Lifetime cost and performance of slope erosion control products for construction

摘要

This study investigated the relationship between cost and performance of slope erosion control products in the Texas Department of Transportation's Approved Products List. Using (1) the erosion control performance data, (2) product cost data collected from surveys and (3) predicted product longevity based on material composition, a lifetime product performance, which estimated the potential soil amount protected by the product over time, was quantified. The study also examined the relationship between product price, soil loss performance and predicted longevity. The results indicate that product price was highly associated with predicted longevity. Products that could offer the longest protection cost more than those offering short or temporary protection. Results also show that price did not correlate with initial soil protection performance. Rather, price significantly correlated with lifetime product performance, which indicates that marketed product prices well represent the lifetime worth.