Strengthening the pond with geogrid reviews. Strengthening the banks of the pond with a three-dimensional geogrid

The problem of collapse and erosion of the banks of reservoirs is much more serious than it might seem at first glance. If a house or garden plot is located near the coastline, they will inevitably suffer if appropriate measures are not taken in time. This applies to any body of water, natural or artificially created.

Strengthening the banks of a pond with your own hands is a doable task. But the success of the event directly depends on how correctly the method of eliminating the problem was chosen and implemented. The choice, in turn, depends on an objective assessment of the situation. For this purpose, several points are clarified:

• shore soil type;
• slope angle;
• collapse occurs above or below the water level;
• when did the first signs of a problem with the coastline appear;
• based on the data obtained, it is necessary to estimate the rate of destruction;
• make a forecast and decide whether there is enough time to prepare for the implementation of methods for thoroughly strengthening the coast or whether it is necessary to act as quickly as possible.

After clarifying the situation, they get acquainted with information about ways to solve it, and choose the most acceptable one for themselves.

Choosing a method for strengthening the shore

From the very beginning, you need to understand that there are no free options for strengthening the coastline. To one degree or another, you will have to spend money. The most difficult, labor-intensive and expensive situation to solve is when the banks are steep and sandy. These will always collapse and strengthening is only a temporary measure to reduce the rate of destruction.

There are not many ways to solve the problem. And, as experts say, each specific case has its own option. But there are practical recommendations that you need to follow.

Options for strengthening a gently sloping bank:

• geomats;
• geogrid;
• geogrid;
• mattresses.

Options for strengthening a steep bank:

• gabions;
• piles;
• construction of supports from concrete walls.

Strengthening the bank of a pond with a larch log

In both cases, it is possible to strengthen the coastal zone with plants (trees and shrubs). This is one of the inexpensive, but not the most reliable methods. A more effective solution is an engineering-biological method that combines the use of modern materials and planting.

The use of biomaterials is the most troublesome and time-consuming method. In order to achieve the desired result, it is necessary to choose the right tree varieties and take into account the soil characteristics. This requires special knowledge. But if necessary, you can always get advice from a specialist. The main requirement for plants: they must have a powerful, branched and rapidly developing root system.

Rabitz

A low-cost method that is a temporary solution to the problem. It will eliminate it for 2-3 years, depending on the speed of destruction of the banks.

To complete the task you will need:

The method involves performing a large amount of excavation work, so you need to prepare the appropriate tools:

• buckets;
• shovels;
• garden wheelbarrow or stretcher.

You will also need a sledgehammer and pliers.

Stages of work:

1. Spread the netting mesh sheets.
2. They are tied together with knitting wire.
3. The mesh is secured to the banks using anchors or metal pins.
4. Soil mixed with grass seeds is filled into the cells.

If you need quick results, you make an effort and create conditions for seed germination: use fertile soil and provide watering. Instead of chain-link, you can use an anti-erosion mesh.

Geogrid

This method requires preliminary planning of the areas to be strengthened. The shore is cleared of the top layer of soil and leveled as much as possible.

1. Non-woven geotextiles are laid on the prepared surfaces.
2. A geogrid is laid on top.
3. The modules are connected to each other using a construction pneumatic stapler.
4. The geogrid is tensioned and secured with anchors (the attachment points should be staggered).
5. The cells are filled with any material suitable for strengthening purposes.

To fill the grid, it is easiest to use stones of medium fraction (20x40 mm). This could be crushed stone, gravel, screenings. The frame can be concreted using frost-resistant concrete and adding an additive that increases moisture resistance (for example, Penetrite).

At the same time as strengthening, the shore can be decorated, made more cozy and comfortable. To do this, the cells are filled with marble chips, sea pebbles, and beautiful colored stones. This method of strengthening the shore allows for the most convenient and safe descent to the water.

Box and cylindrical gabions

Gabions are containers made of single or double metal mesh, filled with medium and large stones.

Fortified shores of the pond with gabions

There are three types of these products:

1. Box-shaped.
2. Cylindrical.
3. Mattresses.

Sizes may vary. Gabions can be made independently from construction metal mesh and knitting wire. In this case, you will be able to save money, but the manufacturing process will take time. To strengthen the shore of a pond, the best design options are box or mattress.

