
ratio equal to or greater than 5.
(b) Wall condition – Skin walls should be considered to

reinforce existing masonry retaining walls with poor wall
condition. As a general guidance, a skin wall should be
constructed over the entire face of a dry-packed masonry
retaining wall, or a masonry retaining wall with condition
Class B or observed state of wall deformation No. (2), as
defined in Tables 5.7 and 5.8 respectively.
(c) Availability of space in front of the wall – If exposed tie

beams or exposed soil nail heads are to be provided to a
retaining wall overlooking a footpath, the lowest row of
beams or soil nail heads should be placed at an elevation
high enough to avoid pedestrians being affected.
(d) Slope appearance – GEO Publication No. 1/2000 : Technical

Guidelines on Landscape Treatment and Bio-engineering
for Man-made Slopes and Retaining Walls (GEO, 2000a)
gives guidelines on landscape treatment to man-made
features. If no skin wall is constructed over an existing
62
wall face, care should be exercised to avoid staining of the

surface of the existing wall due to grouting of soil nails.
Guidance on the design of corrosion protection measures for steel reinforcement of

prescriptive soil nails is given in Section 5.2.4.
5.5 PRESCRIPTIVE SKIN WALLS FOR MASONRY RETAINING WALLS
Concrete skin walls are commonly used for upgrading masonry retaining walls. The
prescriptive skin wall may be considered as upgrading works for masonry retaining walls if
the qualifying criteria given in Table 5.11 are satisfied. In the case where not all of the
qualifying criteria are satisfied, the skin wall may be used as preventive maintenance works.
Table 5.11 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Skin Walls to Masonry
Retaining Walls as Upgrading Works
Geometry Maximum effective height of slope feature, He ≤ 8 m
1. There should not be any observable or recorded presence of weak materials

such as extensive kaolin-bearing layers, ground with extensive loose fill
materials, etc.
2. There should not be any observable or recorded signs of water which indicate
that the groundwater level is higher than 1/3 of the height of retained
ground, Hr.
1. The wall should satisfy the conditions for ‘existing’ walls stipulated in the
Geotechnical Manual for Slopes (GCO, 1984) and Works Bureau Technical
Circular No. 13/99 (Works Bureau, 1999).
Wall type
2. The wall should be of a condition no worse than wall condition Class B and
no worse than observed state of wall deformation No. (2) as defined in
Table 5.7 and Table 5.8 respectively.
Wall slenderness ratio,

He / T w < 5
(He / Tw)
Wall face angle, (θ ) 0° ≤ θ ≤ 10°
1. Gradient of terrain in front of slope feature, α (averaged over a horizontal

Terrain profile distance of four times the wall thickness) should not be greater than 10°.
2. Gradient of terrain above slope feature, β should not be greater than 10°.
1. Vertical uniform surcharge, q should not be greater than 10 kPa.
Surcharge loading 2. Total horizontal load, P should not be greater than 0.2 Hr2, where P is
in kN/m and Hr is in metres.
63
Wall Geometry
Legend:
γ Unit weight of soil
θ Wall face angle
He Maximum effective height of slope feature, where He = H (1 + 0.35 tan β ) + q/γ
Hw Height of design groundwater level behind the wall
i Wall back angle
q Design surcharge
Tw Average thickness of masonry retaining wall
ts Prescriptive skin wall thickness
Design groundwater table
Figure 5.10 Prescriptive Skin Walls to Masonry Retaining Walls
5.5.2 Skin Wall Design
The prescriptive skin wall design should be carried out in accordance with the
following steps:
(a) Compare the measured retaining wall thickness with the

minimum required masonry retaining wall thickness where
no works are needed using Figure 5.8. If the measured
retaining wall thickness is equal to or greater than the
minimum required thickness, the wall can be considered as
being up to the safety standards for ‘existing’ walls
recommended in the Geotechnical Manual for Slope
64
(GCO, 1984) and Works Bureau Technical Circular

