4.6 .

Bio engineering Techniques

According to the site condition suitable bio-engineering technique is necessary to employ. The selection of technique depends on the following characteristics of slope: Slope Angle Slope Length Aspect Soil Type The different Bio engineering techniques with their function effectiveness are as follows: 4.6.1 Planted Horizontal Grass Lines The grass slips, rooted stem cuttings or culms grown from seeds are planted across the slope Functions (i) catch small soil grains. (ii) Reduce surface runoff (iii) armour and reinforce the the slope. Slope Angle < 30 30-45 >45 Row to row spacing 1m 0.5m 0.3m

Application

4.6.2 Planted Down slope grass lines Grass slips (rooted cuttings) , rooted stem, cuttings or seedlings are planted in lines running down the slope Function (i) Drain (ii) Armour, reinforce Suitability Spacing Slope less than 65 and damp sites. It is also most widely used on poorly drained materials where an increase in infiltration can lead to liquefaction to soil. Row to row spacing = 0.5m Within row = 10cm

4.6.3 Diagonally Planted Grass Lines Grass slips(rooted cuttings), rooted stem cuttings or seedlings are planted in lines running diagonally across the slope. Function (i) armour and reinforce (ii) Catch and drain Suitability For site having slope less than 85 Having damp sites Sites having poor drained materials that have chances of liquefaction. Spacing row spacing Within row = 0.5 m = 10cm

4.6.4 Random Grass Plantation

Grass slips (rooted cuttings), rooted stem cuttings or seedlings are planted at random order on slope to an approx. specified density. Function Application Armour and reinforce Catch Slope < 60 Sites where jute netting has already been appliedwhich implies to slope greater than 45 and less than 15m in length and moisture is not serious problem Plant should be spaced at an average of 10 cm

Spacing

4.6.5 Chevron and Herringbone type of grass plantation Incase if a gully system has already formed a Chevron (<<<<< ) or Herringbone (<-<-<-<-<) for mation is required. 4.6.6 Grass Seedlings Grass is shown directly to the site . It allows easy vegetation coverage of large are. This technique is often used in conjunction with mulching and jute netting to aid establishment. Function Suitaility Armour Reinforce Any bare slope upto 45 drained materials where increased infiltration It is mostly used in well drained materials where increased infiltration does not give rise to problems.

Preparation application procedure, mulching and precautions is necessary upto the few years of growth. Limitations (i) Plants take longer to develop from seeds than from slips. (ii) Incase of heavy rain the seeds may be washed off from the slope or get damaged. 4.6.7 Brush Layering Woody cutting (or hardwood cuttings) are laid in lines across the slope usually following the contours It forms a strong barrier preventing the development of rills. Function (i) Catch (ii) armour and reinforce (iii) angled brush layering can be used as drain. (i) Slopes upto 45 (ii) Particularly effective in debris site fill slope and high embankments. slope < 30 = 2m interval Slope 30-45 = 1m interval (Within the brush layers cuttings should be at 5 cm centers)

Suitability Spacing

Limitations

Construction of brush layering gives rise to a considerable level of disturbance to the site

4.6.8 Palisades Woody (hard wood ) cuttings are planted in lines across the slope usually following the contours Function (i) Catch (ii) Armour, Reinforce (iii) In certain locations palisades can be angled to function as drain. Suitability (i) Sides of slope unto 60 slope angle. (ii) Effective on steep landslide debris slope, (iii) Materials that are poorly drained are subjected to high rates of smallscale slumping should be avoided (iv) In loose material slope. Spacing Slope < 30 = 2m interval Slope 30-60 = 1m interval Within palisade lines cuttings should be at centers between 30-50 mm

Preparation .(i) Trim and clean the site and remove irregularities and loose debris (ii) Marks the lines to be planted (iii) Start from top of the slope towards downward (iv) Using a pointed bar make a hole on the slope (v) Placed in the hole so that 2/3 is buried. Limitations They are not as strong as the brush layering

4.6.9 Live Checkdams Large woody (hard wood) cuttings are placed across the gully usually following the contour. These form a strong barrier and trap materials moving downwards. In the longer term small step will develop in the floor of the gully. Function Suitability Spacing Procedure (i) catch debris (ii) armour and reinforce the gully floor (i) Gully sites of slope upto 45 (ii) However materials subjedt to high rates of small scale slumping should be avoided At interval of 3-5 m depending on slope Within checkdam cutting should be about 30-50 mm apart (i) select the location for the live checkdam so that maximum effect can be achieved for gully stabilization (ii) make a hole deep and big enough to insert the hard work cutting vertically also push into the hole and firm the soil around them (iii)place facines or long hard work cutting on the uphill sides of the vertical stakes (iv) Key these horizontal member in the wall side of gully (v)Backfill around the check dam and compact the soil