With the independent manufacturing method, two types of mesh connections are possible:

• welded;
• tied with wire.

The first ones are more durable and can be of larger sizes. If the second method of connecting metal mesh sheets is chosen, it is recommended to make smaller products.

Optimal parameters:

• height 30-40 cm;
• length 1.5-2 m;
• width 1 m.

When making it yourself, the assembly and laying of gabions is carried out at the place where this product will be located. Here they fill it with stones. If you decide to buy gabions, you will need special equipment to unload them.

Cylindrical gabions are made from a “softer” mesh: double-torsion steel. These designs are a kind of “candy” with “tails” on the sides. They are produced faster than box-shaped ones.

Average sizes:

• length 200-400 cm;
• diameter 65-95 cm.

Advantages of shore strengthening with gabions:

• helps solve the problem of bank sliding in cases where all other methods are not suitable;
• environmentally friendly;
• long service life (at least 50 years);
• externally they look like a stone embankment and blend well with the surrounding landscape;
• plants and lawn grass are planted on the stones, giving the shore a well-groomed and cozy appearance.

Gabions are laid along the line of a steep steep bank, constructing a kind of embankment from them. In most cases, installing 2-3 tiers of these metal containers with stones is enough.

Gabion mattresses

Mattresses are flat (23-25 ​​cm high) and wide gabions. They are most convenient and effective when strengthening gently sloping banks. These structures are laid in one or two layers.

Stages of work:

1. In the area to be strengthened, a sand fill 10 cm thick is made. The layer is leveled, moistened and compacted with a vibrating plate or any heavy device.
2. Geotextiles are laid so that there is an overlap of 10-15 cm between the sheets.
3. Lay mesh mattresses.
4. They are reinforced in the corners with pegs made of wooden blocks or reinforcement bars (this will prevent the mattress from moving when filled with stones).
5. Gabions are filled with stones from bottom to top.
6. Close the “mattress covers” and secure them.

Gabion mattresses

Over time, after 1-2 years, compaction of the stones will inevitably occur. There will be voids in metal mattresses, and the upper part of the mesh box may sag. The situation is corrected by adding new stones. It is important to choose the correct fraction so that it matches the cell size. When filling mattresses, the largest stones are driven into a pliable metal mesh with a rubber hammer.

Coconut mats

Coconut mats are otherwise called “biomats”. These products are used to strengthen banks with a slope of no more than 60°. The mats are made from coconut fiber, which is durable and non-hygroscopic. Average density – 700 g/m². These are visually attractive, environmentally friendly products on which plants (including aquatic ones) can be planted. Coconut fiber is a good basis for the development of the root system. The average cell size of the mats is 150x150 mm.

Advantages:

• Prevent coastal erosion.
• Protects against weathering of sand and soil.
• They strengthen the slope, including by rooting planted plants.

Stages of work:

Mats must be laid in the direction from the bottom (from the water) up. It is not recommended to stretch the products; an overlap of 10-15 cm is required.

Wooden piles

Installing wooden piles along the water line is considered a traditional way to strengthen the shore of a pond. Only two types of wood are suitable for this purpose: larch and oak. These are expensive species, but unbarked sections of logs can be used to install the coastline. They are cheaper.

However, the best choice is piles treated with special impregnations that increase the resistance of wood to moisture and slow down the decay process. A layer of geotextile is laid between the bank soil and wooden supports. It will prevent soil and sand from penetrating through the cracks between the logs.

The piles are installed close to each other, thereby forming a reliable shield. It prevents erosion and collapse of the shore. Installation is carried out using high-pressure pumps. In this case, the shore is not destroyed. Therefore, the installation of wooden piles can be carried out in already landscaped areas. The shore strengthened in this way has a neat and attractive appearance.

Video review of driving a wooden pile to strengthen the bank

PVC tongue and groove piles

An advanced way to strengthen the banks of a pond is to install PVC piles. The technology was developed by European specialists with the aim of saving natural materials and minimizing the costs of strengthening the watershed line. The essence of the method is to erect a waterproof, durable polymer partition between the water and the shore.

