CIJC- PUB JOINT SEMINAR ON EROSION

CONTROL, SINGAPORE @ APRIL 20,2005

ABC on BMPs :
A pictorial visit of international practices on erosion
& sediment control practices at construction sites by :
LEONG KWOK WING PE, CPESC, CPSWQ(USA)

WHAT IS EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL?
BIOENGINEERING : NATURAL ENGINEERING
ALTERNATIVE
CASE HISTORIES :
@ EROSION CONTROL TECHNIQUES
@ SEDIMENT & WATER CLARIFICATION PRACTICES
Relative Rate of Erosion caused
by Man-Activities


Forest
Grassland
Abandoned mines
Cropland
Harvested Forest
Active Surface Mining
Construction Sites
Soil Loss Relative
tons/ac-yr Forest
0.04 1
0.38 10
3.75 100
7.50 200
18.75 500
75.00 2000
76.00 2000
What is BMP & BAT ?
BMP is Best Management Practice:
Any program, procedural technique, method-of-
operations, skills, measurement or device that
prevents or removes or reduces pollution.
A measure that is implemented to protect water
quality & reduce pollution from storm water
runoff.

BAT is Best Available Technology:
Best technology to provide solution for problem.
BMP on INTEGRATION of ESCP into SITE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN

TYPICAL EARTHWORK PLAN
BMP DESIGN : MINIMISE CUT & FILL AREAS = MINIMISE EROSION
Construction Site Runoff Flow Plan
Site Sediment Control Plan
Erosion & Sediment Control Plan
Shows site topography
How & when grading
Shows erosion &
sediment control
measures
When implementation
Maintenance
Erosion Sediment Control Plan
10 - Step Planning Process
ESCP is a comprehensive plan designed to address
short term mitigation of erosion & sedimentation
hazards on disturbed areas
Erosion of on-site soils
Transport sediment off-site
Where is erosion & sediment control needed?
What type & How much is needed?
Erosion Sediment Control Plan
10 - Step Planning Process
Step1 Identify Issues & Concerns
Step2 Develop Goals & Objectives
Step3 Collect & Analyze Data
Step4 Develop BMP Selection Criteria
Step5 Nominate Candidate BMPs
Step6 Screen & Select BMPs
Step7 Develop Erosion Control Plan
Step8 Implement the Erosion Control Plan
Step9 Operate, Monitor & Maintain the System
Step10 Update the Plan


Implementation of Erosion &
Sediment Control
Clear & Cut only as required for immediate
construction
Restabilize disturb areas after construction
Divert offsite runoff from erodible soil & slopes
designated areas
Mark clearly limits of construction & disturbances
Explain to workers provisions of ESCP
Designate responsibilities of ESCP to 1 person
Implement daily inspection program for
maintenance & repairs to ESC measures

Other Planning Considerations
Planning of Streets & Lots should relate to site
conditions
Construction plans for Public Utilities should
reduce Sediment-producing hazards: pipelines,
electric transmission, phone cables, gas lines
Environment Quality Enhance w/open spaces,
parks& recreation areas, wetlands, aquatic
Stabilize land & Retain Natural Vegetation
Install Temporary & Permanent Erosion &
Sediment Control Measures Before or As-Soon-
As Construction Activities Starts
Construction: Runoff Control Methods
Applications of BMPs
On-Site Problems = Off-Site Problems = Downstream Problems
BMP for Stormwater Conveyance:
Slope Drain
What? Temporary conduit
Why? Convey concentrated
runoff away cut/fill slope face
When? Construction areas where
excess runoff causes erosion
Design capacity: 10yr storm
Max. Drainage per pipe CMP typ.
0.20ha 360mm
0.30ha 450mm
0.40ha 540mm
Installation: Entrance @ flowline
w/compacted earth berm/dike

BMP for Stormwater
Conveyance: Energy Dissipator
What? A structure designed to control
erosion & prevent scour
Why? Prevent erosion at outlet of
channel/conduit by reducing velocity
& dissipate energy
When? Discharge velocities of
pipe/culvert/divertion/channel exceeds
allowable velocity of receiving
channel/disposal area
Design Capacity: 10 yr peak runoff,
typically Rock-lined apron w/filter
cloth lined basin.

BMP for Runoff Control:
Check Dams
What? Small temporary dams built
across site runoff swales/drainageway
Why? Reduce flow velocities & gully
erosion till permanent structures are
built; traps larger sediment, stabilize
drops hydraulically
When? Drainage area <0.8ha
Design: H 0.6m, Base W 2.4m
L varies, rock size (50-400)mm,
keyed in at base & into bank, centre
of dam is 150mm lower than edges
Inspect/Maint: Check after 25mm
@24hrs storm; Remove silt when
>60% full; Remove after stabilization



What? Stabilization of eroding streambanks with
structures
Why? Protect streambanks from erosive water
flows & debris
When? Increase in erosive flow from construction
activities, v > 2m/s & local vegetative protection
insufficient
Design velocity @ 10yr peak runoff
Structural design to meet design flow, exist.
alignment, surrounding, wildlife & fish habitat.
Many systems, refer following BMPs.