Limitation

large and very active gullies require strong measures then can be provided by vegetation alone

4.6.10 Fascines Bundle of live branches are laid in shallow trenches Function Suitability (i) catch debris (ii) reinforce, armour the slope (i)slope up to 45 (ii) Best use on consolidated debris or soft cut slopes (iii) On well drained material contour fascine are used and in poor drained material or herringbone pattern of fascine is used to improved drainage slope < 30 slope 30-40 4 m interval 2m interval

Spacing

4.6.11 Vegetated Stone Pitching Slopes are strengthened by a combination of dry stone walling or cobbling and vegetations planted in gaps between the stones Function (i) Armouring Spacing Plants should be established at 250mm centers initially on a random pattern. Limitations Costly for large area 4.6.12 Jute Netting A locally made geotextile of woven jute netting is placed on the slope. Function Protection of the surface, armouring against erosion and catching small debris Allowing seeds to hold and germinate Improvement of microclimate in the slope surface by holding moisture and increasing infiltration As it decays it act as a mulch for the vegetation established Suitability In steep hard slopes where vegetation alone cannot sustain. Slope angle is normally 4560 and the material should be well drained. 4.6.13 Live wattle fence Fences made out of live cuttings are placed across the slope Function Catch Suitability (i) Slopes maximum upto 30 Spacing In every 4-5 m down the slope. Limitations Relatively poor technique to catch materials on gentle slope.Not effective as brush layering fascines etc.

4.6.14 Hydroseeding It is a process of spraying a mixture of seed ans mulch by using high pressure pumps. Function Suitability Limitations armour and reinforce the slope Can be used in any type of sites bur\t pumps has the limitation of spraying to a maximum of 100m. Should not be used in poorly drained slopes. It has relatively high cost It lack detailed treatment as done manually

4.6.15 Vegetated Gabions strengthening the gabion wall by growing trees on them is known as vegetated gabion Function Suitability Limitatons They provide slope support. Any sites where gabion are required for slope protection. The trees are unlikely to take the support unless the wires of gabion are corroded away

4.6.16 Mulching Function As a temporary measure to aid the growth of vegetation .In dry slopes it provides soil moisture that aid in growth . Procedure Chopped plant materials are laid are placed either to individual plants or to the entire slope Suitability Any sit suitable to grass seedling with slope up to 45. Mostly on well drained materials. Also anywhere where bamboos, shrubs or tree seedling has been planted. Limitations It is only temporary in nature.

4.7 Civil Engineering Techinques

1 Retaining Wall The wall that retains lateral earth pressure is known as retaining wall. For eg : toe wall Function Suitability Support Slope with deep seated problem (> 500mm)

2. Revetment Wall. They are provided at the base of the slope to protect the base of slope from undermining or other damage For eg Breast wall. Function Suitability Only protect but do not support Erodable bases of large slopes, foots of large fill sites

3. Prop walls /Dentition

Function Suitability

.Support blocks of harder rocks underlined by softer rocks such that the softer rocks get eroded by differential weathering Steep cut slopes where large trimming can be avoided by placing prop wall Useful in alternate bands of hard and soft rocks.

4.Check Dams Function Prevent the down cutting of runoff water in gullies. Ease the gradient of gully bed. Can withstand the active earth pressureif applied in future. Any loose or active gully Any rill that threaten to enlarge.

Suitability

5.Surface and Sub-Surface Drains Function 6. Stone Pitching Function Suitability Armouring of slope Can with stand considerable velocity of water and helps in drainage. Any site upto 35. Sites having seepage problem. In flood areas where it is difficult to grow vegetation. In gully floor between checkdams and for scour protection by rivers. Remove surface and subsurface water quickly and efficiently

7. Wire Bolster Cylinders They are gabion tubes of 300mm diameter filled with stone and are laid in shallow trenches across the slope. Thy can be laid in two ways :(i) Along the contour(ii) In herring bone pattern

Function Suitability

Prevent surface scour and gulling Provide shallow support Exposed slopes between 35-50 where there is danger of scour and gulling Contour bolster are used in well drained and herring bone is use in poorly drained materials.