Reinforced bank with sheet piles

Features and Benefits:

• Used to form channels.
• Protects slopes from erosion.
• Optimal for installation in places with variable water levels.
• PVC has high strength and is resistant to mechanical stress.
• Not subject to chemical and natural corrosion.
• Resistant to temperature changes.
• It has a high load-bearing capacity of 262 kNm/m.
• Service life of at least 50 years.

Manufacturers offer PVC piles of different sizes. The average length is 35 m. All products are equipped with locks, thanks to which the supports are connected to each other.

The convenience of these structures is that the joining can be done at any angle, which allows the formation of curved panels that fully correspond to the landscape.

The strength and high reliability of PVC walls are ensured, among other things, by the fact that the tongue and groove connections are located outside the zone of maximum loads.

Installation of piles is carried out in three ways:

1. Vibratory hammering (most commonly used, performed using a vibratory hammer).
2. Vibration immersion with washing.
3. Vibration immersion with digging.

Concrete piles and walls

Strengthening the shore of a pond with concrete piles is a reliable, but less durable method than using wood or PVC. The reason is the hygroscopicity of concrete and its gradual destruction. But any structures made from this building material that are in direct contact with water will last at least 25 years. This is a long enough time to choose this method.

Technology for strengthening the bank with reinforced concrete:

The thickness of the resulting wall is 40-50 cm, the height is 100-120 cm. From the shore side, sand or gravel is added so as to completely cover the concrete wall.

You can strengthen the shore of a pond in different ways. It is important to correctly assess the condition of the slopes and choose the most convenient and reliable option in this case. Most of the work can be done independently, without the involvement of specialists and special equipment.

Quite often people have the task of strengthening the banks of a pond at their dacha. For this, it is permissible to use different designs. To avoid shedding of the earth, wooden or concrete piles, mesh, and coconut mats are used. You can also plant various plants on the shore, which with their roots help strengthen the earth. To achieve good results, you should think through the design down to the smallest detail.

When organizing the strengthening of berThere are many factors to consider. This will help you achieve good results.

Soil characteristics

First of all, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the key properties of the soil. There are types of soil that tend to crumble.

Coastline Features

Equally important is the assessment of the features of the pond shore. In this case, it is worth taking into account its height and steepness of the slope.

How the earth crumbles

It is definitely worth understanding the peculiarities of soil shedding. It can fall from the surface of the shore or under water.

How long has the reservoir been equipped?

It is important to determine the characteristics of the reservoir and the time when the banks began to crumble.

How is the problem area located?

It is definitely worth determining the location of the pond. Taking this into account, the method of strengthening is chosen. When carrying out work, it is important not to disturb the appearance of the site.

Purpose of the territory

It is worth considering the purpose of the territory. The location of nearby residential buildings and other structures matters.

Climatic features

The climatic features of the area are of great importance. These include sharp fluctuations in temperature and precipitation.

Basic methods of strengthening with your own hands

There are many methods for strengthening a pond, each of which has certain characteristics.

Stilts

This method can strengthen relatively steep slopes. To do this, it is worth using metal and reinforced concrete structures. Sometimes wood or even plastic piles are used. The structure is similar to a log wall. The standard method of strengthening a pond is the use of wooden piles. In this case, it is permissible to use only 2 types of wood. These include oak and larch. These species are considered expensive, but for strengthening it is permissible to use unrooted sections of logs. This material is cheaper.

It is best to purchase piles that have special impregnations. They increase the resistance of wood to moisture and help slow down putrefactive processes. It is worth laying a layer between the soil of the bank and the piles. It is made from geotextile. Thanks to this element, it is possible to avoid soil and sand from getting into the cracks.

The piles should be placed close to each other. This will help form a reliable shield. It helps to avoid soil erosion and shedding. Installation is carried out using high-pressure pumps. This helps avoid bank destruction. Therefore, it is permissible to install piles in landscaped areas. As a result, you will be able to get a neat coastline.

