Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/33068
Title: Improved levee resilience through soil application of a natural organic polymer; field study : Kaufman Levee No. 1
Authors: Larson, Steven L.
Gent, David B.
Butler, Afrachanna D.
Corcoran, Maureen K.
Nestler, Catherine C.
Keywords: Biopolymers
Erosion control
Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)
Field demonstration
Image analysis
Levee maintenance
Re-vegetation
Slope stability
Soil additives
Publisher: Environmental Laboratory (U.S.)
Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Technical Report (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC TR-19-6
Abstract: The Kaufman Levee No. 1 rehabilitation project is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Fort Worth District. Three areas along the levee, from river mile 445 to river mile 452, were damaged and experienced slope failure as the result of high energy flows in September 2009 and January 2010. In order to provide protection, set-back levees were designed, constructed, and vegetated in 2015. Methods currently used to maintain levees (geotextiles, mulch, riprap, and vegetation) are based on reducing transport of suspended solids from the slope and preventing erosion. Biopolymer was first evaluated at pilot scale for enhanced establishment of grass sod. It was established that determination of the root-adhering soil is an accurate prediction of field success in enhancing the root:soil integration essential to reducing soil erosion on slopes. The field study evaluated the revegetation of a levee with Bermuda grass in soil amended with organic polymer. A digital photographic image analysis technique was successfully deployed to reduce manpower and monitoring field costs for grassed levees. In conclusion, under realistic use, biopolymer soil amendment is an effective means to enhance vegetation on levee slopes, leading to greater slope stability and the potential for reduced maintenance costs.
Description: Technical Report
Gov't Doc #: ERDC TR-19-6
Rights: Approved for Public Release; Distribution
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/33068
http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/33068
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

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