SEDIMENT TRAPPING EFFICIENCY OF STRAW AND HAY BALE BARRIERS AND GABIONS

Laboratory and field investigations were undertaken to determine the sediment-trapping efficiency of straw and hay bale filter barriers and gabions. A flume wasdesigned and built for the laboratory portion of the study and 21 bales were tested. Trapping efficiencies varied from 46 to 88 percent; the overall average was 68 percent. No significant differences were noted in the efficiencies of straw and hay, and the bulk density and porosity of the bales correlated poorly with the trapping efficiencies. Field observations of contractor-placed bale barriers showed a high percentage of failures. Most failures were due to undercutting, end flow, and washouts. Experimental field barriers with numbers and positions based on the universal sol loss equation were installed in place of the unmodified barriers. To minimize barrier failures, loose straw was wedged under and between the bales making up the barrier, the barrier length was extended so that the bottoms of the end bales were higher than the top of the lowest middle bale, and loose straw was scattered behind each barrier. Trapping efficiencies approximating laboratory efficiencies were obtained with the experimental barriers. Gabions filled with crushed stone yielded significantly lower trapping efficiencies than straw and hay bales yielded. However, a layer of straw in the bottom of the gabion increased the efficiency to levels comparable to those of straw bales.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/594/594-003.pdf
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=SEDIMENT+TRAPPING+EFFICIENCY+OF+STRAW+AND+HAY+BALE+BARRIERS+AND+GABIONS&author=D.+Poch%c3%a9&author=W.+Sherwood&publication_year=1976
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Quality. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Poché, David J
  • Sherwood, W Cullen
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 10-14
• Monograph Title: Photogrammetry, water quality, safety appurtenances, and shoulder design
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 594
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Crops; Economic efficiency; Failure; Field tests; Flumes; Gabions; Laboratory tests; Sedimentation; Soils; Straw
• Uncontrolled Terms: Barriers; Efficiency; Hay
• Subject Areas: Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148941
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 030902563X
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 13 1977 12:00AM