INVESTIGATING THE APPLICABILITY OF BIOTECHNICAL STREAMBANK STABILIZATION IN TEXAS

The Texas Department of Transportation has commonly utilized concrete and other non-biodegradable measures to stabilize stream channels throughout Texas. This research project investigated an alternative stabilization method specifically geared toward the warm regions of Texas, which utilizes live plant materials combined with inert materials such as geosynthetics and rocks to provide protection of streambanks or slopes. In this project, researchers designed five demonstration projects and conducted plant dormancy extension experiments on black willow (Salix nigra). Two of five designed projects were let, and only one project was built. Researchers found that in biotechnical engineering, live plant cuttings are harvested and planted in the dormant period. Texas's short dormant periods make biotechnical construction scheduling very difficult. Following the definition of short dormant period in Texas, researchers conducted the dormancy extension research, which investigated the possibility of extending the dormancy window of live cuttings for construction of biotechnical techniques. The result of the dormancy extension research indicates that black willow cuttings may be able to be artificially cooled in a refrigerator to extend the dormant period for up to approximately 90 days.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research Project Title: Regional Applications for Biotechnical Methods of Streambank Stabilization in Texas.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Landphair, H C
  • Li, M-H
• Publication Date: 2002-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 174 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bank protection; Banks (Waterways); Demonstration projects; Erosion control; Geosynthetics; Plants; Rocks; Slope stability; Soil stabilization; Streams; Technology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Plant dormancy extension
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00964960
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-03/1836-1,, Research Report 1836-1,, TTI: 0-1836
• Contract Numbers: Project No. 0-1836
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 28 2003 12:00AM