A new biomimicry-inspired geotechnical concept known as SpiderNail has been unveiled as a potential solution to improve slope stability and reduce the cost of infrastructure development in Sri Lanka’s landslide-prone hill country.
The concept was introduced during a technical seminar titled “Economical Restoration of Cyclone Ditwah Damages – Reinventing Geotechnics for the Protection of Sri Lanka’s Upcountry”, held at the Central Province Governor’s Office in Kandy on June 12.
Developed as a response to the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the SpiderNail system applies engineering principles inspired by the structural mechanics of spider webs. Unlike conventional slope stabilisation methods that rely on individual structural elements, the concept distributes loads through interconnected reinforcement systems designed to enhance stability while reducing material use.
Presenters argued that traditional methods such as reinforced concrete retaining walls and shotcrete are becoming increasingly expensive, environmentally intrusive and dependent on imported materials, placing additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to preliminary conceptual analyses presented at the seminar, the SpiderNail system has the potential to reduce construction costs by more than 30 per cent compared with conventional slope stabilisation structures. It is also expected to lower the carbon footprint of projects while integrating more naturally with surrounding landscapes.
The seminar was jointly organised by SoilTech and Kohu Kreations and featured research led by a team of young engineers focused on sustainable geotechnical solutions.
Around 50 representatives from government agencies, academia and the engineering sector attended the event, including officials from the Road Development Authority, Central Environmental Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) and several provincial universities.
Central Province Governor Professor Sarath Abayakoon, a geotechnical engineer and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, attended as the chief guest, while SoilTech Managing Director Chandra Gamage participated in discussions on the technology’s future applications.
In addition to SpiderNail, the seminar showcased several locally developed engineering solutions, including CrackGuard, artificial intelligence-based slope monitoring systems, rapid restoration techniques and green slope engineering models.
Organisers said further field testing and research would be required before SpiderNail could be deployed on a wider scale, expressing confidence that the concept has the potential to evolve into a geotechnical solution with international applications.
