Slope stabilisation and protection involves engineering inclined surfaces to resist sliding, mass movement and surface erosion using geosynthetic reinforcement systems. Inadequately stabilised slopes can fail under gravity and hydraulic loading, causing damage to infrastructure, the environment and adjacent properties. Secugrid® high-tensile geogrids, Secumat® erosion control mats and the Naue Nail and Naue Steel P systems deliver engineered, vegetated slope solutions at inclinations from 30 to 85 degrees.
Reinforcing cut and fill embankments alongside roads and motorways to prevent slope failure and reduce maintenance.
Stabilising railway cuttings and fill embankments to maintain track formation integrity under dynamic loading.
Securing the side slopes of landfill cells and capping systems against internal and external failure modes.
Creating reinforced earth structures in constrained urban sites where conventional concrete walls are cost-prohibitive.
In slope stabilisation projects, construction robustness is as important as design performance. Secugrid and Secumat erosion control mats are manufactured to meet site installation demands: high robustness during placement, UV stability during the exposed construction phase and long-term resistance to chemical and biological degradation. The Naue Nail System allows rapid slope reinforcement on existing slopes without full excavation.
The sizing of geosynthetic slope reinforcement systems is carried out in accordance with BS 8006-1, EBGEO and project-specific geotechnical data. The Naue Portal supports standard-compliant calculations and generates project-specific Secugrid® specifications, including layer spacing, required tensile strength and embedment length.
The following system benefits come directly from how the Naue products work within the layer structure:
Protecting and vegetating waste dump and tailings dam slopes to meet environmental rehabilitation obligations.
Installation advantages:
Not every slope problem requires structural geogrid reinforcement. The root cause determines the correct product function. On shallow slopes, surface erosion from rainfall and runoff is the primary risk. On steeper slopes or fill embankments, deep-seated sliding governs design. Understanding the failure mode is the first step in product selection.
Key principle: Erosion control protects the slope surface. Geogrid reinforcement resists mass movement. Both functions may be required simultaneously.
The appropriate system depends on slope angle, structural height, soil type, required facing aesthetics and vegetation objectives. The decision guide below provides a structured framework for specifiers and site managers.
| Criterion | Scenario A | Scenario B | Scenario C | Recommended Naue solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slope angle | Up to 45 degrees | Up to 60 degrees | Up to 85 degrees | Secugrid® (standard wrap-around) | Naue Nail System | Naue Steel P |
| Vegetation required? | Yes: erosion control priority | Yes, with reinforcement | Yes, although vegetation may be limited on steepest slopes | Secumat® standalone | Secugrid® + Secumat® | Naue Steel P + Secumat® |
| Soil type | Cohesive fill, good CBR | Marginal fill, mixed soils | Any fill with reinforcement | Secugrid® (single layer) | Secugrid® (multi-layer) | Secugrid® + Naue Nail |
| Structural height | Less than 3 m | 3 to 6 m | More than 6 m | Secumat® + Secugrid® | Naue Nail System | Naue Steel P |
| Facing aesthetic | Green vegetated finish | Green vegetated finish | Green or hard-faced finish | Secugrid® wrap-around | Naue Nail | Naue Steel P (stone or vegetation cladding) |
Design confidence and normative compliance
Secugrid® and Secumat® are designed to meet BS 8006-1 and EBGEO requirements. The slope design tool in the Naue Portal supports EBGEO-compliant calculations and outputs project-specific geogrid specifications.
Cost efficiency and risk reduction
Geosynthetic slope systems can reduce construction costs compared with concrete retaining structures by up to 40 % on suitable projects. The use of locally available fill reduces haulage and material costs. The long-term vegetation cover reduces maintenance obligations and lifecycle costs.
Simple installation and fast construction programme
Secugrid® is rolled out and covered with compacted fill - no specialist equipment required. The system is installed using standard anchor equipment. Large-format rolls minimise joints and maximise daily installation output. Secumat® can be hydroseeded immediately after installation to establish vegetation quickly.
Slope stabilisation using geosynthetics is the engineering of inclined surfaces to resist sliding, erosion and mass movement. Geogrid reinforcement (Secugrid®) resists deep-seated failure. Erosion control mats (Secumat®) protect the slope surface and establish vegetation. Both functions can be combined in a single construction sequence on the same slope face.
The choice depends on slope angle and failure mode. Secumat® alone suits shallow slopes requiring erosion control and vegetation. Secugrid® geogrid reinforcement addresses structural instability in fill embankments. Naue Nail reinforces existing slopes without full excavation - suitable for slopes up to 60 degrees. Naue Steel P provides permanent steep-slope structures up to 85 degrees. The SolutionFinder tool in the Naue Portal assists with initial product selection.
In the United Kingdom, slope reinforcement with geosynthetics is designed in accordance with BS 8006-1: 2010+A1:2016. In Germany, EBGEO applies. Eurocodes (EN 1997) provide the general geotechnical framework. EN ISO 10318 defines geosynthetic terminology. Naue provides design support based on these standards.
Geosynthetic reinforced slopes can achieve cost savings of up to 40 % compared to concrete retaining wall alternatives on suitable projects, primarily through reduced material volumes, the use of locally available fill and faster construction. Savings vary by site conditions, slope height and local material prices.
Secugrid® is rolled out horizontally across the slope at designed layer spacings, typically 0.3 to 0.6 m vertical centres in fill embankments. Each layer is covered with compacted fill. At the slope face, the geogrid is folded back (wrap-around technique) to form a stable face. Secumat® is then applied to the slope face and filled with topsoil for hydroseeding. No specialist plant is required for Secugrid® placement.
Secumat® supports rapid vegetation establishment, restoring habitat and integrating engineered slopes into the natural landscape. Geosynthetic materials are chemically and biologically stable, require no maintenance chemicals and have a design service life of more than 100 years.
Yes. Naue geosynthetics are manufactured under ISO 9001-audited quality management standards. Secugrid® and Secumat® have been used on major civil, railway, landfill and mining projects across the UK, Europe, Australia and the Americas. Products are tested in accordance with EN ISO 10319 (tensile strength), EN ISO 12236 (puncture resistance) and other relevant geosynthetic test standards.
Yes. The Naue Nail System is documented for application on existing slopes requiring emergency stabilisation, including post-fire remediation and storm damage repair. The surface-applied system covers the slope face with Secugrid® reinforcement, soil anchors and Secumat® to restore stability and vegetation simultaneously. Contact us for post-event assessment and product specification.
Secugrid® wrap-around reinforced slopes can be constructed at angles up to approximately 70 degrees. The Naue Nail System extends this to 60 degrees on existing slopes. The Naue Steel P system with galvanised steel mesh facing achieves permanent structures at inclinations up to 85 degrees - close to vertical. Secumat® erosion control alone is suitable for slopes up to 75 degrees depending on system specification.
Yes. On shallow slopes where surface erosion is the primary risk rather than structural instability - typically angles below 1:1.5 (approximately 34 degrees) - Secumat® alone provides effective erosion control and supports rapid vegetation establishment without the need for geogrid reinforcement layers. The Secumat® Green Skin variant is used where permanent vegetation is required; Desert Skin is specified for arid zones or non-vegetated applications.
Naue Secugrid® geogrid stabilises and reinforces roads, embankments, working platforms, slopes and walls.
Naue Secumat® is an erosion control mat for the protection of slopes, channels and embankments.
Naue Secutex® is a mechanically bonded nonwoven geotextile for separation, filtration and protection in roads, railways and hydraulic engineering projects.