10-year Post-Construction Monitoring for 70m Soil Retaining Wall with InSAR
Dubai - Fujairah Freeway UAE
Highlights
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Four-year historical displacement measurement of a reinforced soil wall using InSAR.
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Monitoring conducted at a fraction of the cost of in-situ surveys.
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Confirmed the excellent long-term performance of this record-breaking reinforced soil wall.
The Dubai-Fujairah Freeway is a vital transportation corridor in the UAE, spanning 45 km and cutting through the rugged Hajar Mountains. This engineering marvel required innovative solutions to overcome its challenging terrain, including the construction of towering, reinforced soil retaining walls, some as high as 70 meters. These walls play a critical role in stabilising the highway, ensuring safe passage for thousands of vehicles daily.
As the retaining walls reached their 10-year milestone, the client, Tensar, a geotechnical solutions company, sought to evaluate their long-term performance. Tensar was responsible for designing and installing these retaining walls, and they aimed to confirm the walls' continued stability and functionality over the years.
Introduction
Challenges in Post-Construction Monitoring
Lack of Installed Monitoring Equipment
One of the most significant challenges faced in this project was the absence of monitoring equipment during or after construction. Typically, such large-scale infrastructure projects incorporate instruments to track performance data. However, in this case, no sensors, inclinometers, or strain gauges were installed. This oversight meant there was no real-time data available to assess how the walls had performed over the years.
The Benefits of InSAR Monitoring
Cost-Effective Solution
One of the standout features of InSAR is its ability to analyse historical satellite data. For this project, Geofem utilised satellite records spanning four years, covering the period during and immediately after construction. This approach provided a comprehensive view of the retaining walls' performance over their entire 10-year lifespan.
Non-Disruptive Monitoring
Unlike physical surveys, which may require lane closures or other disruptions to infrastructure, InSAR monitoring was conducted remotely. This ensured uninterrupted freeway operations, minimising inconvenience to users and reducing risks for surveyors.
The 10-year post-construction monitoring of the 70-meter reinforced soil retaining walls along the Dubai-Fujairah Freeway demonstrates the unparalleled value of InSAR technology. Despite the absence of installed monitoring equipment and the challenges of in-situ surveys, Geofem's satellite-based analysis delivered precise, actionable insights at a fraction of the cost and effort.
The findings not only confirmed the excellent performance of Tensar's flagship retaining walls but also set a benchmark for how critical infrastructure can be monitored in the future.
As infrastructure networks worldwide face growing pressures from aging, climate change, and increased usage, innovative solutions like InSAR will play a pivotal role in ensuring their safety, functionality, and longevity.
For more information on how Geofem’s satellite-based solutions can assist with infrastructure monitoring, contact us today.
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