An erosion, sediment and pollution control product comprises a rice hull filler material which has been heat treated sterilizing the rice hull filler material and increasing the pollutant affinity of the rice hull filler material; and a containment member containing the rice hull filler material and allowing fluid to flow through the containment member and the rice hull filler material. The containment member is a geotextile which may include cellulose based threads treated to be hydrophobic.

An erosion, sediment and pollution control product comprises a geotextile which includes at least 10% non-plastic non-biomass based inert threads, in particular basalt or glass threads, and cellulose based filler within the tubular geotextile. The geotextile may be knitted. A method of making a tubular knitted geotextile comprises the steps of: supplying non-plastic, non-biomass based inert threads, such as basalt or glass threads, to a circular knitting machine and knitting a tubular substrate which includes at least 10% non-plastic non-biomass based inert threads.

A multi-function retaining structure for excavation and drainage operations during construction process and a method for excavation and implementation of a multi-function retaining structure at a target location. The multi-function retaining structure includes a first I-beam, a second I-beam, a third I-beam, a first inclined stiffener plate, and a second inclined stiffener plate. The method includes positioning the multi-function retaining structure above the target location, driving the multi-function retaining structure into the target location by pushing the bottom edge of the third web into the target location, softening soils in the target location by jetting water to the soils utilizing a first water jet tube and a second water jet tube, extracting the first water jet tube and the second water jet tube from the rectangular chamber, and draining water from the rectangular chamber by utilizing a water drainage pump and through a drainage tube.

Disclosed are various embodiments of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that employ, for reinforcement, a geosynthetic strip that attaches to the MSE retaining wall and extends into the backfill soil. In one embodiment, the MSE retaining wall has at least one concrete panel. The panel has a cavity extending from the backside into the body for receiving a flexible, generally flat, geosynthetic strip. The panel has a plastic pipe (or first cylindrical body) that is situated within the body of the panel in a position so that the plastic pipe is generally horizontal from a front elevation view vantage point of the panel and is generally parallel with the backside of the panel from a top view vantage point of the panel. The plastic pipe extends through the cavity and its ends reside within the concrete panel. The MSE retaining wall further includes a steel rod situated inside of the plastic pipe. The geosynthetic strip extends from backfill soil adjacent to the backside of the panel, into the cavity of the panel, around the elongated body of the plastic pipe, out of the cavity, and into the backfill soil. In another embodiment of the MSE retaining wall, an end of the geosynthetic strip is bound to the panel with a double compression loop arrangement that utilizes an additional solid second plastic rod (or second cylindrical body).

Provided is an erosion control kit (ECK) comprising: (I) an erosion control block comprising: (a) a degradable box-shaped frame of latticed ligament with a top, bottom and four sides; (b) a degradable fabric framed just inside the top, bottom and four sides of the frame and defining an interior space; and (c) soil substantially filling the interior space; and (II) one or more anchors configured to bind a bottom portion of the frame to a substratum. Related erosion control features and methods are further provided.

The present disclosure provides a geosynthetic. In one embodiment, the geosynthetic contains a composition containing (A) a polypropylene and (B) from greater than 0 wt % to less than 3 wt % of a halogen-free flame retardant, based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the geosynthetic contains a composition containing (A) a polypropylene and (B) greater than 20 wt % zinc sulfide, based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the geosynthetic contains a composition containing (A) a polypropylene; (B) a halogen-free flame retardant; and (C) greater than 20 wt % zinc sulfide, based on the total weight of the composition. The composition has a specific gravity greater than 1.00 g/cc.

A method of maintaining soil strength and stability involves positioning a sheet of soil stabilization and strengthening material on a selected area where the strengthening and stabilization of the soil is desired. The sheet of soil stabilization and strengthening material includes a fabric layer that forms a base of the soil stabilization and strengthening material. The lower surface of the fabric layer is positioned against and engages the selected area. A moisture impervious layer is coupled to the upper surface of the fabric layer. A particulate aggregate material is embedded in the moisture impervious layer.

An erosion, sediment and pollution control product comprises a rice hull filler material which has been heat treated sterilizing the rice hull filler material and increasing the pollutant affinity of the rice hull filler material; and a containment member containing the rice hull filler material and allowing fluid to flow through the containment member and the rice hull filler material. The containment member is a geotextile which may include cellulose based threads treated to be hydrophobic.

The invention relates to a low-permeability geotechnical barrier material including a blend of approximately equal parts of: aggregate particles, sand-size particles and manufactured composite particles that include a hydratable sealant material composed of naturally-occurring clay minerals and/or polymer-enhanced clay minerals, such that the actual percentage of clay mineral component is less than 10% by weight in the blended material. In a particular embodiment, the construction of a low-permeability geotechnical barrier using predominantly coarse grain materials by conventional compaction efforts is rarely attempted due to the difficulty of maintaining a uniform mix of well-graded sand and aggregate blends necessary to achieve low permeability. The regularly achievable permeability offered by this material blend when installed with specific proscribed techniques using conventional equipment can be 5×10.sup.−8 cm/sec or lower.

The present invention is directed to a horizontally extendable silt fence. The present invention is also directed to a silt fence system comprising a horizontally extendable silt fence comprising a water permeable geotextile material having an upper edge and a lower edge, and a plurality of posts comprising an upper portion strutted and arranged to be coupled with the upper edge of the water permeable geotextile material, a lower portion structured and arranged to be coupled with the lower edge of the water permeable geotextile material, and an anchor portion structured and arranged to be driven into the ground to anchor the post. Also disclosed is a method of filtering silt from a fluid stream.