BMP for Structural Streambank
Stabilization
BMP for Structural Streambank
Stabilization: Gabions Protection
What? Rectangular wire baskets
&mattress panels filled w/stones
Why? Build retaining walls for
streambank & slope protectio
When? Armour is needed against
erosive flow forces, pervious
hydraulically, flexible & can be
vegetated w/aqua shrubs & ECMs.
Walls designed as a gravity wall
w/calculations for OTM, Sliding,
Bearing Capacity & Slip-circle.
Uses: Vegetated wall, river deflector,
outlet aprons, weirs, channel lining
Inspect/maint: Check & repair
damaged wires after storm events.

BMP for Structural Streambank
Stabilization: Riprap Protection
What? An layer of sized rocks
Why? To protect soil surface /river bed
from erosive forces
When? Cut & Fill slopes, channel side
slopes & bed, inlets & outlets of
culverts, abutments, storm drains
Design: Uniform riprap: stones are
single size, open flow, more handwork;
Well-graded riprap: cheaper & easier to
install
Specify well graded mixture @ larger
1.5x d50 w/smaller @25mm
Layer T @ 1.5x largest stone but
>150mm, stone sg >2.5, w/filter cloth
BMP for Structural Streambank
Stabilization: Flow Deflectors
What? Structural barriers jetties
Why & When? Bank repair by
diverting flow away from eroding
embankment, rehab & vegetation
How? Deflectors shaped 30-60-90
degrees triangle w/30 degrees
upstream against the bank, spaced 3-5x
groin L, single wingwall @ to &
double wingwall @ across stream
width, rock @ > 0.5m, keyed into bed
>0.3m, tie into other streambank
protection system.
Many systems: Gabions, Geonets
Rockpile, RC, Log cribbing, Geocell
CCS, Concrete Block Wall w/geotex

Channel Protection: Articulated
Concrete Blocks
Construction: Erosion Control
Methods
BMP for Erosion Control:
Site Preparation
What? Furrows created across
slope w/bare soil surface
Why? Reduce runoff velocity, trap
silt, assist vegetation
establishment
When? After surface is cut or fill
before permanent installation
How? Surface roughening by
tracking equipment up&down
slope (>3:1). Step or terracing
(0.75m steps)for soft rock cut
slopes. Combined w/hydro-
mulching/seeding & planting
BMP for Erosion Control:
Hydraulic Planting
What? Method of applying erosion control
materials to bare soil & establishing vegetation on
disturbed areas/critical slopes
Why? Method w/hydraulic equipment
(hydroseeders/hydromulchers) can effectively
apply seeds, fertilizers, tackifiers, mulch & water
over a wide area quickly & uniformly
When? Critical areas with limited/unstable access,
irregular terrain, wide areas. For temporary &
permanent erosion control, slopes@ <3:1 (<20)
Design mix: dependent on local conditions/seeds
BMP for Erosion Control:
Live Staking/Pole
What? Inserting live vegetative
cuttings into soil
Why? To propagate shrub growth
quicker, establishing root system
to reinforce slope soil from erosion
When? During construction after
cut or fill where immediate slope
healing is needed
Design: Plant species, check
w/local plant specialist, harvest
live wood >2-5yr, angle cutting,
50+mm x 0.5m(L), immerse 1/2
Other BMPs: combine w/other
systems: gabions, geocell, riprap
articulated block, log crib, RC crib
BMP for Erosion Control:
Wattles (Live Fascines)
What? Bundles of live shrub branch
cuttings
Why? Reduce erosion & stabilize
slopes, as interracing
How? Reduce flow velocities, traps
sediment, reduce hydraulic slant
length, encourage vegetative growth
w/moisture retention, dryer soil
increases infiltration rate as runoff is
slowed
Design: local species, mixture, woody
2+yrs, cuttings 40mm x1m(L), tied
w/rope in bundles of 200mm x2-
10m(L) @ spacing 0.4m apart, install
from toe up-slope


