Surface erosion countermeasures incorporating geotextiles

Heibaum, M. (2016) Surface erosion countermeasures incorporating geotextiles. In: ICSE 2016 (8th International Conference on Scour and Erosion), 12-15 September 2016, Oxford, UK.

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Abstract

Nature often demonstrates the power of water to be stronger than soil and vegetation, often even stronger than rock. Even seemingly mild hydraulic load from rainfall can be the reason for severe impact on structures and ground. To achieve erosion mitigation or to hinder erosion at all, either the action of the water has to be reduced or the resistance of the ground and man-made earth structures has to be increased. The first results in controlling, the second in opposing the water. Countermeasures to rainfall runoff are agricultural measures like disking or contour ploughing, or structural measures like terracing or building checks in erosion rills and gullies. Vegetation stabilizes the surface, but may need protection, at least during growth. Countermeasures against flood erosion at the upper bank or due to overtopping of an earth structure are appropriate reinforcement or surface protection. In all cases, well planned measures incorporating geosynthetics can help to achieve the desired stability.

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