The results from the FE analysis also showed that the shear contact forces between the sides of the barrettes and the rock are essential for ensuring the wall’s stability and producing the clamping normal forces. A simple model was therefore developed in order to quantify the shear contact forces necessary to stabilise the wall. In the model, a ‘brake’ disc idealises the barrettes (Fig. 4(b)). This method allows a very simple determination of the friction necessary to counterbalance the overturning moment due to weight of the slope.