Rock Face in Marseille Stabilized using GEWI ^® Rock Bolts

The Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica is located high above Marseille, on the southern side of the old port. With its height of approximately 160m, the hill on which the basilica was built is the highest natural point in Marseille. Its strategically advantageous position is the reason why the hill was used as an observation post as far back as the Middle Ages.

To one side of the hill, there is a very steep slope. Due to atmospheric exposure and subsequent weathering, this steep rock face had become unstable and had to be extensively reinforced. Consequently, the general contractor SIMECO awarded specialist supplier DSI-Artéon a contract to supply all of the anchors necessary for stabilizing the rock face.

Since the customer attached great importance to receiving a package solution, SAGGAM, the local representative of DSI-Artéon, supplied not only the anchors, but also the mesh with its total surface area of 1,600m² that was used for stabilizing the rock as well as 1,000m of strand.

For stabilizing the rock face, SAGGAM supplied a total of 455 GEWI ^® Rock Bolts directly onto the job site.

The GEWI ^® Rock Bolts with their total length of 1,300m were used for securing the protective mesh, which was attached to the rock face. The GEWI ^® Rock Bolts were bored into the rock in individual lengths of approximately 3m, post-tensioned and subsequently injected with grout.

The fact that the work had to be executed directly at the rock face constituted a major challenge during this project. The anchors were installed using climbing ropes from which the technicians rappelled down the rock face.

Due to DSI’s package solution and to the excellent co-operation of all parties involved, the job was completed quickly. DSI is pleased to have contributed to preserving one of Marseille’s major landmarks.