Hydraulic Tests and Interpretation of Test Data for Reno Mattresses in Open Channel Flow

Abstract

The efficacy of erosion control systems depends on preventing soil loss underneath and maintaining its integrity under the effects of the water flow. The paper presents the research results at the Colorado State University on the performance of double twisted wire mesh products, known as Reno Mattresses, used as soil erosion control systems. Mattresses were subjected to various flow conditions on a 10 m long flume placed on a soil layer. The performance against erosion was evaluated by assessing the effect of the stone motion inside the mattress combined with the condition of incipient soil erosion underneath, in relationship to the mattress thickness, the filling stone properties, and under variable hydraulic flow regimes. At the same time, confirming the stability obtained using the conventional tractive force design approach, the research results allowed to introduce a new performance limit based on incipient soil erosion underneath the revetment. Based on the research results, the authors propose to express the shear resistance of mattresses used as soil erosion control systems as a function of the filling stones’ size, uniformity, unit weight, mattress thickness, and the presence of vertical strengthening elements.