Installation Enhancements to Common Inlet Protection Practices Using Large-Scale Testing Techniques

Abstract

Inlet protection practices (IPPs) are temporary erosion and sediment controls commonly used in active construction sites to help reduce off-site transport of sediment. The overall in-field performance of these practices is commonly misunderstood. This study researched common failure modes of IPPs with the use of large-scale, channelized flow experiments. Testing evaluated the performance of standard IPP design details and provided installation enhancements to four typical practices commonly used in the erosion and sediment control industry (aggregate, sandbag, silt fence, and wattle barriers). Installation enhancements focused on providing effective structural improvements with typical installation materials while also considering reduced installation efforts and material costs. Enhancements increased IPP's impoundments while maintaining efficient dewatering times. Variations of practices from state agency design guides and comparisons of developed installation enhancements were presented. A performance and cost comparison was developed for practitioners to use when comparing improved IPPs.

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