Erosamat is installed to the slope surface to enable a natural grass face to establish. Erosamat is available in biodegradable or permanent formats, with Erosamat Type 3 providing a permanent three-dimensional mat of entangled HDPE fibres. This is specified for high flow velocity applications such as flood embankments in order to prevent surface slips and wash out.
Biodegradable Erosamat Types 1 or 2 are available for lower surface water volume applications as required.
The Abslope EM system is an economical option that provides a structurally flexible earth retaining slopes to be constructed for road & rail embankments, bridge approach ramps, acoustic bunds, amenity slopes, flood alleviation & reservoir embankments, land reclamation projects and housing developments & National Trust properties.
System components
Geogrids & Drainage Geocomposites
Geogrids stabilise the reinforced earth fill and provide excellent tensile strength properties. The stiffness of the geogrid enables the backfill loads to be transferred effectively. Dependant on the type of soil fill used and the load it needs to support, different strengths of Geogrids are available. Drainage geocomposites are sometimes specified to intercept seepage water from the backfill and cut-off pore water pressure from the reinforced fill.
Geogrids & Drainage Geocomposites
Vegetation liner
Erosamat biodegradable or permanent vegetation liners are placed onto the slope face once a layer of topsoil has been trimmed to the correct depth. UV stabilised liner options are available to prevent degradation of the material before planting cover has been established.
Erosamat – Biodegradable & Permanent PP Matting Options
Site-won fill & topsoil material
Generally the Abslope EM system permits the use of relatively low quality fill for slope construction projects. This provides project cost savings, reduces the environmental impact on the surrounding area and the need to transport marginal soils away from the site. Locally available soil can be used for the fill material, provided it can be compacted adequately to an approved specification (e.g. MCHW). Additionally, good quality topsoil with adequate water retention capacity should be added along the slope face (minimum 100 mm thick).
Abslope – Applications & Design Service
Abslope for Highways & Rail applications
The cost effectiveness and adaptability of the Abslope EM system provides highway and rail engineers with a versatile and lower carbon footprint option compared to traditional stone facing methods.
The geogrids are simply placed horizontally in layers on top of the compacted fill and terminated at the slope face. Compaction plant can then operate safely close to the crest edge of the slope.
Water sector applications
Abslope EM with reinforced grass surface is suitable for flood alleviation & reservoir embankments and can provide resistance against wash out of grass for overspill applications.
Failures of slopes are a common problem, especially in areas of high water flow velocities and excess pore water pressure. Such failures can be repaired by excavating and re-using the failed soil and reinforcing this with layers of Geogrids.
Building Developments
Where large building and enabling works projects (including supermarkets, logistics parks and housing developments) encompass site elevation changes, the Abslope system offers a natural aesthetic. For applications where embankments are exposed to potentially higher flow rates, Erosamat Type 3 provides a three dimensional matrix of HDPE fibres to support successful vegetation growth.
