Slope and rockfall protection
The face of a slope and its geometry can be critical to long-term performance and any change to its angle or shape may even lead to failure. Progressive surface erosion poses risks to the stability and in the long term can lead to falls of debris, rocks and boulders with the associated threat to neighbouring areas.
Surface erosion is usually a progressive mode of failure with the minor pitting of an unprotected soil surface progressing to the formation of runnels, which concentrate run-off flow and lead to deeper channels forming an eventual loss of stability.
Progressive surface erosion can lead to delays whilst clearance and repairs are undertaken and could also lead to the failure of structures on top of the slope. The natural defence against either water or wind erosion is the root matrix of grasses, plants and trees, which hold the soil together. This is only possible after a period of growth time and the slope face will remain unprotected until then. The Enka Solutions range of Enkamat erosion control products protects the slope immediately after construction by creating an artificial root matrix on the face of the slope by protecting and by locally embedding the soil. The open nature of Enkamat with over 90% voids and high filament density ensures embedding of the topsoil. It enables hand seeding, planting or hydroseeding to establish vegetation without impeding root growth or passage of moisture.
Rocky slopes with stones and boulders can be dangerous, when due to water and wind erosion, rocks and stones get unstable and roll down from the slope. This instability may cause damage and accidents when there is, for example, a road or residential area at the foot of the slope.
On rocky slopes, the reinforced and flexible Enkamat W or R is pinned to ensure close contact with the ground. It functions as a flexible grip layer in which soil is retained and seeds germinate easily. When a slope is very steep, Enkamat may be mulched or hydro-seeded.
Enka-Net woven materials protect soil surfaces from direct rainfall and prevent soil from washing out of the slope face prior to vegetation taking hold.
Armater is an open, three-dimensional honeycomb matrix of nonwoven material which, when pegged to a slope surface, physically embeds individual cells of topsoil or granular material at the slope surface, intercepting and preventing the continuation of any runnels and enabling the flow of surface water without allowing the soil to be transported.
On weathered rock surfaces fine grained soils and small stones are washed out by wind and rain undermining the establishment of vegetation. The use of a pinned Enkamat facing or a filled Armater mat can provide the necessary stability to allow vegetation to mature.
On rocky surfaces bolting, anchoring and wire netting may be required to ensure larger stones are not dislodged. Enkamat pinned behind the face netting will retain smaller stones and particles and provide a growth medium where vegetation can establish through hydroseeding or hand planting.
Functions:
- Surface stabilisation
- Support of vegetation
- Prevention of splash, runnel and gully erosion
Relevant products:
- Enkamat®
- Enkamat® W
- Enkamat® R
- Armater®
- Enka®-Net
