Date
Client
Location
Tectonic’s Role
Services Provided
- Preliminary assessment
- Detailed investigation
- Optioneering
- Coordination of other disciplines
- Detailed design through to IFC
Background
First Bay is located just south of the main town of Coolum Beach and is a popular location for outdoor activities. The main coastal throughfare, David Low Way, runs very close to the site along with the Sunshine Coast Council’s coastal pathway. A landslide occurred on the coastal cliff fringing the bay following an extreme rainfall event in February 2022, threatening the stability of these important community assets. Tectonic was called in to help by Sunshine Coast Council.
Scope
The first matter addressed by Tectonic comprised an appraisal of the immediate risk posed by the landslide to the public and infrastructure. Interim risk mitigation measures were formulated to protect people and property whilst detailed investigations and design were undertaken.
Site investigation included a desk top study of historical data such as aerial photos, geological mapping, and the drilling of deep boreholes over an investigation area exceeding 100 m in length. Laboratory testing was followed by numerical, limit equilibrium back-analysis of the landslide and the various remediation options.
Detailed design for the landslide stabilisation including soil-structure finite element modelling was completed by Tectonic. Stabilisation comprised a buried concrete pile wall with permanent ground anchors, also allowing for interactions with the coastal path, services and roadway.