Gabions

Carrying out work with gabions is simple and economical. The advantages of using such structures include the following:

1. The material effectively resists the onslaught of water.
2. Features a long service life. It is over 100 years old.
3. It is considered an accessible method that is associated with low costs. If necessary, dismantling can be done.
4. The finished structure is considered environmentally friendly and attractive.

It is not difficult to make such a design. In this case, you should follow these recommendations:

• install a structure in the problem area and fill it with stones;
• correctly calculate the number of gabions and select the method of their installation - this depends on the parameters of the height of the slope;
• at the final stage, make a decorative finish using soil and plant seeds - this will help strengthen the structure.

The gabion structure reaches maximum strength parameters after 5 years of use. During this period of time, the coastline becomes one with the landscape.

Box-shaped

It is possible to make gabions yourself. For this purpose, metal mesh and wire are used. In this case, you will be able to save money. However, the manufacturing process takes time. A box-shaped structure is perfect for strengthening the bank. When making gabions, you can use welded joints or tie them with wire. The first ones are considered durable. They can be quite large.

When choosing the second connection method, it is worth making a smaller product.

The height of the structure is 30-40 centimeters. Its length should be 1.5-2 meters, and its width should be 1. When making it yourself, all procedures should be done at the intended location of the gabion. It is also recommended to fill it with stones. When purchasing ready-made gabions, special equipment will be required.

Cylindrical

To make cylindrical gabions, a softer mesh is used. Double torsion steel is suitable for this purpose. The result is a design that resembles a so-called candy. Cylindrical gabions are made faster than box-shaped ones. They are made 2-4 meters in length, 65-95 centimeters in diameter. The resulting structures are placed along the coastline, making them a kind of embankment. Usually 2-3 tiers filled with stones are enough.

Gabion matrix

This term refers to flat and wide structures. They are convenient and highly efficient. Such gabions should be laid in 1-2 layers. To do this, do the following:

1. Make a sand fill on the problem area. Its thickness should be 10 centimeters. The layer should be leveled, moistened and compacted. A vibrating plate or any heavy device is suitable for this.
2. Lay down geotextiles. The canvases should overlap each other by 10-15 centimeters.
3. Lay gabions.
4. Strengthen them at the corners with pegs. They can be made from wooden blocks. Fittings are also great. This will help prevent the gabion from moving when filled with stones.
5. Fill the free space with stones, close the lids and secure them.

After 1-2 years, compaction of the stones is observed. As a result, voids will appear in the structure. There is also a risk of the mesh sagging. Adding new stones will help solve the problem. It is worth choosing their sizes correctly. This is done taking into account the cell size.

Anti-erosion mesh

A special feature of this material is its softness and flexibility. It is a so-called cobweb, which is laid on the ground and covered. The roots of trees and shrubs are fixed to the soil. As a result, it is possible to obtain a uniform protective layer.

Artificial mesh

For this structure it is worth using reinforcing mesh. A wire rack works great too. It is placed along the shore and filled with stones. The structure looks like a kind of formwork. On one side of the structure there should be a pond bank.

Planting vegetation

This is an effective method that requires special knowledge. It is important to choose moisture-loving crops that can grow in a specific soil type. Equally important are well-developed roots that can hold the soil together.

Geogrid

This is a simple method of strengthening, in which so-called surface reinforcement is carried out. It is recommended to sprinkle the structure with crumbs made from hard materials or pebbles on top.

It is worth considering that this method is suitable for a relatively flat slope.

Concrete wall support

To implement this method, you should perform the following steps:

1. Drive the piles. It is recommended to do this along the watershed line.
2. Dig a furrow along the wall and make formwork in it.
3. Place the frame inside. It is made from rebar.
4. Fill the piles with concrete. It must be hydraulic.
5. Pour sand or gravel from the shore.

Coconut mats

These products can be used to strengthen the bank with a slope of no more than 60 degrees. The mats are made from coconut fiber. This material is considered durable. It does not absorb moisture. Plants can be planted on top of the mats.

The following actions will help strengthen the bank:

• prepare the slope - remove stones and level the soil;
• pour 5-7 centimeters of soil;
• sow grass seeds;
• lay the mats and secure them with pegs;
• plant plants in cells;
• water the shore.

