Morsky Shotrods System Demonstrated

The Morsky Group of Companies demonstrated its “Shotrods Hy-Speed Soil Nailing System” for media and other interested observers in Regina and Saskatoon this month.  Based on technology originally developed for the British military, the Shotrod equipment uses compressed air to drive steel rods into slopes at high speeds, to remediate landslides and halt regression of unsafe scarps.

Communities of Tomorrow has provided research funding to assist the Morsky Group in field-testing the system.

“It is, basically, the world’s biggest nail gun,” says Wayne Morsky, President and CEO of the Morsky Group of Companies.

Shotrods are designed to stabilize slips, settlements and landslides; failing retaining walls and horizontal drainage.  They can also act as micro-piles to provide foundation support. The system can respond rapidly when soil embankments fail and it is usable in difficult locations where traditional “cut and fill” techniques may be challenging.

“When options are limited, especially due to environmental concerns, this is a great solution,” says Morsky. “It’s just two pieces of equipment and a small crew that can mobilize quite quickly anywhere in the country. It’s cheap to move and very cost-effective.”

Morksy Hyspeed Soil Nailing Ltd. Holds the rights for the use of the shotrods system in Canada, and has already attracted attention from outside Saskatchewan. In March the Canadian Construction Association presented Morsky with the Excellence in Innovation Award in recognition of development of the soil nailing system.

“This is the kind of innovation we seek out,” says Communities of Tomorrow President John Lee. “We are very pleased to able to help Morsky move forward with this technology because it represents such a different and simple way to fix a problem that is universal.”

You can learn more about the Morsky Hyspeed Soil Nailing system at www.morsky.ca .