Testing Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) Under Simulated Rainfall Conditions

This test evaluates the ability of RECPs to protect soils from rainsplash-induced erosion. Conatiners containing both bare and RECP-protected soil are exposed to simulated rainfall. Rainfall is simulated using a laboratory drip-type simulator capable of creating uniform drops with a median diameter of 3.0 to 3.5 mm (0.11 to 0.14 in) from a drop height of 2.0 meters (79 in) and producing a rainfall intensity as high as 120 " 11 mm/hr (5 "0.5 in/hr). The amount of soil that splashes out of the containers is collected and weighed. The results can be used to compare bare and RECP-protected situations.