SILT CURTAINS TO CONTROL SEDIMENT MOVEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

Environmental concerns regarding the introduction of sediments to rivers and lakes have risen in recent years. These concerns require that the state-of-the-art be defined with respect to floating silt curtains surrounding underwater construction. A simple mathematical model is presented which allows the total force acting on a silt curtain to be calculated. This model can be used to estimate anchoring loads thus indicating the feasibility of using a curtain in a particular location. In general, when currents exceed approximately 0.3 metres/second (1 foot/second), the anchoring loads become excessive and the curtain becomes prone to catastrophic failure. A model study has provided additional information detailing when a curtain will lift off the bottom allowing silt laden water to escape. Based on field experience and the model tests, it is not realistic that free floating silt curtains can be used when the velocity in the constriction is in excess of 0.15 metres/second (0.5 feet/second). To ensure the effective use of silt curtains, it is imperative that proper field studies be carried out at the proposed location. This will ascertain the feasibility of a curtain and allow its proper design. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Ontario Ministry of Transportation

  1201 Wilson Avenue
  Downsview, Ontario  Canada  M3M 1J8
• Authors:
  • Kouwen, N
• Publication Date: 1990-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction sites; Mathematical models; Sedimentation; Silts
• Old TRIS Terms: Curtains
• ITRD Terms: 3655: Construction; 9149: Prevention; 4190: Sediment; 4149: Silt; 3626: Underwater
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00619672
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 31 1992 12:00AM