Performance Evaluations of Three Silt Fence Practices Using a Full-Scale Testing Apparatus

Abstract

Erosion and sediment controls on construction sites minimize environmental impacts from sediment-laden stormwater runoff. Silt fence, a widely specified perimeter control practice on construction projects used to retain sediment on-site, has limited performance-based testing data. Silt fence failures and resultant sediment losses are often the result of structural failure. To better understand silt fence performance, researchers at the Auburn University-Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility (AU-ESCTF) have evaluated three silt fence options to determine possible shortcomings using standardized full-scale testing methods. These methods subject silt fence practices to simulated, in-field conditions typically experienced on-site without the variability of field testing or the limited application of small-scale testing. Three different silt fence practices were tested to evaluate performance, which included: (1) Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Trenched Silt Fence, (2) ALDOT Sliced Silt Fence, and (3) Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (AL-SWCC) Trenched Silt Fence. This study indicates that the structural performance of a silt fence perimeter control is the most important performance factor in retaining sediment. The sediment retention performance of these silt fence practices was 82.7%, 66.9% and 90.5%, respectively. When exposed to large impoundment conditions, both ALDOT Trench and Sliced Silt Fence practices failed structurally, while the AL-SWCC Trenched Silt Fence did not experience structural failure.

Full-Scale Performance Evaluations of Various Wire-Backed Nonwoven Silt Fence Installation Configurations

“…Based on the findings of Bugg et al ( 8 ), the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) standard reinforced silt fence ( 9 ) yielded no improvement in water quality and failed structurally when subjected to repeated 2-year, 24-h storm events. Thus, the Auburn University Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility (AU-ESCTF) research team were tasked with investigating alternative installation configurations that would enhance the overall performance of the standard ALDOT silt fence.…”

Sediment Transport and Its Impacts on Lake Kivu, Gihira Water Treatment Plant and Various Hydropower Plants along Sebeya River in Rwanda

“…In order to minimize Sebeya river sediment loading rates, the present study strongly recommends the improvement of the existing soil erosion and sediment control measures for high effective performance. As indicated by different research findings, this study also propose to increase the implementation of soil erosion control measures including terraces [4], mulching [32], contour bunds [33], forestation and conservation tillage [34], various slopes stabilization measures, cover crops and vegetation [35], various riverbanks stabilization measures like riverbank stone revetment, grassed waterways [36] and specific sediment control measures such as buffer zones, sediment fences, sediment basin and check dams [37] [38] [39]. These measures have to be adopted basing on the specific area criteria in the Sebeya catchment like land slope, soil depth and other essential characteristics.…”

Urban Stormwater Characterization, Control and Treatment

“…They tested the method for silt fence which retained an average of 90.5% by volume of sediment but silt fence did not show any evidence of filtering effect on water quality. In a follow-up study, Bugg et al (2017b) demonstrated the performance of three types of silt fences under full scale. They concluded that silt fences that are structurally strong would perform well to settle out particles through suspension, thus improving the water quality.…”