Common Mistakes

When carrying out strengthening work, many people make the following mistakes:

• choose the wrong method;
• violate the procedure technique;
• use incorrect materials that do not meet hygroscopicity requirements.

To strengthen the shore, it is permissible to use the following methods:

1. Use gabion-box structures. They are made from strong and durable galvanized mesh.
2. Combine the use of gabions with planting larch or using geogrids. This method helps to achieve results for 80 years.
3. Use flat gabions. They are made from double-twisted metal mesh. It must have a galvanized or polymer coating.
4. Plant Siberian larch. This culture is considered very durable. It is characterized by properties that do not lead to disruption of the ecosystem of the reservoir.
5. Use sheet piling partitions in the form of steel sheets or reinforced concrete structures

Strengthening the banks of a pond can be done using various methods. For this purpose, metal structures, plants or various natural materials are used.

How to strengthen a river bank with your own hands? Many people who have a dacha or house located near water (this could be, for example, a river, an area near a pond, lake or reservoir) ask this question.

River banks tend to collapse over time, so they need to be strengthened, otherwise, sooner or later, a collapse of any building may occur.

They strengthen the banks mainly before construction and in places where there are frequent landslides, because your things can go under water along with the ground.

Various ways to strengthen the shore

1. It is possible to strengthen the bank with an anti-erosion mesh. This is a cheap method, since the mesh is a fairly strong, but flexible and almost invisible material. Within a month, it is wrapped around the roots of plants and a fortified bank is obtained.
2. Coconut mat for strengthening the banks. The material is natural and durable; it is a mesh of thin intertwined ropes that will support the shore for several years.
3. Geogrid for strengthening banks. Inexpensive, but the most effective option. The geogrid can be laid even on an already creeping bank; it will serve you for many years, and the bank will take on a beautiful appearance. You can easily move along it even on steep slopes, because it has a cellular texture, so it does not slip.
4. Strengthening the bank with reinforcing mesh. Also a good option, the mesh will prevent slopes from forming.
5. Biological objects that strengthen the banks. A rather expensive and short-lived method, because to strengthen the bank you will only need natural elements.
6. Strengthening the shore with piles. A reliable method in which the shore is strengthened by driving in support piles made of metal or concrete, less often plastic. Ideal if there are steep cliffs on the shore.
7. Sheet piling bank protection is the cheapest and fastest method. The sheet pile is laid along the coastline and prevents water from washing away the ground behind it.
8. Plants protecting the shore. A very costly, difficult process, the results of which you will see after a few years. Trees with their roots will create a protective frame that holds the soil.
9. Strengthening the bank with larch. The most reliable and durable method, due to the fact that the tree is quite unpretentious and durable.
10. Strengthening the shore with gabions. Flexible, lightweight design that can be used to give the shore any look.

We have looked at the main methods and materials for strengthening the shore; now let’s move on to how to make such a strengthening with your own hands.

Strengthening the river bank with your own hands

Let's consider the option of strengthening the river bank with your own hands with a coconut mat. This option is quite good if there are sharp cliffs on the shore; in addition, the coconut mat has a natural and aesthetic appearance, which gives the edges of the shore beautiful outlines.

The color of the material is very close to the ground, so it is almost invisible, and in its structure it is similar to a mesh of thin but durable ropes. This shape allows plants that love moisture to send their roots to the lake through the coconut mat, entwining it and, therefore, strengthening the shore even more. Thus, over time, the entire strengthening will be covered by plants and will become completely invisible.

As you noticed, there are a lot of ways to strengthen it, but coconut mat is taken as an example because it is easy to work with when strengthening the bank with your own hands.

Materials and tools:

• coconut mesh;
• fittings;
• shovel;
• construction adhesive;
• stones;
• seeds of perennial grasses.

You should start laying from the upper parts of the coastline; you do not need to stretch the coconut mat too much; on the contrary, it is better to give it some free space and start unwinding the skein of material into the river or pond; it should lie at least 20 cm along the bottom.

