Erosion prevention practices - turf reinforcement mats
Erosion prevention practices - turf reinforcement mats

Examples of turf reinforcement mats. Source: California Department of Transportation.

Turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) are synthetic, non-degradable soil and seedbed covers of variable thickness designed to provide short-term protection against raindrop and wind erosion, permanent support for vegetation on slopes, and permanent armoring and vegetation support for ditches, swales, and channels. They are composed of UV stabilized, synthetic fibers, filaments, nettings and/or wire mesh that are processed into three dimensional reinforcement matrices, a design that serves permanent and critical applications where site conditions exceed the limits of mature natural vegetation. TRMs provide sufficient thickness, strength and void space to permit soil filling and/or retention and the development of vegetation within the matrix. TRM manufacturers are also providing flexible growth media integrated into the mat.

Purpose and function

TRMs, like erosion control blankets, are part of the larger group of rolled erosion control products. TRMs are used to provide temporary cover for bare soil, long-term support for vegetation, and permanent armoring against shear stress caused by flowing water. TRMs share many attributes with erosion control blankets, but are non-degradable, erosion protection aids. After installation, vegetation and soil provide shielding from the sun and the elements, preserving the synthetic components and maintaining the structural integrity of TRMs.

Applicability

TRMs can be used to prevent erosion and support vegetation on a wide variety of site slope and drainage features. They are typically used in conjunction with grass and other seed on steep slopes, in higher velocity ditches and channels, along shorelines, and for scour prevention and armoring at culvert outlets. Some of the thinner TRMs are designed to be placed directly over seeded bare soil areas, while some thicker open-celled/open weave products may be staked down first, then seeded, and then covered with a thin layer of topsoil. Because of the many different types of products, manufacturer’s specifications regarding use, installation, anchoring device selection, and maintenance must be followed precisely.

Site applicability

TRMs are used to support permanent vegetation on longer, steeper slopes (e.g., more than 100 feet and 3H:1V) and in steeper, higher velocity ditches and channels (e.g., more than 10H:1V; velocities of up to 15 feet per second, and shear stress of up to 10 pounds per square foot). They are typically used when slope and channel conditions exceed the capabilities (e.g., manufacturer’s requirements) of erosion control blankets, but are not severe enough to justify terracing or retaining walls in slope applications, or harder armoring (e.g., articulated block, riprap, pavement, etc.) within channels.

Permit applicability

As noted above, TRMs provide permanent support for vegetation on slopes, and permanent armoring for vegetated ditches, swales, and channels. They also provide protection against raindrop and wind erosion during the weeks between seeding and plant emergence. As such, TRMs are an integral part of the site’s permanent cover, which is defined in Section 25.22 of the MPCA Construction General Permit as “surface types that will prevent soil failure under erosive conditions.” The permit defines a uniform perennial vegetative cover as “evenly distributed, without large bare areas” and “with a density of 70 percent of the native background vegetative cover for the area,” which “must be established on all unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures” in order to terminate permit coverage.

Besides supporting vegetation on bare areas and in ditches, TRMs are often used to construct permanent stormwater management systems, which are addressed in Section 15 of the MPCA permit. Components of permanent stormwater management systems that may be supported by TRMs include infiltration areas, vegetated ditches/channels, sedimentation basins, regional ponds, and vegetated buffers adjacent to surface waters. TRMs are extremely useful in ditch and channel stabilization that are required for certain areas by Section 8.6 of the permit, which states that the permittee “Permittees must stabilize the normal wetted perimeter of the last 200 linear feet of temporary or permanent drainage ditches or swales that drain water from the site within 24 hours after connecting to a surface water or property edge. Permittees must complete stabilization of remaining portions of temporary or permanent ditches or swales within 14 calendar days after connecting to a surface water or property edge and construction in that portion of the ditch temporarily or permanently ceases.”

