Evaluation of ALDOT Erosion Control Practices using Rainfall Simulation on Various Soil Types and Slope Gradients
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Evaluation of ALDOT Erosion Control Practices using Rainfall Simulation on Various Soil Types and Slope Gradients

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  • Creators:
  • Corporate Creators:
    Auburn University. Highway Research Center
  • Corporate Contributors:
    Alabama. Department of Transportation
  • Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Resource Type:
    Tech Report
  • Geographical Coverage:
    United States
  • Corporate Publisher:
    Auburn University. Highway Research Center
  • Abstract:
    Construction sites rely on erosion control practices to protect bare slopes and prevent soil loss. This study used large scale rainfall simulators to evaluate various erosion control methods used by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on construction sites. The study included the construction of 12 rainfall simulators at the Auburn University – Stormwater Research Facility (AU-SRF) using three different soil types (i.e., clay, sand, and loam) and two slope configurations (e.g. 3:1 and 4:1). All testing and data collection is in accordance with ASTM D6459-19, the standard test method for testing Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECP) performance in protecting hillslopes from rainfall-induced erosion. This ASTM method is a full-scale performance assessment of the amount of soil lost on a slope in a storm with varying intensity. Some key aspects in this standard include calibration of equipment, preparation of test plot, documentation of RECP to be tested, installation of RECP, performance of test, collection of runoff and associated sediment yield, analysis of the resultant data, and reporting. In accordance with ASTM D6459-15, the rainfall simulators simulated a storm of varying 20-minute increments of 2 in./hr (5.08 cm/hr), 4 in./hr (10.16 cm/hr), and 6 in./hr (15.24 cm/hr). The simulator achieved a natural raindrop size and distribution according to calibration techniques outlined in the standard. Runoff volume and sediment concentration samples were recorded throughout the test. The total sediment lost during the test was collected and recorded for each rainfall intensity interval. Testing for this project began by conducting bare soil tests to analyze the amount of sediment lost without the use of erosion control methods. A total of nine bare soil tests on the 4:1 test plots have been performed to date with an average total soil loss of 1,977 lbs, 236 lbs, and 114 lbs for sand, loam, and clay respectively. The average k-factor for each soil type was calculated to be 0.37 (sand), 0.043 (loam), and 0.013 (clay). Nine crimped straw tests have been performed on the 4:1 plots with an average total soil loss of 44.3 lbs, 6.7 lbs, and 17.1 lbs for sand, loam, and clay respectively. Crimped straw testing indicated substantial soil loss reduction with average C-factor values of 0.021, 0.047, and 0.193 for sand, loam, and clay applications respectively. AU-SRF will continue to test a variety of erosion control products and practices (e.g., hydraulic mulches, straw cover, erosion control blankets, etc.) to fulfill final project objectives.
  • Format:
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  • Funding:
    931-016
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