No. 13/99 : Geotechnical Manual for Slopes - Guidance on
Interpretation and Updating (Works Bureau, 1999),
provided that the conditions for ‘existing’ walls are satisfied,
and no upgrading works would be required in this case.
(b) Otherwise, determine the required prescriptive skin wall

thickness, ts, using the following equation:
ts = 0.056He + 0.22 ......................... (5.2)
where He = maximum effective height of slope feature (m)
Typical skin wall details are given in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing
No. C2521 : Typical Details of Skin Wall without Soil Nails.
5.6 PRESCRIPTIVE CONCRETE BUTTRESSES FOR ROCK CUT SLOPES
Where a rockfall has occurred leading to the formation of a cavity on the slope face, it
may be necessary to construct a concrete buttress in the cavity to prevent further rockfalls.
A buttress serves two functions, viz. to retain and protect areas of weak rock and to support
the overhang. It may also be used to prevent local toppling failure of the rock face. Rock
dowels are commonly used in conjunction with concrete buttresses to stabilise and tie the
rocks together. Typical details of a concrete buttress are shown in the latest version of
CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2203 : Typical Details of Concrete Buttress Type A.
The size of a concrete buttress is generally governed by geometrical considerations

such that it is large enough to provide physical support to a rock block or overhang. The
stability of its foundation should be considered. It should be founded on a level, clean and
sound rock surface. If this surface is not at right angles to the direction of resultant force
acting on the buttress, the buttress should be anchored to a solid base using dowels to prevent
sliding failure. In addition, the top of the buttress should be set at a higher elevation than the
top of the overhang to ensure good contact.
5.7 PRESCRIPTIVE ROCK DOWELS FOR ROCK CUT SLOPES
5.7.1 Collection and Assessment of Discontinuity Data
Stability in rock is controlled principally by discontinuities in the rock mass. The

role of discontinuity data collection is primarily to aid the identification of the possible modes
of failure. Rock outcrop mapping is the best field way to obtain discontinuity data.
Geoguide 2 : Guide to Site Investigation (GCO, 1987) and Geoguide 3 : Guide to Rock and
Soil Descriptions (GCO, 1988) describe the requirements for rock discontinuity mapping for
rocks in Hong Kong.
Rock joint discontinuity data should be recorded in a proforma similar to Figure 1 of

Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988).
65
The degree of rock exposure is usually the controlling factor in determining the
accuracy of the collected data. In the event that the rock slope face is fully exposed, there
should be sufficient good quality data for rock mass discontinuity assessment. If little or no
exposure is available on the slope, knowledge of the local geology may permit extrapolation
from areas outside the slope. The key to this lies in the recognition of discontinuity patterns.
Where extrapolation is necessary, designers should determine whether the rock mass and
discontinuity pattern in the area of data collection are akin to those of the rock slope by
consideration of the local geological conditions.
Where there are doubts on this, the discontinuity data should be collected from the
covered rock slope direct. Techniques for investigating partially and fully covered rock
faces include surface cover stripping, window opening, coring and drillhole inspection.
Where stripping is used, a scanline survey may be undertaken as opposed to stripping the
whole slope. Where prescriptive measures are specified without a close inspection of all the
rock blocks to be treated, the actual rock block size and the measures needed should be
reviewed once the conditions and dimensions of the block can be examined on site more
accurately during the construction stage, particularly when the slope surface cover is removed
and/or safe access for close inspection is provided.
A qualitative assessment is required to determine the potential instability problem and

the likely scale of failure. If local zones of instability are observed, the prescriptive
measures items given in this document can be applied. However, if there are potential
global instability or large zones of potentially unstable rock blocks with a volume greater than
5 m3, the use of these prescriptive measures items alone is not considered adequate, and
suitable stabilisation measures based on analytical design should be implemented.
During the assessment, kinematic analysis could be used to facilitate judgement to be

