Project Description

Sarafinchin Associates Ltd. carried out a preliminary geotechnical slope assessment of the proposed commercial building developments along Crane Beach in the east coastal area of Barbados.  The geotechnical report outlines the anticipated impact on adjacent terrestrial and marine surroundings.

A series of discussions with government agencies, landowners and operators was undertaken.  A review of available information on marine, geological, hydrologic, hydrogeologic, water quality, shoreline erosion and landslide conditions was conducted for the Crane Beach coastal area.  The observations and findings of a geotechnical site reconnaissance of shorelines, rock cliffs, lands and buildings was recorded and analyzed.

The high steep coral limestone cliffs in the Crane Beach coastal area are subjected to wave erosion and progressive undercutting from the Atlantic Ocean. The cliff faces are near vertical and they range from 15 to 20m in height above sea level. The depth of water is about 5 m. Along the shoreline there are considerable amounts of boulder debris and pieces of cliff rock. A preliminary rock slope stability assessment of seven cross-sections was completed. The computerized slope stability modelling included assumed rock parameters such as the unit weight, the rock quality designation (RQD), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), the geological strength index (GSI), the Hoek-Brown constant (mi), and the disturbance factor (D). The computer model produced a range of factors of safety and their related failure planes which are dependent on the estimated orientation and frequency of joint fracture sets.

Further geotechnical site investigations, long term rock slope monitoring to establish slope regression rates, and safe slope setback requirements were recommended as input to the planning and design stages prior to high rise commercial building construction.