Reinforced Soil Wall for a Private Bungalow in Aambyvalley, Lonavala, Maharashtra

Lonavala, Maharashtra, India | R K Gupta

Overview

Aamby valley is a meticulously planned city with world-class infrastructure and facilities, offering everything one needs for premium living .The client bungalow wad situated on steep slope of around 70 to 80 degree of height around 16m. The problem client was facing was the same as most of the owners in Aamby Valley do.

Challenge

Scouring was acute at some places which lead to collapse of the soil wedges, further leading to slope stability failure. Rains in Aamby valley are also very heavy. The type of soil there is of lateritic and basaltic origin, it acts like a hard rock in summer and flows with rain during rains. During monsoon the situation would worsen up again. A long-term solution was what the client was requiring.

Solution

Due to the steep slope and the uncertain behavior of the soil, our client wanted to construct reinforced soil wall, which would not only reinforce and stabilize the slope but also provide the client with a permanent hard and a stable fascia. Here blocks were used as fascia panel and for reinforcement TechGrid TGU was used. The range of TechGrid TGU used varied as per the design requirement. TechGrid was used as it is highly durable and resistant to acids & alkalis, which are present in soil.

The height to be protected also was very high and a single whole stretch wall was not a safe solution, a berm of 6m was provided after a height of 6m. After which the remaining height of 10m height was constructed .The client did not face space restriction, which became a boon for us.

The main attraction is the stairs which were constructed on the wall, wherein the TechGrid was not disturbed and was laid as per design criteria.

Project Outcome & Performance

Client was very much contented with the – On time completion and the perfection of the structure. This project has come out very well and has also withstood rains. Nevertheless the structure is functioning as per the expectations.

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Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)

The client’s bungalow was located on a steep slope of 70–80 degrees with a height of around 16m. The slope was highly unstable due to scouring, soil wedge collapse, and heavy monsoon rains, making long-term stabilization essential.

  • Lateritic and basaltic soil behaving like hard rock in summer but flowing during rains.
  • Heavy monsoon rainfall worsening slope instability.
  • High slope height (16m) requiring careful design.
  • Need for a durable, permanent solution that could withstand seasonal variations.

TechFab India designed and constructed a Reinforced Soil Wall using:

  • TechGrid PET Uniaxial Geogrid (TGU series) for reinforcement.
  • Block fascia panels for a stable and aesthetic facing.
  • A berm of 6m after the first stretch, followed by a 10m wall, ensuring safe staged construction.
  • Integration of stairs within the wall design without disturbing the geogrid layout.

TechGrid PET Uniaxial Geogrid was selected because it is:

  • Highly durable and resistant to soil chemicals (acids & alkalis).
  • Engineered for long-term performance in demanding slope conditions.
  • Proven in reinforced soil structures, offering strength and stability.
  • Dividing the wall into two stages (6m + 10m) reduced structural risk.
  • Proper geogrid placement ensured reinforcement continuity.
  • Staircase integration was achieved without compromising stability.
  • The design provided both structural safety and functional usability.

The project was completed on time and to the client’s satisfaction. The reinforced soil wall has successfully withstood heavy rains and continues to perform as expected, ensuring slope stability and long-term safety.

  • TechGrid PET Uniaxial Geogrid (TGU series)