CLASSIFYING ROLLED EROSION-CONTROL PRODUCTS: A CURRENT PERSPECTIVE

This paper presents the current classifications for rolled erosion- control products (RECPs), designed to help reduce immediate erosion- control problems, and provide long-term soil stabilisation, by establishing and maintaining vegetative cover. RECPs include: (1) erosion-control nettings; (2) open-weave geotextile meshes; (3) erosion-control blankets; and (4) geosynthetic mattings. The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC), an organisation formed by RECP manufacturers in the USA, is developing classifications for the different types of RECPs. The ECTC system uses the following categories: (1) low-velocity degradable RECPs; (2) high-velocity degradable RECPs; and (3) long-term nondegradable RECPs. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-35 Subcommittee is focusing on standards development for geosynthetic materials and test methods for erosion-control applications.