Evaluation of two RECPs for slope stabilization under tropical conditions

摘要

This paper presents the studies performed to evaluate the performance of Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) in the prevention of sheet erosion under simulated rain conditions on a road cut slope. The three different RECPs used were: ARP 430 Vegetative Screen; ARP 440 Biotextile Screen; and Grass Mulch Geotextile. Two control plots were utilized: Control 1 (no rolled product and no vegetation), and Control 2 (only grass vegetation and no rolled product). A road slope 47.20 meters in length withan average height of 7.68 meters and slope angle of 45 deg in red podzolic soil was chosen for the test site. The site was chosen due to its edafics and climatic similarity to the typical Brazilian road slope found in the South and Southeast regions. The length of study was 360 days. Two simulated rains events were applied to the plots at 330 days and 360 days following installation. A rainfall intensity of 65 millimeters per hour was chosen to simulate the actual rain conditions in the area. Physicaland chemical characterization of the soil, fertilization testings and erosion studies were performed to establish the optimum conditions for vegetation establishment and erosion prevention using RECPs on road cut slopes under tropical climate conditions.