The Soil Nailing method has been developed at Bauer Spezialtiefbau within the framework of a research project supported by the German Federal Ministry for Research and Technology. 

The basic principle of soil nailing is to place rebar into the natural soil in an effort to increase its tensile strength and shear strength. 

Soil nailing is used when the natural soil has adequate compressive strength, but low levels of tensile and shear strength.  In this condition, soil nailing serves to improve the load-bearing behavior of the natural soil. 

The original subsoil is therefore turned into a composite body which, in terms of load-bearing behavior, is similar to a gravity wall capable of taking up external forces so that the soil is integrated into the structure as a structural component.

In a number of applications, soil nailing proved to be the economic and most viable solution. 

Specific examples would be slope stabilization projects as well as to the preparation of excavation pits under extremely difficult conditions.