THE EXPANDING ROLE OF GEOSYNTHETICS IN EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

The use of geosynthetic erosion and sediment materials continues to expand at a rapid pace. From their early beginnings in the late 1950s, geosynthetic materials today are the backbone of the erosion and sediment control industry. Geosynthetic components are an integral part of erosion and sediment materials ranging from temporary products such as hydraulic mulch geofibers, plastic erosion control meshes and nettings, erosion control blankets, and silt fences to high-performance turf reinforcement mats, geocellular confinement systems, erosion control geotextiles, fabric formed revetments and concrete block systems. This paper provides a brief overview of these materials and concepts, and how they may be designed and incorporated into cost effective applications.