Erosion control materials are essential for building structures that mitigate wind and water erosion. Common types include blankets, rolls, and fences.
Erosion control blankets are usually woven forms made of one or more materials. They are used to cover soil and protect it from wind and water movements.
Erosion control materials used for blankets can be widely divided into synthetic and natural. These blankets can be made out of straw, coconut fiber, aspen fiber, jute and polypropylene. There are variations of these structures. For example, jute and fabrijute (plastic) nettings can be used alone, but can also be used in combination with loose material underneath. Straw, coconut fiber or shredded aspen are commonly used as loose filling held by one or two layers of synthetic or jute netting. The important part is to ensure that water moves over the top of the blanket and not underneath it. This can be accomplished by digging a small trench on the top of the slope. In this trench the top end of the material should be buried and overlapped by the higher blanket.
Fiber rolls are usually made of the same erosion control materials used for blankets, but are rolled into large diameter structures. These structures can be of any diameter and are usually encased in some kind of netting. The purpose of these logs is to slow down water and wind, and thus prevent erosion. The most common erosion control materials used in fiber rolls are coconut fiber, rice wattle and wheat wattle. Fiber logs need to be fixed in place so that soil and water cannot move them. A trench depth should be equal to half of the log diameter. Stakes are used to hold them in place. They are approximately 0.6m to 0.9m apart and the type of needed stake is dependent on the particular case.
Protective fences are also made of erosion control materials. They can be made of natural or synthetic material, and structure can be meshy or solid. A typical fence consists of synthetic filter fabric (geotextile) stretched between wooden or metal stakes along a horizontal contour level. Although quite popular, its effectiveness in controlling sediment movement is usually limited, due to problematic installation and/or inadequate maintenance. Even if effective during useful life, silt fences are eventually buried with eroded soil and new ones have to be installed, or eroded soil has to be removed.
None of these erosion control approaches provides conditions for planting. Erosion control blankets represent physical barriers for plant growth, while fiber rolls and protective fences allow soil to move to some extent and thus seeds would be moved as well.
Are environmental regulations, health and safety concerns or potential profit loss a concern right now?
Global Road Technology developed erosion control product which serves all desired purposes related to erosion control. GRT-ENVIRO Soil Binder enables stabilization without bringing in large amounts of erosion control materials and their installation. This polymer-based product improves soil properties for planting and makes soil less susceptible to influences of precipitation water and wind. Upon being sprayed onto soil, GRT-ENVIRO Soil Binder acts by agglomerating soil particles and by increasing cohesiveness between them. Therewith optimal porosity in soil is created which enables longer retention of water and nutrients and thus decreases need for irrigation, fertilizing and other treatments. GRT-ENVIRO Soil Binder is suitable for even harsh conditions such as in arid regions with insufficient water resources and with strong winds.
For more information on Global Road Technology please contact GRT.
