Erosion Control Blankets
Erosion control blankets are artificial covers specially designed for installation on soil surface thereby preventing devastating effects of soil erosion. They are perfect material you can install on exposed soils. Usually, they offer this protection for a limited period of time and also give an opportunity for the growth of vegetation.
Erosion Control Blankets Properties
Flexibility – The erosion control blankets are made in the form of open weaves and can therefore bend into a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate irregular surfaces.
Water Absorption – Erosion Control Blankets have high water absorption rates. The water is then retained within the structure, providing water for the growth of vegetation.
Lightweight – The products typical constitute natural fibers that have light weight. This property influences their ease in transportation and installation.
Puncture Resistance – High puncture resistance will ensure that the material is able to perform efficiently for a long
Interface Friction – Erosion control blankets should offer enough friction with the soil which helps in preventing them from sliding or slipping once installed.
Anchoring Mechanism – During their installation the erosion control blankets have to be reinforced using staples or other mechanism for mechanical stability.
How Erosion Control Blankets Work
Using erosion blankets aids in minimizing surface soil displacement and facilitating ideal conditions for vegetation growth. They work by holding the roots firmly in place. Erosion control blankets help retain the water absorbed while allowing the vegetation to receive enough sunlight.
Additionally, the erosion control products prohibit land pollution from the eroded water/soil. The blanket will decompose with time, leaving the landscape protected from erosion and vegetation
Erosion Control Blankets Advantages
These erosion control products offer a myriad of benefits throughout their lifespan.
- Customizability: Customizability refers to the quality of the erosion control blankets to be made based on desired thickness, shape and densities to suite different applications.
- Environment friendly: Erosion control blankets are decomposed by microorganisms naturally and there is no need for future cleaning of the environment.
- Cost effectiveness: The costs incurred in the manufacture, transportation and installation of erosion control blankets are relatively low.
- Enhance vegetation growth: The blanket layer stabilizes the soil and holds the roots of vegetation making them grow faster.
Erosion Control Blankets vs. Turf Reinforcement Mats
They exhibit different properties that make them suitable for different applications. Let us briefly look at some of these differences:
| Properties | Erosion Control Blanket | Turf Reinforcement mats |
| Service life | Erosion control blankets provide temporary soil erosion protection and can be used for a few months. | Turf reinforcement mats have a longer service life and can be used for decades. |
| Materials | Natural fabrics are the core constituents used in erosion control blanket manufacturing. They degrade with time. | Turf reinforcement mat is made from synthetic fibre hence is not biodegradable. |
| Costs incurred | Lower expenses are incurred as erosion control blankets are simple to produce and do not require expertise in laying down. | The costs incurred in producing and installing turf reinforcement mats are higher. They require extensive preparation of the site. |
| Area of application | They are installed on smooth slopes and water channels streaming at low velocity. | Turf reinforcement mats are ideal for very exceptionally steep slopes and high-speed water channels. |
| Tensile and shear strength | Erosion control blankets have lower tensile and shear strength. | Turf reinforcement mats are made to have higher tensile and shear strength. |
Erosion Control Blankets Types
There exist two erosion control blanket categories based on their degradation. These categories are;
- Biodegradable: These are erosion control blankets that are naturally decomposed by microorganisms. They are used where protecting the natural environment is a key priority
- Photodegradable: During their production, they are reinforced with materials that offer protection against the effects of sunlight. Once the service life of these reinforcers has elapsed the blanket will degrade in exposure to UV radiation.
The primary material used can also help in erosion control blankets classification: They are classified into these 2 groups dependent on the core material:
Natural Fiber Erosion Blankets
These blankets use natural fiber as the primary raw materials. These kinds of erosion control blankets will deteriorate over time owing to microbial breakdown. They therefore have a short life span. Examples are:
- Jute Netting blanket
- Straw blankets reinforced with jute
- Coconut blanket reinforced with two layers of jute
Synthetic Fibers Erosion Control Blankets
These are made from chemically synthetic materials that will not undergo natural degradation.
Composite Erosion Control Blankets
These are produced by reinforcing the natural fiber employing synthetic fabrics. They therefore have improved characteristics. Examples are;
- Straw double synthetic blanket
- Straw blanket reinforced with a single layer of synthetic material
- Coconut blanket netted with two plastic layers
- Excelsior Double Synthetic Blanket
- Excelsior blanket
Erosion Control Blankets Materials
Erosion control blankets manufacturers employ a variety of materials. These materials can either be natural fibre, synthetic fibre or a mixture of both. You have to know the requirements of your specific applications to be able to make the correct material choice.
Let us briefly discuss some of these materials:
Natural Fiber Materials
They are majorly plant fibres that contain cellulose. They include;
- Straw: Found in abundance, less costly and serves exceptionally well as erosion blanket material. They have a short life span and find applications on moderate slopes.
- Coconut fiber: Coconut fibre are used to make erosion control that can withstand water streaming at high velocity. They are suitable for locations that experience heavy rainfall. They are superior in stabilizing the soil and thus preventing soil erosion.
- Jute: Erosion control blankets made from jute are have great water retention properties and visually appealing.
- Aspen fiber: Aspen fiber used in the production of Excelsior blankets and are used on steep slopes.
Synthetic Fiber Materials
- Polypropylene: Polypropylene is the most commonly used polymer used in the production of erosion control blankets. It is efficient for use in very steep slopes and high velocity water streams.
- Polyethylene: Polyethylene are used to make erosion control blankets with high tensile strength and can survive harsh weather.
Where to Use Erosion Control Blankets
Erosion blankets effectiveness in erosion mitigation makes them very instrumental in numerous applications. The products are frequently deployed in the following fields:
Landscaping
Landscaping projects involve heavy usage of the soil which leaves other areas vulnerable to erosion. Erosion blankets solve this problem and protect the landscape from losing its aesthetic value.
Stabilization of Slopes
Erosion and landslides are likely to happen in slopes. The product is instrumental in mitigating these effects.
Reclamation of Mined Lands
Erosion control blankets are crucial in the reclamation of lands that were previously used for mining. They help in stabilizing the soil, protecting it from erosion and enhancing the growth of vegetation.
Re-vegetation Projects
Erosion control blankets are installed in bare soils to promote the growth of plantation.
Areas Prone to Storms
Erosion control blankets protect areas from the adverse effects of storm and ensure the water does not wash away the soil.
Although erosion control blankets have numerous benefits, they also have limitations that you should take into consideration. Let us briefly look at some of these limitations:
- They have a short life
- Limited for use in smooth and moderate slopes
- Costs incurred in their maintenance
- Lack of aesthetic appeal
- They provide an opportunity for the growth of weeds
Determined by the erosion control blanket constituents, you can use it on slopes with varying gradients. However, they are particularly effective for slopes with moderate inclinations. They are commonly used for slopes with gradient of 2:1 or 1.5: 1.
Choosing the best product for your application might prove challenging due to the many erosion control blankets designs available. You should analyze your project needs, amount of money you would wish to spend, the type of slope against the available types of erosion control blanket.
Choose a product that ensures a balance of these considerations. However, you will need further advice from an erosion control expert to make the best decision.
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