Comparison of Prototype Scale and Bench Scale Testing Methods for Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs)

摘要

Testing of Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) is conducted by a variety of methods to determine index properties, conformance indices and performance thresholds. Index testing methods are used to determine tensile strength, mass per unit area, thickness and light penetration among other physical properties. Bench scale testing methods were developed to provide a less expensive method of evaluating the erosion control potential of an RECP, however have not been shown to be indicative of field performance. Full scale performance testing to determine performance thresholds is also conducted. In order to meet the needs of the RECP industry with respect to the most economical means of product performance evaluation, a study of publicly available data from full scale and bench scale protocols was conducted. The goal of the study was to compare results from currently utilized performance standards with bench scale standards. Additionally, the possibility of developing a correlation matrix between bench scale and full scale results was investigated. The study was initiated and supported by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). This paper provides an overview of the data collection process, and analysis of the collected data. Further, a direct comparison is made between test methods as well as a comparison as related to the measurable physical properties of the subject products. Finally, additional data, collected since the execution of the NCHRP study, was utilized to confirm the results of the previous analysis.