Soil erosion is the process whereby the top loose soil on a surface is carried away gradually by various natural forces. On construction sites, one of the main problems to look out for is the extents of erosion brought about by activities on the site. From digging foundations to truck and foot traffic, construction sites experience active and persistent top soil loosening. When rains come, the result is storm water carrying massive amounts of soil from these areas. This can be detrimental to the overall project. If a lawn was to be planted, for instance, it may not be able to grow as expected due to the constant erosion. The same erosion would affect aspects such as landscaping and soil packing for various activities.
This is why it is important to have erosion control experts around while undertaking any construction. There are several ways to mitigate soil erosion on construction sites. Planting natural vegetation would be one such way. It, however, isn't quick or effective enough for a construction site. Key among the most practical ways include:
Silt fences
Silt fences are effective erosion control materials for use at slightly sloping construction sites. A silt fence is typically a fabric meant to stop sediment being carried by water down the slope. The fabric root is installed deep within the earth across the path of the slope. If a lawn was to be grown in such an area, this would be the most important erosion control option.
Ripraps
A riprap can be simply described as a layer of interlocking stones deposited over loose soil on a construction site. Ripraps prevent erosion in areas that experience constant runoff. In many instances, concrete contractors use the various residue concrete from the construction activities to create these. A synthetic geotextile addition may be necessary to stop finer sediment from coursing through the interlocking stones.
Articulated concrete blocks
In larger sites, another erosion control mechanism used is by layering articulated concrete blocks over areas experiencing erosion. The blocks make up a grid of elaborate concrete mosaic over an area. These are especially useful on steep, sloping areas and help prevent sediment from getting into channels or rivers near the site.
MSE earth retaining wall
Mechanically stabilized earth wall is also one of the widely used erosion control options in many sites. The walls are simple to erect, less time consuming, more fortified and, in some cases, inexpensive when compared to the more traditional method of using reinforced concrete walls for erosion control. MSE walls can also be made high or curved along an edge, giving more versatility to erosion control options. The bricks are usually made of granular soil-filled precast concrete.
