What happens to embankments when the rain returns after a drought?

After weeks of exceptionally dry weather, the rain has finally started to return across parts of England.

The UK has experienced one of its driest periods in decades, with drought conditions affecting much of the country. So after weeks of dry ground, what happens when the rain finally arrives?

For infrastructure owners, it is a question worth asking.

Prolonged dry weather can change the condition of the ground, while heavy rainfall can increase surface runoff and erosion. Where water runs over or through vulnerable ground, embankments and slopes can be put under additional pressure.

That is where effective ground retention can make a difference.

Designed to retain ground

KITE Retain was designed specifically for ground retention.

The infill sections are designed to interlock and retain earth, helping to minimise retained material 'bleeding through' to the face of the system. Unlike generic infill products that have been adapted for retention applications, KITE Retain has been designed around the job it actually needs to do.

And that matters when the ground is under pressure.

Built around the application

KITE Retain is manufactured from 6mm sheet steel, or thicker where required, providing a robust solution with a long design life.

The system can also be configured to match the king post web, giving flexibility across different applications and installation requirements.

Good design considers how the system gets into the ground, not just the job it does once it gets there.

The horizontal members typically weigh around 30kg, meaning they can be installed by a two-person lift without the need for craneage. This makes manual installation possible where site conditions allow.

Where craneage is used, the sections can also be lifted using a surface magnet.

Safety from day one

Guardrail fittings can be prepared as part of the system, helping to provide protection from falls from height from the outset of installation.

Retain can also be integrated with other KITE systems, such as KITE Step, to create a safe area at the end of a step unit or provide additional workspace alongside a platform. This means the system can be configured around the needs of the site, rather than working as a standalone solution.

Structural calculations can also be undertaken to demonstrate performance for the specific application.

Where required, earth anchors can be used to enhance king post resilience and potentially minimise embedment requirements.

So, are our embankments ready for the rain?

After such a prolonged dry spell, the return of rainfall is a reminder that ground conditions can change quickly.

For embankments and slopes that need to retain earth, choosing a system that has been specifically designed for that purpose matters.

KITE Retain is not a generic infill product adapted for ground retention. It has been designed from the ground up to retain earth, with the strength, flexibility and installation requirements of the application in mind.

Because when the rain returns, the last thing you want is your ground going with it!