Role of Water Absorption on Rainsplash Erosion Performance of Natural Fiber RECPs

Jennifer L. Smith, Shobha K. Bhatia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

Abstract

Natural fibers are commonly used in geosynthetic rolled erosion control products (RECPs). One distinguishing feature of natural fiber RECPs is their ability to absorb water. Water improves the contact and adhesion of RECPs with underlying soil, increases the ability of RECPs to absorb raindrop energy, and helps RECPs moderate soil conditions. Although water absorption is an important natural fiber RECP property, it is not typically used for design. Further, the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) standard test method used to measure the absorptive capacity of natural fiber RECPs was found to produce results that varied over a wide range and did not correlate well with soil loss results obtained from rainsplash erosion tests. To address these concerns, a water uptake test was developed to measure the rate and volume of water that an RECP can absorb. This paper presents water uptake test results for eight different natural fiber RECPs. Results are correlated to soil loss results from rainsplash erosion tests. Overall, the water uptake test was found to provide useful results for the manufacture, design, and selection of RECPs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeotechnical Special Publication
EditorsChristopher L. Meehan, Sanjeev Kumar, Miguel A. Pando, Joseph T. Coe
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages185-192
Number of pages8
EditionGSP 312
ISBN (Electronic)9780784482148
ISBN (Print)9780784482148
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Geoenvironmental Engineering and Sustainability, Geo-Congress 2019 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Mar 24 2019Mar 27 2019

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
NumberGSP 312
Volume2019-March
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Geoenvironmental Engineering and Sustainability, Geo-Congress 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period3/24/193/27/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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