For general site stabilization, Section 8.4 of the MPCA Construction General Permit states "Permittees must stabilize all exposed soil areas, including stockpiles. Stabilization must be initiated immediately to limit soil erosion when construction activity has permanently or temporarily ceased on any portion of the site and will not resume for a period exceeding 14 calendar days. Stabilization must be completed no later than 14 calendar days after the construction activity has ceased. Stabilization is not required on constructed base components of roads, parking lots and similar surfaces. Stabilization is not required on temporary stockpiles without significant silt, clay or organic components (e.g., clean aggregate stockpiles, demolition concrete stockpiles, sand stockpiles) but must provide sediment controls at the base of the stockpile."

Effectiveness

When selected, sited, installed, and maintained properly, TRMs are effective in providing short-term protection against raindrop and wind erosion, permanent support for vegetation on slopes, and permanent armoring for vegetated ditches, swales, and channels. They generally reduce sheet, rill, and channel erosion by 90 percent or more. Effectiveness is dependent upon TRM type, surface preparation, installation practices (i.e., soil contact, staking pattern, seeding, etc.), and site conditions (e.g., slopes, soils, rainfall, etc.). Mowing vegetation over TRMs too low after installation (i.e., to the point where the TRM is exposed to sunlight) can reduce TRM effectiveness significantly over the long term and should be avoided. The following table summarizes expected performance for an array of typical water quantity and quality target constituents for TRMs.

Expected performance for turf reinforcement mats
Link to this table

Water Quantity
Flow attenuation	Little or no design benefit
Runoff volume reduction	Little or no design benefit

Water Quality
Pollution prevention
Soil erosion	Primary design benefit
Sediment control	Little or no design benefit
Nutrient loading	Primary design benefit
Pollutant removal
Total suspended solids	Primary design benefit
Total phosphorus	Primary design benefit
Heavy metals	Secondary design benefit
Floatables	Little or no design benefit
Oil and grease	Little or no design benefit

Planning considerations

TRMs are designed and fabricated to address specific site conditions, such as slope range and length, water velocity, and shear stress, UV exposure, seed type, and post-installation soil fill (see table below for example specifications). As such, it is critical to observe the manufacturer’s requirements when selecting, siting, installing, and maintaining a TRM to achieve optimal performance. For example, TRM installation procedures may include applying the mat over bare seeded ground, or installing the TRM over the bare ground first followed by seed application and a topsoil cover over the TRM. Some applications specify for the seed to be mixed with the fill soil prior to spreading. In cases where a TRM is installed prior to seeding and backfilling with soil, some applications may require the installation of an erosion control blanket to protect the seed and soil within the three-dimensional matrix of the mat during the time between seeding and establishment of dense growth.

Regardless of the order required for mat installation, seeding, and topsoil cover, the need for proper preparation of the bare soil area or channel remains constant and includes the following considerations.

Plan final surface preparation, seeding, and mat installation during dry periods.
Assemble mats, anchors, dry topsoil cover, seed, and other needed materials.
Establish final grade for the ditch, channel, swale, or bare ground to be seeded and protected.
Test soil and adjust pH and fertility according to seed needs; avoid fertilizing ditches/channels.
Remove all rocks larger than 2 inches and all sticks, limbs, protruding roots, and other debris.
Ensure all surfaces are smooth and consistent, with a crumbly texture; rake rough spots as needed.
Install seed, TRM, anchors, and top dressing of fill soil as directed by manufacturer’s instructions.
Note requirements for using check slots to anchor top-of-slope and in-channel applications.

The current list of MnDOT approved/qualified products for TRMs can be found MnDOT's website.

Design

Turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) are synthetic, non-degradable mats that are typically buried to add stability to soils. They come in a wide range of designs and are valuable soil stabilizers on slope and channel-lining applications. TRMs are designed to be permanent and often are filled with soil and vegetated when installed. A TRM may have a biodegradable component intermixed with the synthetic portion to aid plant establishment.

Mats should be selected for the expected velocity and shear stress. TRMs with non-degrading, three-dimensional matrices can withstand velocities and shear stress values up to 15 feet per second and 10 pounds per square foot, respectively. However, beyond these thresholds, vegetated structures such as articulated block, cable concrete, and cribwalls should be considered. Required minimum thickness and area holding capacity of the TRM should be defined by the manufacturer.