made on the stability of the slope. Where stereoplots are used, their limitations should be
recognised (Hoek & Bray, 1981; Hencher, 1985). It is important that designers exercise due
care when interpreting stereoplots and that correct judgement is applied. It should also be
noted that assessment of discontinuity data only provides a reference for designers. The
stability of an existing rock slope, particularly local stability of individual rock blocks, should
always be assessed based on field inspections. Indeed, the step of discontinuity data
collection may be omitted if the rock face to be treated is fully exposed, such that detailed
examination of the rock face can be carried out to identify all potential instability problems.
Designers should review the overall stability of a rock slope before concentrating on
stabilising small unstable rock blocks by means of prescriptive measures. Desk study,
collection of relevant rock joint data and assessment of the stability of an existing rock slope
through detailed visual inspection in the field should be carried out as needed.
5.7.2 Prescriptive Rock Dowels
Loosening and detachment of small rock blocks on the slope face can be prevented by
the installation of passive rock dowels, which are composed of reinforcing steel bars grouted
into holes drilled in the underlying stable rock.
Prescriptive rock dowels can be applied as upgrading works to rock cut slopes which
66
satisfy the qualifying criteria given in Table 5.12. In the case where not all the qualifying
criteria are satisfied, the rock dowels may be used as preventive maintenance works.
Standard rock dowel design has been developed as shown in Figure 5.11 for
prescriptive application. The rock block sliding angle and rock block volume should be
estimated prior to using the design table to determine the number of dowels required. By
reading off from the design table with the appropriate volume of potentially unstable rock
block, the required number of dowels can be estimated. Typical details of a rock dowel are
shown in the latest version of CEDD Standard Drawing No. C2202 : Typical Arrangement of
Rock Dowel.
Table 5.12 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Rock Dowels to Rock Cut
Slopes as Upgrading Works
1. The volume of the rock block should not be greater than 5 m3 and the rock
block is not supporting any foundations of structures or surcharge.
Geometry 2. The angle between the slope at the rock face and the potential sliding surface
should not be smaller than 10°.
3. The angle of the rock block basal sliding surface should be smaller than 60°.
1. The rock type is granitic or volcanic and of decomposition grades I to III.
2. No daylighting clay-infilled or silt-infilled discontinuities.
Volume of Potentially Number of Rock

Unstable Rock Block, v(m3) Dowels Required
v≤1 1
1<v≤2 2
2<v≤3 3
3<v≤4 4
4<v≤5 5
Notes: (1) Dowel bars shall be of 32 mm in diameter (hot dip galvanised type 2 high yield steel bars to
be used).
(2) Angle of dowels to be approximately perpendicular to potential sliding surface of the rock
block.
(3) Dowel length = 3 x thickness of potentially unstable rock block, subject to a minimum length
of 3 m and a maximum length of 6 m.
(4) The layout of the rock dowels as applied to a sliding rock block/wedge shall be at least 0.3 m
from the identified periphery of the rock block/wedge in order to provide effective
stabilisation.
(5) The vertical and horizontal spacing of the rock dowels shall be from a minimum of 0.3 m to
an effective spacing evenly distributed to cover the sliding area of the block.
Figure 5.11 Prescriptive Rock Dowels on Rock Cut Slopes

67
6. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
6.1 GENERAL
This Chapter provides guidance on other pertinent considerations in respect of the

application of the prescriptive design framework.
6.2 SLOPE APPEARANCE AND LANDSCAPING
Due consideration should be given to making the appearance of a slope feature with
prescriptive measures as natural as possible and minimising the potential visual impact to the
existing environment. Whenever possible, vegetation should be used as the primary surface
protection for slopes. General guidance on greening and landscape treatment for slope
features is given in GEO Publication No. 1/2000 : Technical Guidelines on Landscape
Treatment and Bio-engineering for Man-made Slopes and Retaining Walls (GEO, 2000a).
Guidance on selection of vegetation types (grass, shrubs, trees, creepers and/or other
herbaceous plants), species and planting techniques (e.g. hydroseeding mix) can be found in
GEO (2000a). Selection of vegetation type and species for area-specific or site-specific
applications should be made in consultation with a landscape architect, the advice of whom
could also be sought with regard to visual and ecological aspects. The party responsible for
maintenance of the slope feature and the horticulture should also be consulted as appropriate.
Further information on vegetation species suitable for slope greening can be found in the
booklet “Tree Planting and Maintenance in Hong Kong” published by the Information
Services Department (Hong Kong Government, 1991) and in GEO Technical Guidance Note
No. 20 : Update of GEO Publication 1/2000 – Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment
and Bio-engineering for Man-made Slopes and Retaining Walls (GEO, 2007c).
6.3 TREE PRESERVATION
The government policy on tree preservation is that no trees should be unnecessarily

felled or pruned (ETWB, 2006b). The planning and design of prescriptive measures should
take into account the need for tree preservation on slope features. Designers should ensure
that the existing trees are preserved as far as possible by selecting appropriate prescriptive
measures items and adjusting the layout of the works. For example, tree rings should be
provided to existing trees where a hard surface cover is required. The prescriptive soil nail
layout should be adjusted to locate the nails away from tree trunks and tree roots. Box-out
should also be provided for existing trees where a prescriptive skin wall is used.
Trees should be properly protected during construction works. Extreme care is

