Geosynthetics in roads and pavements

OVERVIEW 

 

Man-made changes to the environment 

including unrestricted development, overtaxed 

resources, removal of surface cover, paving, or 

simply poor stewardship expose more soil to 

greater erosive forces and thereby substantially 

accelerate the rate of erosion.

 

 

Negative Effects of Erosion 

 

• 

Turbidity caused by eroded soil particles 

reduces beneficial uses of water by people 

and can harm aquatic wildlife.  

• 

Eroded sediments carrying chemical 

molecules have become a major water 

pollutant. 

• 

As sediments accumulate, they fill up 

drainage channels and reduce the area 

available for storm water runoff. 

• 

Flooding occurs when the outlets for storm 

water are clogged with sediment. 

 

Erosion vs. Sedimentation 

 

Erosion occurs when soil particles are displaced 

due to the impact of raindrops, moving water, or 

wind.  Sedimentation occurs when eroded 

particles (sediments), carried by water or wind, 

are deposited in another location where they can 

cause problems.  Clearly, sediments (suspended 

eroded particles) and sedimentation (redeposited 

soil particles) cause the problems commonly 

associated with erosion.   

 

Erosion control can prevent problems from ever 

starting.  Sediment control can only attempt to 

minimize the extent of the problems. 

 

Erosion Basics 

 

• 

Raindrops dislodge soil particles and seal 

the surface. Water cannot infiltrate the 

sealed surface so overland flow increases.   

• 

Vegetation or any other cover can reduce the 

momentum or energy of raindrops and 

prevent sealing of the surface.  

• 

Most construction site erosion results from 

rainfall impact and overland, or sheet, flows. 

 

 

Erosion 

 

 

 

Sedimentation on Roads and in Channels 

 

 

Flooding Caused by Sedimentation

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                                                                            Handbook of Geosynthetics                                                                            32 

 

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com.