Once finish grade is established, the area should be seeded, the TRM installed and, if appropriate, immediately filled with topsoil. The finish surface is normally seeded and covered with an erosion control blanket or hydraulically applied mulch to keep the soil from eroding and aid in germination of a permanent stand of vegetation. Manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed for specific applications.

Some TRMs contain supplemental degradable components; all have a permanent three-dimensional structure with high tensile strength that functions as a matrix for securing plant roots, stems, and soils. TRMs and their constituent vegetation form a continuous composite, which becomes a unified, living mat. The resulting synergism increases root system lateral strength, reducing plant dislodgement under high velocity, high shear stress flows. The TRM’s permanent structure also consolidates and protects the soil in which the plants are anchored, preventing it from being stripped out of the vegetative cover and thus weakening root support.

TRMs are often employed as a “green” alternative to stone riprap, pavement, and other forms of hard armoring. They are typically used in a manner that optimizes plant root interaction with the mat structure. Typical installations involve rolling out and anchoring the TRM in intimate contact with the soil surface.

Example of a turf reinforcement mat applied to a soil that has been seeded. Source: Kansas Natural Resources Conservation Service; United States Department of Agriculture.

There are two general methods of TRM installation, depending upon the type of mat used. One method involves directly applying the TRM over a freshly seeded soil surface to allow vegetation to develop upwards through the mat structure. In this scenario, the TRM initially acts to prevent both erosion of the soil’s plant root structure and dislodgement of individual plants from the soil surface. As natural sedimentation processes eventually fill the spaces in the mat, successive stands of vegetation can grow down into and/or through the underlying mat structure for long-term root reinforcement. The second method for installing TRMs is to first unroll the product, then cover with a mix of fine soil and the prescribed seed mix. In this type of installation, the vegetation immediately roots down into and/or through the matting structure for both immediate and permanent reinforcement.

Specific installation instructions after surface preparation include the following.

Seed bare area, if called for by manufacturer’s instructions.
Unroll from upslope to downslope, overlapping ends of the upslope roll at least 7 inches over the downslope roll. Overlap adjacent sides by at least 4 inches.
Ensure mats lie flat with good contact on the soil and no bulges; do not stretch TRMs.
For channels, anchor mats in a 6-inch backfilled slot at the top of the banks.
Shingle and overlap edges parallel to the water flow by at least 4 inches.
Overlap edges perpendicular to the water flow by at least 7 inches.
Use only anchors specified by manufacturer’s instructions.
For high velocity ditches and channels, space anchors at 1.5 feet below the waterline.
Anchor every 3 feet on slopes, and every 2 feet below flow lines in ditches and channels.
Use longer anchors in loose soil; use degradable stakes instead of metal staples near runways.
For slopes steeper than 2H:1V and longer than 100 feet, and for ditches with slopes greater than 10H:1V, use 6 inch check slots every 100 feet on the contour / across the channel.
Spread seed and/or seed and soil mix over installed mat, if applicable.

If soil cover is applied, use a sandy clay loam, topsoil, or other appropriate media as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions. Use only dry soil, which can be spread easily. Using a flat tool or the backside of a rake, lightly spread no more than ½ to ¾ inch of soil onto the mat, completely filling the voids. If equipment must operate on the mat, use rubber-tired types only (i.e., no treaded or tracked equipment). Do not make sharp turns and avoid rapid movements that cause the mat to bunch up. Keep equipment off mats if the soil is wet. Apply the soil cover until only the top of the mat is exposed – do not cover mat completely. Broadcast additional seed and apply a degradable erosion control blanket over the soil-filled blanket if required.

U-shaped wire staples or metal geotextile pins can be used to anchor mats to the ground surface. Wire staples should be 8 gauge or thicker; metal pins should be at least 0.2 inches diameter steel with a 1.2 inch stall washer. Degradable stakes can be used on flatter areas, and where metal or other anchor types might pose problems if accidently dislodged (e.g., near airport runways). Otherwise wire staples, metal pins with washers, or percussion driven anchors are recommended for slopes, bank areas, and channel applications. Use 6-inch anchors for rocky or clayey soils, 12-inch anchors for looser clays and silty soils, and 18- or 24-inch anchors for sandy silts and loose sands. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for anchor spacing and configuration, with at least one anchor per square yard on flatter ground, 2 anchors per square yard on steep slopes, and 3 anchors per square yard in channels and on shorelines. Drive anchors in until they are flush with the top of the mat – do not countersink or bury.

The Erosion Control Technology Council developed standard specifications for erosion control blankets and mulch control nets. Their work is summarized in the following table.

Erosion Control Technology Council standard specifications for permanent turf reinforcement mats
Link to this table

Type¹	Product Description	Material Composition	Minimum Tensile Strength^2,3	Minimum Thickness (ASTM D 6525)	UV Stability (ASTM D 4355 @ 500 Hours)	Channel Applications Permissible Shear Stress^{4, 5}
5.A	Turf Reinforcement Mat	Long term, non-degradable rolled erosion control product composed of UV stabilized, non-degradable, synthetic fibers, filaments, nettings and/or wire mesh processed into three dimensional reinforcement matrices designed for permanent and critical hydraulic applications where design discharges exert velocities and shear stresses that exceed the limits of mature, natural vegetation. Turf reinforcement mats provide sufficient thickness, strength and void space to permit soil filling and/or retention and the development of vegetation within the matrix.	125 lbs/ft (1.82 kN/m)	0.25 inches (6.35 mm)	80%	= 6.0 lbs/ft2 (288 Pa)
5.B	Turf Reinforcement Mat		150 lbs/ft (2.19 kN/m)	0.25 inches (6.35 mm)	80%	= 8.0 lbs/ft2 (384 Pa)
5.C	Turf Reinforcement Mat		175 lbs/ft (2.55 kN/m)	0.25 inches (6.35 mm)	80%	= 10.0 lbs/ft2 (480 Pa)

¹For applications in channels and on slopes not exceeding 0.5:1 (H:V) where vegetation alone will not sustain expected flow conditions and/or provide sufficient long-term erosion protection. For TRMs containing degradable components, all property values must be obtained on the non-degradable portion of the matting alone.
²Minimum Average Roll Values, machine direction only for tensile strength determination using ASTM D6818 (Supersedes Mod. ASTM D5035 for RECPs)
³Field conditions with high loading and/or high survivability requirements may warrant the use of a TRM with a tensile strength of 44 kN/m (3,000 lb/ft) or greater.
⁴Shear stress that fully vegetated TRM can sustain without physical damage or excess erosion > 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) soil loss] during a 30-minute flow event in large scale testing.
⁵Acceptable large-scale testing protocol may include ASTM D6460 or other independent testing deemed acceptable by the engineer.

Standards and specifications

MnDOT Specification 2575.3, Part G.3 (page 507) provides guidance for placement of TRMs. Part K.2 (page 507, 508) covers maintenance of rolled erosion control products. Specification 2575.4.I (page 511) prescribes requirements for measurement of rolled erosion control products. TRMs should meet Specification 3885 (“Rolled Erosion Control Products”). Table 3885-6 (Section 3885.2.B.5, page 682) summarizes TRM criteria.

Inspection and maintenance

Inspect the TRM installation site immediately after seeding (if applicable) to verify seed coverage. The site must be relatively smooth and free of rocks larger than 2 inches, sticks, protruding roots, clumps of vegetation, trash, and other debris. Inspect the TRM after installation, checking staking patterns, anchor slot backfill, soil contact, overlaps, and proper shingling (i.e., upslope TRM edges lap over the downslope mat edge). Pay particular attention to installations on long steep slopes and below the waterline in ditches and channels.

Flag off the area after installation to keep equipment, vehicles, and foot traffic off TRMs. After installation, inspect weekly and within 24 hours after each rainfall of ½ inch or more. Look for “pulls” or sags on steep slopes where the weight of precipitation clinging to the mat has pulled it downhill away from its anchor slot(s) and staples. Check for areas where overlaps are pulled apart, or being flipped up by runoff or animals.

Do not mow TRM areas until vegetation is at least 8 inches tall and dense. Mower blades must be kept 6 inches off the mat to prevent snagging and pulling. Seed areas of sparse vegetation and cover with ½ inch of soil and a fitted piece of TRM. If mat sagging occurs, install longer anchors on a closer pattern as soon as possible. Use scissors or shears to cut out bulges or large sags, and stake the area securely. Replace missing or damaged sections of the mat per the original installation guidelines. Repair small holes or rips with patches of the original mat type if possible. Cut out damaged, bulged, or upturned sections with a knife or shears, and use soil, seed, TRM, and ECB if necessary to restore and dress up the damaged area. Use ties to attach the new mat section to the existing TRM.

Remove deposits of sediment and debris carefully to avoid damage to the mat. When excavation is needed within 12 inches of the mat, remove sediment and/or debris by hand or with a visual spotter. If equipment must operate on the mat, make sure it is of the rubber-tired type. No tracked equipment or sharp turns are allowed on the mat. Where protected animal species are being trapped or hindered by TRMs, consider cutting out small sections to create escape portals and reinforcing the surrounding area with sod.

MnDOT’s workmanship and rework schedule (2016; version under development at the time of manual update) identifies common deficiencies for various types of stabilization BMPs – including TRMs – and corrective actions for these deficiencies. Once complete, the full, final version of this table will replace Table 2575-4 in MnDOT Standard Specifications for Construction (2016 edition).

Excerpt from Table 2575-4, Required Corrective Action
Link to this table

Item	Corrective Action Required if:	Corrective Action
Turf Reinforcement Mat	Wrong TRM installed Missing certificate of compliance Missing anchoring devices Insufficient anchoring devices Missing head anchor embedment Missing edge anchor embedment Improper or insufficient overlap of adjoining mat units Improper soil infill depth (about 1 inch) Improper soil type Improper hydraulic mulch RFM infill Wrong rolled erosion control cover	Remove incorrect and replace with proper TRM Cease operations and secure certificate. Else remove and replace Install additional anchoring devices as per plan or Manufacturer Install additional anchoring devices as per plan or Manufacturer Entrench leading edge and anchor correctly Entrench side edge and anchor correctly Provide proper joints and overlaps Apply additional screen topsoil or screed excess Cease operations and contact OES Apply additional hydraulic mulch Type RFM to manufacturer specification Remove improper RECP and apply correct product

Costs

The following table summarizes estimated BMP costs based on MnDOT data summarizing average bid prices for awarded projects in 2014.

Average turf reinforcement mats bid prices for Spec Year 2014
Link to this table

Bid Item	Item Description	Units	Average Price
2575.525/00020	Turf Reinforcement Mat Category 2	SY	💲15.91
2575.525/00030	Turf Reinforcement Mat Category 3	SY	💲3.34
2575.525/00040	Turf Reinforcement Mat Category 4	SY	💲13.59

SY=square yard

Reference materials

Except where more stringent requirements are presented in this guidance, BMPs shall comply with MnDOT and other state requirements. Primary design references include the following.

The following is a list of additional resources that are not specific to Minnesota.

Clean Water Services Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Manual (44.1.5 Matting)
North Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual (6.17 Rolled Erosion Control Products)
Kentucky Division of Water Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Controlling Erosion, Sediment, and Pollutant Runoff from Construction Sites – Planning and Technical Specifications Manual
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook (7.11 Rolled Erosion Control Products)
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook (3.36 Soil Stabilization Blankets and Matting)
Clark County Washington Stormwater Manual (BMP C122: Nets and Blankets)
U.S. EPA. 1999. Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet, Turf Reinforced Mats.

Related pages

Stabilization practices

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