needed to avoid damage to major tree roots during excavation for subsurface drainage and soil
nailing. Protective fencing may be used to screen construction works from areas of existing
vegetation. Existing tree trunks may also be protected with the use of wooden pallets and/or
hessian wrapping during construction works.
68
6.4 BUILDABILITY
In prescribing improvement works to slope features using prescriptive measures, due

consideration should be given to assessing the buildability of the works with respect to the
site conditions. In particular, designers should give due consideration to the buildability of
soil nails in ensuring that the design is practical and buildable (GEO, 2008).
6.5 WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF SENSITIVE STRUCTURES
When carrying out improvement works to slope features in the vicinity of sensitive
structures, such as old buildings with shallow foundations, buildings that have previously
been subjected to disturbance and important underground service utilities that are vulnerable
to ground movement, designers should ensure that the proposed prescriptive measures will
not induce undue disturbance or excessive ground movement to the sensitive structures.
Where deemed necessary, suitable preventive or mitigation measures should be implemented
to minimise the potential disturbance that could be caused by the prescriptive measures. The
need for condition or defects survey of the sensitive structures and setting up of an
appropriate monitoring system should also be considered.
6.6 CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND CONTROL
The necessary construction control for prescriptive measures is similar to that for any
other form of slope works which are designed analytically. Adequate site supervision and
control should be provided during the implementation of the measures. General guidance on
aspects of construction control is given in Chapter 9 of the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes
(GCO, 1984). Chapter 6.2 of Geoguide 7 : Guide to Soil Nail Design and Construction
(GEO, 2008) also provides guidance on construction supervision and control of soil nailing
works.
6.7 CONSTRUCTION REVIEW
The application of prescriptive measures does not involve detailed ground

investigation and design analyses at the design stage. It is therefore of paramount
importance that construction reviews are carried out during various stages of construction to
examine the actual condition of the slope feature and verify the validity of the design
assumptions.
Construction reviews should include site inspections and assessment of the geology,
slope-forming materials and groundwater conditions, together with verification of whether the
qualifying criteria for application of the prescriptive measures have been met. The reviews
should also include an evaluation of the suitability and adequacy of the specified types and
items of prescriptive measures, as well as recommendations on the necessary design
modifications to cater for the actual site and ground conditions as revealed.
Every opportunity should be taken in inspecting any exposed slope-forming materials

for adverse geological or groundwater conditions, and identifying any significant differences
69
between the actual conditions and that assumed during the design stage. This can be done
most effectively at the time when the prevailing slope surface cover has been removed, during
excavation for subsurface drainage works, and during drilling for raking drains or soil nails.
Where deemed necessary, geological advice may be sought from an experienced engineering
geologist on the presence of any adverse geological conditions. The importance of
engineering geological input during construction is emphasised in GEO Publication
No. 1/2007 : Engineering Geological Practice in Hong Kong (GEO, 2007d).
The findings and recommendations of construction reviews, including sketches,

drawings, notes and photographs which record the site observations and design amendments,
should be properly documented as ‘Site Inspection Records’ in the “Record Sheets for
Prescriptive Measures on Man-made Slope Features” (Figure 2.2). The record sheets,
together with other information as specified in Geoguide 5 : Guide to Slope Maintenance
(GEO, 2003), should be included in the Maintenance Manual.
6.8 MAINTENANCE
Regular and proper maintenance should be provided to slope features with prescriptive
measures. General guidance on recommended good practice for maintenance works for
slope features, including the provision of safe access, is given in Geoguide 5 (GEO, 2003).
Raking drains used as prescriptive measures should not be considered as “Special