The upper part is fixed using ordinary reinforcement, which, of course, can be safely removed in a month, and all other places along the slope, if it is steep, can be secured with wooden pegs, which will dissolve themselves over time, or with the same reinforcement.

On a flat bank and bottom there is no need to strengthen anything, you can only press the ends with heavy stones, and cover the rest of the coconut mesh with sand and fix it, thus the water itself will strengthen the mesh within a few days.

Since the shore area can be quite wide, you will need to place several rolls or skeins of material nearby.

To prevent the material from spreading and the shore from starting to sag, you must make overlaps between the joints. The minimum overlap should be at least 15 cm, and these places should be properly coated with construction adhesive.

After completing all of the above operations, you need to give time to achieve the final result.

If after a week you find collapses somewhere, you will have to repeat the entire operation in this place, and if not, then the mesh will already be overgrown with the first roots. After another week, there will be enough roots to support the entire structure, then you can safely remove all the reinforcement from the ground. Now you have to take additional measures.

Additional events

These will include an artificial increase in vegetation, because the more roots there are, the denser your fortification.

To do this, you will need to purchase seeds of perennial grasses or small trees and simply sow as densely as possible on the top of the bank and, if possible, on steep slopes.

The second stage will be decorating the shore. If the shore is sandy, then you can simply bury the visible parts of the coconut mat, and if it is grassy, ​​then you can add more stones or earth - this will create additional strength and ensure the beauty of the entire shore.

There are many advantages of using coconut mat, here are the main ones:

1. The material is environmentally friendly, because it consists exclusively of natural elements.
2. Cheapness is one of the main parameters if you need to cover large areas.
3. The installation work is very simple, even one person can handle it within a few hours.
4. For several years the slope will not erode or slide.
5. The mesh structure allows plant roots to pass through it, which will provide additional strength.
6. The strength of the material is not lost from sunlight, contact with water and from the decomposition of natural organic matter.

As you can see, your problem with landslides from constant contact with water can be solved very quickly with the help of your hands, because no additional knowledge is required. In addition, there will be no need to spend a lot of money or obtain permits from government authorities.

By spending only a couple of hours of your time, you will forget about the problem for 2-3 years, or maybe more, because if there is a lot of vegetation on the shore, it will create tangles of roots and its own mesh, which will continue to hold the shore after the decomposition of the coconut mat. Also, after a couple of weeks, no one will be able to guess that the bank is reinforced, because the material will no longer be noticeable.

Artificial reservoirs not only add variety to the landscape of the site, but also serve as a place for recreation, and reservoirs equipped with a filtration treatment system can be used for fish farming. But cleaning and ensuring the living organism of a reservoir is not all the conditions for its normal functioning; technical requirements for waterproofing the bottom and strengthening the shore must also be met. Shedding of unfortified banks and sliding of soil without strengthening are inevitable, and when soil from the banks gets into the water, it contributes to siltation of the pond, and the contours of the reservoir show their foundation - concrete or clay, or waterproofing films. To prevent the banks of the pond from being washed away by water and sliding down, the perimeter is strengthened in various ways. The choice of strengthening method depends on the size of the reservoir, its purpose and, of course, on the decision on financial costs. The simplest and most popular ways to strengthen the shore of a reservoir is to use geogrid or gabion structures.

Strengthening the shore with geogrid

You will need a geogrid with a medium-sized cell, a geotextile fabric for the drainage base, anchors and material for filling the grid cells - crushed stone, soil; if the shore of a reservoir is decorated without planting plants, then frost-resistant concrete is suitable for filling the cells. To lay the geogrid, it is necessary to cut off the plant soil layer, then the base is compacted and lined with geotextiles. The geogrid is fixed into the base soil with special anchors, then filled with concrete mixture, medium-fraction crushed stone or soil. When planting plants in a lattice, their root system serves as additional strengthening of the bank. Reinforcement with a geogrid (if special strength is not required, then you can even use a used chain-link mesh) and even with a three-dimensional geogrid is not the most reliable method of strengthening the bank, but it is done quickly, and the work time does not depend on the season.

Gabions - strengthening and decorating reservoirs

With a gabion structure it is possible to strengthen both the shore and the walls of a reservoir to its entire depth. The design of the gabion is simple and consists of steel wire, fixed and tied in the form of a box, and a stone filling. Box structures are made locally and can be of the shape and size required for a specific area of ​​the reservoir. The installation of gabions is carried out with fixation in the corners, fastening the wire with anchors. Gabion structures assembled at the installation site are massive and are not afraid of soil movements possible as a result of seasonal frost heaving, water, atmospheric influences, or mechanical loads. The main condition for gabion filler is that the size of the stones or crushed stones must be sufficient for the filler to be firmly held in the wire grid. In the middle of the structure, you can use improvised filler from scrap concrete and broken bricks; the front surfaces of gabions are often filled with decorative stone. Gabion structures do not require drainage; plant roots do little harm to them, and more often than not they only strengthen the banks as they grow. This design of the pond is very decorative and reliable, and it is also the most economical way. A retaining wall can also be made of reinforced concrete, but this method, while reliable, requires financial investments and is very labor-intensive.

Strengthening with biomats

The most environmentally friendly method is considered to be strengthening the bank using biomats and planting certain types of shrubs and trees. For coastal zones of reservoirs in the middle zone, red willow, some types of sea buckthorn, currant bushes, decorative types of sedge and cattail, and flowers - irises - are used. By using coconut mats or geogrid, you can strengthen even very steep slopes of reservoirs - with a slope of 50% or more. Waterproof adhesives are used to attach biomats. Fertile soil is laid on top of the biomats in a layer of 100-200 mm, then lawn grasses, clover are sown, or perennial flowering plants are planted. Additional fastening of the slopes and at the same time artistic decoration can be provided by using natural stone and boulders on top of biomats or geogrids. Strengthening the bank with plants is the simplest and cheapest method, and also the most aesthetic and decorative, but in terms of reliability and durability it is inferior to all other methods. It all depends on the properties of the soil, and sandy shores cannot be strengthened by planting plants; moreover, the root system takes a very long time to grow.

Pile fortifications of steep banks of reservoirs

The most ancient method of securing the walls and shoreline is wooden piles driven along the contour of the reservoir. Hardwood is a traditional material for making coastal piles, and it is possible to make piles with your own hands. But you can’t do without special equipment to drive piles. In addition, only a few types of wood can withstand operation in conditions of humidity and temperature changes, and here larch has no competitors, which only becomes stronger over the years, and in water can acquire the strength of iron. For deciduous wood, biological protective agents are used, which increase the service life of the piles, but the destruction of the wood under extreme conditions is still inevitable. Concrete piles are a more durable and reliable option, but their cost is high.

A special place is occupied by strengthening the banks with PVC sheet piles. Other names are sheet piling, or plastic pile, and the profile of the piles can be flat, U-shaped, or Z-shaped. The material for sheet piles can be not only polyvinyl chloride, but also metals (Larsen sheet piling), aluminum, and there are also composite options. Coastal sheet piling is aesthetically pleasing and reliable, and is in demand in many countries.

An addition to the sheet piling - a reinforced concrete “cap” beam - makes the shore line almost eternal and this method is used for the steepest banks and difficult soils. The main disadvantage is the high price of material and work.

Each pond requires an individual approach to strengthening its banks. Of course, no one strengthens small decorative ponds with a sheet pile wall or geogrid with a large mesh, but deep fish ponds require serious strengthening and planting plants that require several years to develop the root system will not help in this case. When choosing the strengthening and design of the bank, everything is important - the type of soil on the banks, the size of the reservoir, and the climate of the area.

Many land owners face the problem of soil shedding along the shore of a pond or lake. Some people live in close proximity to a reservoir, others have a dacha there. Even those who are on their own on their own territory are not immune from such a nuisance if all possible consequences were not taken into account at the time and the necessary measures were not taken at the construction stage.

It is not entirely correct to speak “in general” about strengthening the banks. In each specific case, a number of points need to be assessed.

