Meeting Today’s Environmental Challenge
Synthetic soil saver blankets and mats have become a popular and sensible choice for cost effective, technically proven, permanent solutions to promote stabilisation and control erosion.
When selecting what to use there are a number of features and attributes to consider, not to mention the design aspects of the project as the degree of dispersion, sloping and hydraulic conditions.
Bio-Degradable Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs) are temporary and are designed to provide erosion control and assist in establishment of vegetation. ECBs are used to aid the plant’s ability to control erosion where it would be unable to do so alone. They aim to protect bare soils, mainly on slopes, from the impact of rain. While, they can also suppress weeds and can form a useful mulch layer, promoting seed germination.
Erosion Control Blankets provide immediate protection and are easy to install. However, they have limited shear strengths and are therefore not generally appropriate for use in areas of significant concentration flow (high shear stress).
Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM’s) on the other hand, offer permanent engineered solutions that provide erosion control and can assist in establishment of vegetation, but primarily provide permanent reinforcement to the soil until such a time as vegetation can be fully established. TRMs are typically used in situations where water flows are strong, soils are poor and vegetation is difficult to establish.
Turf Reinforcement Mats are perfect for moderate flow storm water channels, banks and steep slopes where both immediate and long term erosion control are needed. TRMs trap more seed, soil and water than traditional hard armour products, yielding faster and fuller vegetation.
When installed properly, Turf Reinforcement Mats have very high velocity and sheer stress tolerances, long-term material longevity, relatively low material and installation cost, aesthetic appeal, high permeability and don’t interfere with wildlife or their habitat.
Contact your Global Synthetic representative to find out which product your project requires and how we can assist you in the installation and maintenance of your Erosion Control Blanket’s and Turf Reinforcement Mat’s.