BMP for Erosion Control:
Turf Reinforced Mattress
What? 3-D plastic matrix mattress,
some w/natural fibre components
Why? Stabilize channelized flows
& protect river slopes & pond edges
How? 3-D matrix reinforces soil &
vegetative root system
When? During construction, after
final grading of channel/pond slope
2:1(35+) @ velocities (3-5)m/s
typically when fully vegetated,
Installation: Clear& grade, secure
TRM w/anchor trenches &
overlappings, seed & gently rake in
topsoil, wet down & level off.
BMP for Erosion Control:
Erosion Control Mattress
What? Natural Fibre mattress
Why? Stabilized exposed slope soil
& assist in establishing vegetation
How? Cushions rain impact energy
& reduce soil migration, retain
moisture, provide shelter for seeds
to germinate & biodegrade biomass,
double netting reinforces plant roots.
Use: hydroseed & cover.
When? Construction after cut & fill,
applied in critical areas to heal &
vegetate, slopes >2:1 (30-45),
higher tensile strength from netting
for various needs,
BMP for Erosion Control:
Geocell Cellular Confinement System
What? 3-D HDPE honeycomb system
that retains earth, gravel or concrete
Why? Permanently protect slope &
channel embankments from erosion
Rock slope: provides a layer of soil for
vegetation, support vegetation in river
channels, flexible armour to protect
river beds from scouring/erosion when
concrete infilled , protect landfill liners
How? Confines, reinforces & restrain
vegetated topsoil or stone infill from
sliding, perforated geocell allows root
propagation & networking for stronger
system, CCS walls are flexible & green
BMP for Sediment Control
Methods:
BMP for Sediment Control:
Dry Sediment Basin - Earth
What? A pond created in
construction site by excavation
Why? Retain/detain runoff for
sediment to settle out
Where? Located at low point but
above drainage outlet
Design: dry pond for soil type C
(coarse grain sand <33%@
<0.02mm), (d) 1.2m(settling@ 0.6m,
storage@ 0.3m & freeboard @
0.2m), 3mo. ARI @ t30:s-area =
200m2/ha, volume = 240m3/ha or
discharge outlet ridge slope protected
by ECM/TRM & vegetated
BMP for Sediment Control:
Wet Sediment Basin - Earth
What? A pond created in
construction site by excavation
Why? Impound full runoff for 1
storm containment for rainfall event
Where? Located at low point but
above drainage outlet
Design: wet pond for soil type F/D
(fine grain loamy clay >33%@
<0.02mm),75% of 5-day rainfall
event , vol. = 1/3 sediment storage =
2-mo soil loss (use MUSLE), eg.
storm event 40mm moderate R-O
volume = 300m3/ha, discharge outlet
ridge slope protected by ECM/TRM
& vegetated
BMP for Sediment Control:
Silt Fence
What? A temporary sediment barrier
made from filter fabric supported on
wooden post entrenched into ground
Why? Detains sediment by ponding
water behind it & allowing sediment
to settle out
Where? Sheet & rill erosion can
occur, surround site & prevent
contamination of adjacent area from
sheet & overland flows, installed
along contours, not for across channel
flow, maintenance: keep clean
Design: Fabric EOS to retains 85%
soil by wt., (H) 1m, post spacing @
3m, driven-in 0.3m, storage < 0.5m
BMP for Sediment Control:
Curb Inlet Sediment Barrier(sandbags)
What? A barriers built from
layers of sandbags
Why? Prevent sediment flowing
into inlets, provide temp. storage
of sediment after 1 rainfall event
How? Allows water to pond while
sediment settle out
Design: low runoffs @ Q <
0.5m3/s, < 1m(H), filled w/drain-
rock @19mm or pea gravel @
6mm, install curve surround
curb inlet, leave small 1 bag gap
for temp spillway

BMP for Sediment Control:
Other Drop Inlet Sediment Barriers
BMP for Sediment Control:
Sediment Barriers: Continuous Berm
BMP for Sediment Control:
Sediment Barriers: Woven Stick Check Dam
What? Small check dams made of
sticks & branches tied w/filter
fabric
Where? Installed across roadside
drainage
How? Reduce flow velocity, gully
forming, traps silt & provide temp.
storage capacity
Design: Branches 10-25mm
entrenched to drain bed of 0.3m x
0.3m, installed across flow, filter
fabric to be non-woven needle
punch type, maintenance: clean-
out after rain event/as needed

BMP for Sediment Control:
Sediment Barriers: Natural Fibre Logs
BMP SEDIMENT CONTROL: Geotextile Silt Curtain
contains sediment within construction boundaries, water stays
clean @ < 50mg/l (EIA requirement)
Successful containment of pollutant
Silt Curtain

Silt Curtain
SEDIMENT CONTROL : CONSTRUCTION SITE BMP
PUB PILOT PROJECT @ DRAINAGE CHANNEL, SINGAPORE
THANK YOU
Designing for Effective Sediment & Erosion Control
on Construction Sites, by Dr. J. Fifield
Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control
Workbooks, CPESC USA by J. Scherer, C.Forrest, D.
Lake, M.Harding, Dr D Walker, D.Ward
Manual Saliran Mesra Alam (DID Manual) Malaysia
Salix Applied Earthware Erosion & Sediment Control
Manual, Ca, USA, by J. McCullah
PUB Singapore
Manufacturers:
Polyfelt, Maccaferri, Risi Stone Systems, CHT-Natural
Solutions, North American Green, Synthetic Industries,
HKPC-KBI(Sin), Alcoa-Presto Products



References & Acknowledgement: