Detention basins access ramp

[mayza]

Hi,

I'm from southern California and I'm looking for a soil binding material to be used on a detention basin access ramp (perm. access road). We have ones down here that are paved with asphalt but I was looking for materials that are more aesthetically pleasing!!!

Thanks.

 

[NewcastleEngineer]

One possible solution would be articulated concrete block that would allow grass or vegetation to grow through openings in the blocks. This may work for light-duty traffic. Some actually come in mattresses that are tied to gether by steel cables that might help provide additional traffic support. You'll want to talk with themanufacturer about this application.

I was talking with another engineer about this, and he indicated there is a product called "grassy paver" on the market that may allow a grass covered driving surface. You may be able to find this product on the internet.

If heavy-duty traffic (heavy trucks, etc.) are proposed for the access ramp, I doubt either of these ideas will perform as well as an asphaltic concrete pavement.

 

[layfieldman]

You may also want to look at a product called Pyramat. It is available in green or tan and can be vegetated. It has been used in LID (low impact developement) such as when roads have been built with no shoulders except for Pyramat reinforced grass. For more information

http://www.fixsoil.com

manufactured by SI.

 

[LHA]

Here in PA, I've spec'd Pyramat for them before. The only "traffic" this access should ever see is a Bobcat for cleaning and maintenance. I can not imaging a scenario where there would be regular truck traffic into a stormwater basin. Pyramat should withstand the once-or-twice a lifetime to, say replace an outlet structure.

Always, though wrap the access helically down into the basin, versus straight down at 3:1 or whatever...I shoot for 20% or less, at 10' wide, this is feasable.

 

[gibfrog]

Check out Geoweb® Load Support System, originally developed by the USCOE. The 8" flexible grids supports heavy truck traffic. Fill cells with soil and the grass seed. Must anchor grids and not recomended to fill with small (1"-2")rounded river rock. If grid fails, rounded river rock will not provide stable support.

The you could also try Geoblock® Porous Pavement System and sod over it.

Check out

http://www.prestogeo.com,

but there are others.

3"-4" concrete pavers, like the kind available at Home Depot or your local landscape supply store are not bad, but not really pretty. The grass never grows well without irrigation and then a sub/base is needed for heavy trucks.

Clifford H Laubstein
FL PE 58662

 

[cvg]

use soil cement or cement treated base.
this is used extensively in Arizona for bank lining on rivers and access ramps. It is also used for grade control and drop structures. If you limit the amount of cement used, the color and appearance will nearly match the native soils.