Development of innovative PAM-coated fibers for erosion and sediment control

J. L. Smith, S. E. Steele, M. S. Driscoll, D. Daley, S. K. Bhatia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

Abstract

Although existing best management practices (BMPs) can be effective in providing erosion resistance and sediment control, a BMP is typically not able to provide both functions. This study attempts to fill this gap by developing innovative polyacrylamide (PAM)-coated natural-fiber rolled erosion control products (RECPs) to provide combined erosion and sediment control. A process for coating natural-fiber RECPs with PAM by cross-linking with ultraviolet (UV) light was developed. The effectiveness of the PAM-coated RECPs in reducing soil losses and improving runoff turbidity was evaluated through laboratory rainsplash tests. In terms of soil losses, both the PAM-treated coir and wood RECPs performed similarly. The PAM-coated coir and wood RECPs decreased cumulative soil losses by 93% and 94%, respectively, in comparison to bare soil conditions. The treated coir and wood RECPs were also 21% and 18%, respectively, more effective in reducing cumulative soil losses than untreated RECPs. In terms of turbidity, the PAM-treated coir was slightly more effective (91%) than the PAM-treated wood RECP (84%) in reducing turbidity in comparison to bare soil conditions. The treated coir and wood RECPs were also 28% and 10%, respectively, more effective in reducing cumulative soil losses than untreated RECPs. Streaming current detection (SCD) results indicate that PAM is being released incrementally from the coated fibers during rainsplash tests. Overall, coating RECPs with PAM increases the effectiveness of RECPs in terms of reducing soil erosion and turbidity from bare soil slopes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication10th International Conference on Geosynthetics, ICG 2014
EditorsMartin Ziegler, Kirsten Laackmann, Gerhard Brau, Georg Heerten
PublisherDeutsche Gesellschaft fur Geotechnik e.V.
ISBN (Electronic)9783981395396
StatePublished - 2014
Event10th International Conference on Geosynthetics, ICG 2014 - Berlin, Germany
Duration: Sep 21 2014Sep 25 2014

Publication series

Name10th International Conference on Geosynthetics, ICG 2014

Other

Other10th International Conference on Geosynthetics, ICG 2014
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityBerlin
Period9/21/149/25/14

Keywords

  • Polyacrylamide
  • Rainsplash tests
  • Rolled erosion control products
  • Soil erosion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atmospheric Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Polymers and Plastics

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