Measures” as defined in Geoguide 5, and the monitoring requirements stipulated in Section 5
of Geoguide 5 are not applicable to these drains. Regular inspections and routine
maintenance of the raking drains should however be carried out.
Where water-carrying services are present which are judged to have a destabilising
effect on a slope feature in the event of leakage, the guidance given in Geoguide 5
should be followed.
70
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74
GLOSSARY OF SYMBOLS
75
GLOSSARY OF SYMBOLS
A Height of no-fines concrete backfill
B Base width of no-fines concrete backfill
D Depth of soil-nailed zone
ft Vertical thickness of fill layer above top of retaining wall
fw Depth of fill layer as measured from top of retaining wall
H Slope feature height, i.e. the maximum height of slope feature from toe to crest
Hd Height of geosynthetic composite drainage material (or similar)
He Maximum effective height of slope feature
Hu Height of the upper part of slope feature
Hw Height of design groundwater level behind retaining wall
h Height of retaining wall
i Angle of wall back
L Length of portion of soil nail in material behind wall backfill
Lfree Length of portion of soil nail within retaining wall and wall backfill
Ltotal Total length of soil nail
N Number of soil nails per vertical column required at the critical section
P Total horizontal load on retaining wall
q Surcharge loading expressed as an equivalent uniform pressure
ru Average pore water pressure ratio
Sh Horizontal spacing of soil nails
Sv Vertical spacing of soil nails
ts Thickness of prescriptive skin wall
U Distance between upstand of flat drainage channel and slope crest

76
v Volume of potentially unstable rock block
φh Soil nail drillhole diameter
φr Soil nail diameter
γ Unit weight of soil
θ Angle of wall face

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GEO PUBLICATION No.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE

© The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

First published, August 2009

Geotechnical Engineering Office,

Captions of Figures on the Front Cover

Top Left : Soil Cut Slope at Princess Margaret Road, Homantin

Bottom Left : Skin Wall at Heung Chung, Sai Kung

Bottom Right : Soil Cut Slope at Wo Chung Street, Homantin

This document was prepared by a team consisting of Dr Raymond W.M. Cheung,

Practitioners are encouraged to provide comments to the Geotechnical Engineering

1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE 11

2.2 DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 12

2.3 AREAS OF APPLICATION 14

2.4 MERITS AND LIMITATIONS OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 14

2.5 TYPES OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 15

2.6 SELECTION OF PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 16

2.7 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION 18

2.8 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PERSONNEL 20

2.9 STATUS OF SLOPE FEATURES IMPROVED BY 23

3. TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 24

3.2 TYPE 1 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 24

4. TYPE 2 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 31

4.2 TYPE 2 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 31

5. TYPE 3 PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES 41

5.2 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES 41

5.3 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR SOIL CUT SLOPES WITH 48

5.4 PRESCRIPTIVE SOIL NAILS FOR CONCRETE OR MASONRY 54

5.5 PRESCRIPTIVE SKIN WALLS FOR MASONRY RETAINING 62

5.5.2 Skin Wall Design 63

5.6 PRESCRIPTIVE CONCRETE BUTTRESSES FOR ROCK CUT 64

5.7 PRESCRIPTIVE ROCK DOWELS FOR ROCK CUT SLOPES 64

6.2 SLOPE APPEARANCE AND LANDSCAPING 67

6.3 TREE PRESERVATION 67

6.5 WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF SENSITIVE STRUCTURES 68

6.6 CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND CONTROL 68

6.7 CONSTRUCTION REVIEW 68

2.1 Common Applications of Different Types of Prescriptive 16

3.1 Items of Type 1 Prescriptive Measures 24

3.2 Prescriptive Use of Vegetation Cover for Soil Slopes 25

4.1 Items of Type 2 Prescriptive Measures 31

5.1 Items of Type 3 Prescriptive Measures 41

5.2 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil 42

5.3 Stability Enhancement for Application of Prescriptive Soil 44

5.4 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Soil Cut 45

5.5 Sizing of Prescriptive Soil Nail Heads 47

5.6 Additional Qualifying Criteria for Application of 48

5.7 Classification of Condition of Masonry Retaining Walls 49

5.8 Guidelines for Evaluation of the State of Masonry 49

5.9 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Soil 54

5.10 Standard Prescriptive Soil Nail Layouts for Concrete or 59

5.11 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Skin 62

5.12 Qualifying Criteria for Application of Prescriptive Rock 66

2.1 Schematic Diagram of Typical Prescriptive Measures for 17

2.2 Record Sheets for Prescriptive Measures on Man-made 21

3.1 Alternative Flat Drainage Channel Details to Minimise 28

3.2 No-fines Concrete Backfill to Local Areas 30

4.1 Raking Drains at Upper Part of Slope 32