Control of runoff erosion using jute and coir geomeshes

Abstract

The process of transportation and detachment of top soil along with other organic materials by wind, water and other human activity is known as soil erosion. Among various forms of erosion, runoff erosion induced by the runoff rain water is most common and results in various minor to major problems. Bioengineering technique using natural vegetation and geomesh or open weave RECPs (Rolled Erosion Control Products) is one of the most effective methods of addressing runoff erosion control. Geomeshes provide temporary support to the soil until the permanent vegetation is established on the slopes. Runoff erosion gets mitigated by the crosslaid weft yarns of these geomeshes by way of creating hindrance and micro storage against the direction of runoff water. Volume of such micro storage depends on the soil slope angle, weft yarn diameter and weft density of geomeshes. Biodegradable open weave geomeshes effectively mitigate runoff erosion, but very limited studies have been reported till date regarding the properties of geomeshes which influence their erosion control behavior. newlineTill now, only plain woven geomeshes are being used over all soil type to control soil erosion. Importance of soil type is neglected during designing of geomeshes. In this study, different woven structures of jute and coir geomeshes are tested for soil erosion control at different slope angles and soil types like loamy sand, silt loam and silty clay loam. The influence of jute and coir geomeshes is evaluated over different soils and vegetation growth is evaluated using ASTM D 7322 standard. It is observed that weave type and soil type influence the vegetation growth based on soil fertility and flexural rigidity of geomeshes. Based on the study, it is suggested that twill woven structure of jute geomeshes should be used on silt loam and silt clay soil at lower and medium slope angle. At a higher slope angle, plain weave of jute geomesh should be used for better erosion control over loamy sand soil. newlineCombined effect of geomeshes and vege