Cost-Effective Innovation to Enhance Sediment Control Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness

An ideal sediment control device should have a combination of high sediment retention and high seepage. This innovative product has demonstrated 94% sediment retention effectiveness and 94% seepage effectiveness in the NTPEP testing using the AASHTO ASTM D 7351 test. This paper details how the product achieves exceptional sediment retention while maintaining high seepage.

Most sediment control products sacrifice either sediment retention or seepage. Products that increase the seepage generally lower sediment retention, and vice versa. This paper is for professionals interested in using innovative sediment control solutions.

Full Abstract: Cost-Effective Innovation to Enhance Sediment Control Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness

Udare Santha
Lanka Santha, P.E.
RoLanka International, Inc.

Soil erosion and sediment control pose significant challenges in the construction industry. Various techniques and products are used for sediment control. Frequently used solutions and techniques include slope length shortening, perimeter sediment control, check dams, and drop inlet protection. As the industry advances, awareness and concerns have increased around the environmental impact of the materials used in products for erosion and sediment control, as well as the environmental dangers of uncontrolled sediment. Some states have even begun requiring temporary sediment control products to be made from biodegradable natural fibers, creating a demand for fully biodegradable sediment control products.

Only a few fully biodegradable sediment control products are currently available. Natural fiber wattles and natural fiber logs with biodegradable netting are common within the industry; however, they are bulky and require significant space and handling requirements for transport and storage. The size of these products can also increase labor costs due to longer handling and installation times. Although natural fiber wattles and logs have a high soil retention rate, the seepage performance is poor, which can lead to these products unintentionally acting as a dam when used for sediment control. There is currently an unmet need for a fully biodegradable product in the erosion and sediment control industry that is cost-effective with high performance in both soil retention and seepage. As trends in environmental policy continue toward prioritizing biodegradable products, a natural fiber sediment control product with both high seepage and high sediment retention will be essential.
This paper outlines a product made with coconut fiber, a strong and durable natural fiber, that solves the previously outlined problems. This innovative product has been NTPEP tested using the AASHTO ASTM D 7351 test. The results show 94% sediment retention effectiveness and 94% seepage effectiveness. This result is considered exceptional for any sediment control device while also being completely biodegradable. It is significantly smaller than traditional fiber wattles and logs – leading to easier storage, handling, and installation – with higher performance in both sediment retention and seepage. The product consists of a thin, three-dimensional coconut fiber fabric wrapped with high-strength coconut fiber netting. Sixty feet of the product occupies a space of 2'x2'x1' with a weight about 20 lb., meaning someone able to carry 40 lb. could carry 120’ of the product.

This paper details innovative sediment control solutions with a fully biodegradable and compact product that achieves exceptional sediment retention while maintaining high seepage, a breakthrough in the industry that solves many unmet needs.