Soil Bioengineering

	Lindome, Sweden

	Soil Bioengineering BIODEGRADABLE GEOTEXTILES Click for reference projects - in Swedish Consequences for the environment at any needed civil engineering project in our nature focus on measurements to avoid negative impact on flora, fauna and habitat in general. Soil bioengineering offers solutions where a holistic view point on the environment is paramount. The core competence in Soil Bioengineering is the use of natural components such as vegetation and thereto attached biological processes to achieve a technical and biological holistic approach to a technical or landscaping dilemma. Soil Bioengineering projects are cost efficient, environmentally friendly, aesthetically attractive and grow stronger over time. Traditional civil engineering measurements may easily gain attraction with soil bioengineering complements. Soil bioengineering offers techno-economical projects for habitat concern slope stabilisation and erosion control water course, river bank and shoreline management wetland and run off water treatment The effect will be a cost efficient technical project in balance with nature.
	EROSION - AN OLD PROBLEM The idea to use natural fibre for erosion control is not new, but only until recently there has been no large scale options. Now, the Gothenburg based company THULICA AB launches GEOTEX-ECO² geotextiles made from jute, and coir into the Scandinavian market. It's rather obvious. As long as we have intervened in the nature we have caused erosion. Using products from the nature to heal the wounds is both efficient and thus economical. At second thought it is remarkable that this product has not been available before. In Europe man has during many years used living and natural products, e.g. straw for soil preparation, however not to any mentionable or industrial extent. Approximately 30 years ago in USA it was discovered that the weave used for baling cotton could be used for preventing erosion. The weave made from thick jute yarn showed good water retention properties when applicated on sensitive areas and prevented thus erosion and assisted vegetation to root. Genius often emanates from the simple - so also here - simply mats made from natural fibres. Today industrially produced and fit for its purpose the geotextiles are put on erosion sensitive areas as road banks, park terraces or ski slopes after for instance sowing of grass.
	Cuts and slopes are often left without possible restoration. With geotextiles made from natural fibres in the picture already at planning stage the economy can improve as slopes can be made more steepy, but primarily the appearance will be improved - and this with products from the nature itself.	As we like to visit our beautiful sea shores man causes also damages to the natural vegetation. By assistance of GEOTEX fibermats one can again see the grass recovering its shore.
	GEOTEX ECO² - THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY WAY TO PREVENT EROSION A UN-study carried out by the German environmental institute EPEA clearly shows that natural fibre is the environmental friendly alternative to synthetic fibre. Mainly because the natural fibre comes from renewable resources and is a part of the ecological cycle. Amongst the "green movement" - people today they talk a lot of long lasting development and very much are pointing at a renaissance for natural fibres. Today natural geotextiles are made from jute from India and Bangladesh and coir from India and Sri Lanka. Coir, a harder fibre, biodegrades into the soil more slowly thus today having more known applications compared to jute. In the future also sisal from Brazil and East African countries might be an interesting alternative. Mainly the manufacturing takes place in country of origin of the fibre, but approximately one third of global production takes place in industrialised, mainly European, countries for reasons of being close to the market and consequent shorter delivery period and for necessary research and development works. Costs for using geotextiles made from natural fibres are calculated to be lower than for alternative technics used today already at construction stage as for instance the slope-angle can be made more steep. On top also the maintenance will be less extensive. Apart from supplying the geotextile THULICA AB will also be your technical advisor and on demand also act as contractor for the application.
		The diagram illustrates a study showing different geotextiles' water retention. It is determined that natural fibre geotextiles will retain 1,5 kg/m2 whilst synthetic mats only absorb 0,3 kg/m2. By difference in retention it is clearly determined also the difference in erosion controlling properties between natural and synthetic products. (Source Dr. Prof. T S Ingold, England).
	Soon after application of the geotextiles the vegetation sprouts. Assisted by the water retained in the geotextiles the root system can calmly develop. After this stage, the nature is given the assistance it needs to create a permanent and lasting vegetation- the geotextile has fulfilled its purpose and by moulding it becomes a part of the ecological cycle without harmful wastes.	GEOTEX mats are available in different lengths, widths and weight per square meter. Commonly delivered as rolls, thus easily applicated. You only roll it down the slope.
	FROM ROAD PROJECTS TO PRIVATE GARDENS The geotextiles, available in various sizes with different mesh, are binding the soil and retain water - up to 5 times its weight. When the new vegetation is well rooted and thus capacity to stabilise the soil is obtained the geotextiles have fulfilled its purpose. As they are fully biodegradable they simply return to the soil. Coir from India moulders in Scandinavia - assisting the ECO-system. As permanent reinforcement, as in road banks, natural geotextiles are not appropriate. Apart from that only your imagination is limiting the areas of use. As example they can be used on ramps, slopes and cuts at roadwork's, in parks, jogging tracks, terraces at golf courses and dams. They can also be used as protection for shores as temporary reinforcement of prefabricated lawns and reinforcement of temporary roads. Options to improve landscaping are offered; sure is a green slope more beautiful than a one created by stones. Earlier many landscaping architects have hesitated to use synthetic geotextiles in the soil when creating terraces or slopes. For environmental reasons they don't want to use an oilbased product that does not biodegrade. Now there are no hinders - use natural fibre products.
	Erosion damages caused by wind, and water, but mainly by man is a growing problem. By using natural geotextiles you can quickly, economically and easily heal the wounds.