Slope Stabilization Techniques: How to Control Erosion On Your Hillside Project

​Building projects on hillsides and slopes require special considerations for effective erosion control. Slope stabilization methods can help protect property from erosion damage and ensure a safe and healthy construction site and surrounding community.

Considerations When Choosing A Slope Stabilization Technique
No single slope stabilization method will be the perfect solution for every situation. It is essential to look at the geography, climate, and soil composition of the slope before selecting a technique. Also, keep in mind, some slope stabilization methods work even better when combined with other erosion control methods. 

What Are the Categories of Slope Stabilization?
Every construction project is different, but when planning erosion control on a hillside or steep embankments, slope stabilization falls into the following categories of techniques:

1. Decrease erosion forces
2. Retaining systems
3. Surface stabilization
4. Soil Improvement
5. Increase erosion resistance

Choose the Right Slope Stabilization Technique for Your Hillside Project
You can choose several erosion control techniques for effective slope stabilization on your construction project.  Each of these erosion control processes can help prevent soil from being displaced and control erosion.

Terraces
Terraces prevent erosion by shortening a long slope into a series of shorter slope levels, allowing water to move slower. These are perfect on hillsides. Consult an engineer for proper design as improperly designed terraces can increase erosion.

Retaining Walls
Retaining walls decreased the size and incline of a slope to prevent erosion. Retaining walls are constructed from stone, masonry, and timber. Maintenance of retaining walls is minimal.

Erosion Control Blanket
Erosion control blankets protect the slope from erosion and the soil from sediment runoff and degradation. Erosion control blankets are constructed with biodegradable materials to allow root-rich plants like trees and ground cover to take hold and rejuvenate the soil. 

Riprap
Riprap is a common method of erosion control in areas of concentrated runoff such as lakeshores.  Synthetic geotextile is placed under riprap to prevent soil displacement on a construction project.

Surface Soil Stabilizers
Soil stabilization is a method of improving the soil's strength properties by combining and mixing other materials. Surface soil stabilizers include water and chemical soil stabilization, which involves adding chemicals to the soil. 

Soil and Slope Stabilization With Envirotac
Environmental Products & Applications, Inc. can help save you time, money and provide peace-of-mind on your construction site. Contact us to find out how Envirotac can help reduce the costly problems caused by ineffective erosion control.