Slide Rail System Provides Necessary Soil Support for Manhole Installation in Roadway

A utility contractor recently completed the construction and installation of two new manholes between high-traffic roadways. The contractor estimated the excavation for the first manhole needed to be 16-ft long and 16-ft wide excavated to a depth of 24-ft. The second manhole had a linear run of 20-ft with a width of 20-ft and a depth of 24-ft.  The protective system for the site would have to ensure the stability of the existing roadway, as well as the safety of its construction personnel.

The contractor would need to support the soil throughout the excavation process. The support system requirements would be complicated by the fact the pit could only be accessed along two sides due to the existing roadways.  The system would also need to secure and accommodate the tying of three existing gravity sewer lines.  The contractor contacted NTS to discuss several shoring options for the project. After reviewing a few options, the contractor selected the slide rail system with a steel sheeting guide frame. The steel sheeting guide frames allowed steel sheets to be inserted through channels in the panel and pushed to grade, which maintains the slide rail system’s ability to deliver continuous soil support throughout the excavation process while being able to accommodate crossing utilities or tying in sewer lines as was the case with this project. The system performed very well and the contractor was satisfied with the equipment as well as the service level provided by NTS.