Comprehensive overview of soil erosion control: Design of anti-erosive geomats for effective slope stabilization

Officine Maccaferri SpA, Bologna, Italy

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Climate change is altering rainfall patterns, leading to more frequent events and intense downpours. These short intense rains, unlike the consistent precipitation of the past, increase soil erosion. The higher intensity and shorter duration make slopes more susceptible to instability, especially if they are already vulnerable, resulting in formation of gullies and other erosive features. The soil erosion can impact infrastructures, such as roads, railways, and buildings, and sensitive natural environments. Soil erosion control is essential for preventing slope instability and natural disasters, a clear method for designing and calculating soil loss is rarely used. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) estimates annual soil erosion by considering factors: erosivity (R), erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), coverage, management, and practices (CPM). An unprotected slope of bare soil has a C factor of one, whereas a protected slope with erosion control solution is characterized by a lower C factor. RUSLE method allows comparing soil loss with and without a protective solution. Extensive analysis and comparisons have shown that polymeric geomats represent among the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to reduce soil loss, providing significant protection to slopes, and benefiting both the environment and infrastructure. The calculation of soil loss for the first year of the project is not the only check to verify. To prevent the geomat breakage during installation and maintenance, securing it with anchorage is crucial. Proper analysis of slope stability during installation is necessary to prevent breakage and collapse that could lead to soil loss.