• Firstly, soil characteristics.
• Secondly, the “features” of the coast - the steepness of the slope, its height.
• Thirdly, how does the earth crumble - only from the surface or over the entire “cut” area, including in the “underwater” part?
• Fourthly, how long has it been since the artificial reservoir was installed?
• Fifthly, the location of the “problem” place. After all, the choice of strengthening method depends on this. For example, so as not to disturb the overall landscape of the site.
• Sixthly, the purpose of this part of the territory. It’s one thing if it’s a deserted area, and another thing if there’s a building nearby or, for example, a boat dock. Although ponds of this size are an exception to the rule for most of our fellow citizens.
• Seventh, climate features (precipitation intensity, temperature changes, etc.).

Therefore, this is not such a simple question. Now it is worth listing the main, most used methods of carrying out measures to strengthen the banks of a reservoir.

Stilts

This method is used for relatively steep slopes. Products made of metal, reinforced concrete, wood (but only certain species, for example, larch), even plastic are used. In fact, this design resembles a wall made of logs that were used to surround ancient cities in the past. But it is unlikely that it will be possible to build such a “tyn” manually, since the piles will have to be driven in.

Gabions

In fact, this is one of the extreme methods when others do not give the desired effect. A “retaining” wall is constructed from special boxes to protect the soil from sliding. More suitable for large areas and requires the use of technical means.

Anti-erosion mesh

The peculiarity is that it is soft and flexible. Essentially, this is a “web” that is placed on the ground and covered. The roots of plants bind it to the soil, and a single protective layer is formed.

As a variety - coconut mat, which is used to cover the banks of a reservoir, Reno mattresses.

Artificial wall

To construct it, a reinforcing mesh (or lattice) is used, which is placed along the shore and filled with stone (ruble, tumbled or other). It resembles a kind of formwork, one of the sides of which is the shore of a reservoir.

Planting vegetation

This method is quite effective, but requires special knowledge. It is necessary to select not only moisture-loving plants that are suitable for a given soil (composition, acidity, etc.), but also with a root system that branches well and, therefore, will reliably “fasten” the soil in a certain “territory.”

Geogrid

A fairly simple technology that produces a kind of “reinforcement” of the surface. The top is often filled with crumbs of hard materials (for example, marble) or small pebbles. But this method is applicable for a relatively flat slope.

It is worth dwelling on this technique in more detail, since it is used most widely in individual areas. It is quite easy to treat a “problem” area using this method, and all the work can be done independently, without paying for the services of specialists or hiring equipment.

Methodology for strengthening the shore with geogrid

1. The work begins with removing the top layer of soil. It is necessary to prepare a “platform” for laying the material. Accordingly, all irregularities protruding from the rhizome soil must be eliminated.
2. The geogrid has the shape of a rectangle. After it is spread out on the ground, it must be fixed. For this purpose, special “anchors” are used - around the perimeter and
3. inside (it is more convenient to place the fasteners in a checkerboard pattern). By the way, they are included in the kit.
4. Adjacent panels are fastened to each other with staples () and additionally along the joint - anchors.
5. Filling cells. This item depends on the owner’s imagination. Naturally, it is necessary to take into account the overall design of the site. Options include pebbles (possibly with coarse sand), concrete mortar (frost-resistant grade), natural or artificial stones. The point is to strengthen the created “flooring” on top. Practice shows that it is more expedient to cover the grate with soil and plant plant seeds. Their roots will further stabilize the soil.

The advantage of this method lies not only in the simplicity of the technology. Installation of a geogrid will not change the appearance of the site and will not require large material costs. For example, a product with cells measuring 16 x 16 cm will cost 92 rubles/m2. Although there are cheaper options - 50, 75 rubles.

There are other, no less effective methods. Fortunately, our people do not suffer from a lack of original ideas. For example, strengthening running slopes with stones and decorating them to resemble the natural landscape. PVC dowels are also used. Therefore, you need to focus on local conditions and your capabilities.

When choosing a method for strengthening a bank or slope, you need to take into account the feasibility of using certain materials and their service life in the local climate. For example, if the coast is not high, but the coastline is long, then there is no point in installing piles, even if it seems original and impressive to someone. In addition, quite often the desired result can be achieved by combining separate methods, since the destruction can be “spot”, and “multi-faceted”.

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