Geosynthetics August/September 2022 - 39

available to meet the varying conditions,
with Type 4 ECBs having the highest permissible
shear stress of 2.25 pounds per
square foot (108 Pa) according to ASTM
D6460 testing. TRMs have a minimum
unvegetated permissible shear stress
requirement of 2.0 pounds per square
foot (96 Pa) according to D6460, but vegetated
TRMs have a minimum vegetated
permissible shear stress of 14.0 pounds
per square foot (670 Pa). TRMs verified
to meet design requirements have
been used to successfully replace rock
riprap down shoots at some mines. In
addition, TRMs are utilized to reinforce
vegetation in ditches next to haul roads at
mining operations. Several ECTC directing
members have free erosion control
software programs to determine which
product will be suitable for your specific
mine conditions.
SRFRs are another tool in the best
management practice toolbox to provide
sediment control benefits across mines.
SRFRs are commonly placed across
slopes at mines to break up the effective
slope length and prevent concentrated
flow conditions from developing on the
slopes. SRFRs are also commonly used
in areas of channelized flow. There are
two types of SRFRs, depending on the
goal of the installation. Most SRFRs are
designed to be dense products to pool
flows; however, some SRFRs are designed
to be porous so contaminated runoff can
flow through their matrix and be filtered.
ECTC members recognize that soil
health is critical to our success. Several
BMPs used at mining sites depend on vegetation
as the long-term erosion control
solution. Thus, it is imperative to conduct
soil tests before deploying seed and erosion
control or revegetation products. Soil
amendments may also be needed as part
Successful synergistic approach to erosion control, sediment control and revegetation on
this mine site. Turf reinforcement mat (TRM) was installed down the center of the channel,
erosion control blanket (ECB) on the slopes, hydraulic erosion control product (HECP) on the
flat surface above slope, and sediment retention fiber rolls (SRFRs) across the channel. Material
was installed by Kulig Contracting. Photo courtesy of Jake Budish
of the solution to support long-lasting
vegetation, which is the ultimate goal of
many mine sites. Synergistic approaches
that utilize HECPs, RECPs, SRFRs, and
other erosion and sediment control products
have proven successful at mine sites
in the past and will continue to help solve
their challenges into the future.
Please contact Jon Curry (jcurry@
ectc.org), ECTC executive director, with
any questions or comments regarding
this article. He will be sure to communicate
your questions or comments
to ECTC membership, then provide a
timely response. G
>> For more, search ECTC at
GeosyntheticsMagazine.com.
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Geosynthetics August/September 2022

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