Leading Erosion Control Testing Services

bt_bb_section_bottom_section_coverage_image

Experience and Accreditation in Erosion Control

At TRI, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of erosion control and geotechnical testing services. Since the early 1990s, we’ve established ourselves as the pioneer laboratory accredited by the Geosynthetics Accreditation Institute (GAI), continuously expanding our scope of accredited test methods. TRI’s Roads to Rivers Research Laboratory in Greenville stands out as the premier independent lab for comprehensive testing of Erosion Control Products (ECP) and Sediment Retention Devices (SRD), underlining our commitment to excellence in erosion control solutions.

Your Trusted Partner for Erosion Control Solutions

Discover TRI’s capabilities in erosion and geotechnical testing by visiting ErosionTest.com. Our growing portfolio includes a wide array of test procedures for erosion control products and sediment retention devices, bolstered by our AMRL/AASHTO accreditation for numerous geotechnical tests. At TRI, we’re dedicated to advancing the field of erosion control through rigorous testing and quality assurance.

Unmatched Quality Management System

TRI operates under a comprehensive Quality Management System that ensures the highest standards of operation. This system encompasses everything from equipment calibration and the utilization of internal reference materials to thorough personnel training and up-to-date standard operating procedures. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through regular in-house audits and independent reviews necessary for maintaining our accreditations.

Expertise, Efficiency, and Reliability in Testing

Our team of trained technicians utilizes standard operating procedures (SOPs) and state-of-the-art equipment to conduct both standardized and non-standard test methods efficiently. We guarantee that all standard test methods are available for prompt execution, with index testing results typically delivered within one week of sample receipt. For bench-scale and large-scale testing, our turnaround time, including report issuance, is generally 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the current lab workload.

Visit ErosionTest.com today to learn more about how TRI can support your erosion control and geotechnical testing needs with unparalleled expertise, efficiency, and reliability.

Erosion Control: Tests & Capabilities

Premier Testing Services for Erosion, Sediment Control, and Stormwater Management
Unmatched Testing Expertise in Erosion and Stormwater Products

TRI stands as the unparalleled leader in providing comprehensive testing methods for the characterization and performance evaluation of products used in erosion control and sediment control, and stormwater management. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our broad range of laboratory conformance/verification testing and performance-related studies tailored to meet the needs of our clients. From routine index testing that adheres to ASTM, ISO, BS, DIN, and GRI standards to specialized bench-scale indicator tests and extensive large-scale performance evaluations, TRI delivers unmatched expertise.

Comprehensive Performance Testing at our Research Facility

At the heart of our testing capabilities is the Roads to Rivers Research Laboratory (3RL), a state-of-the-art complex renowned for its independent and comprehensive performance testing services. As the only independent commercial laboratory of its kind, 3RL enables us to offer an extensive array of testing capabilities for erosion and sediment control and stormwater management systems. Our advanced facilities are designed to handle both standard and complex test methods, ensuring that our clients receive thorough and reliable product evaluations.

Wide Range of Materials Testing for Erosion and Stormwater Management

TRI is equipped to test a vast spectrum of materials used in erosion and sediment control and stormwater management systems, ensuring comprehensive support for product development and validation. Our testing capabilities include, but are not limited to:

Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECP)
Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRM)
Hydraulically Applied Erosion Control Products (HECP)
Sediment Retention Fiber Rolls (SRFR),
Compost Filter Sock and Wattles
Stormwater Control Measures and Manufactured Treatment Devices
Stormwater Pollutant Removal Devices
Membrane Barriers
Detectable Warning System Panels
Geotextiles and Geogrids
Plastic Pipe and Stormwater Chambers
Green Roof Systems

With our extensive testing services, TRI is your go-to source for rigorous evaluation and verification of products used in erosion control, sediment retention, and stormwater management. Whether you’re developing new solutions or seeking to enhance existing products, TRI provides the expertise and facilities to achieve your goals.

Discover how TRI can support your projects with comprehensive testing and evaluation services by visiting our website. Explore our capabilities and learn more about our commitment to advancing the effectiveness and reliability of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management systems.

Index Testing

Variations in the mass per unit area, raw materials, manufacturing processes, and other product and production components make frequent testing imperative for accurate characterization and quality control of erosion control products (ECPs) and sediment retention devices (SRDs).

Standards For Index Testing And Evaluation Of RECPS

MASS PER UNIT AREA

The mass per unit area, also known as the weight per square yard of a sample, is an important quality control property. ASTM D1 was developed for testing this property of geosynthetics and was, until recently, commonly used for RECPs as well. But since sampling and cutting RECPs can be quite challenging, two new standards have been developed by ASTM: ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs), which uses ten 8 x 8 specimens at ambient laboratory conditions, and ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs), which uses five larger (typically 12 x 14) specimens that have been dried at 50º overnight.

THICKNESS

Thickness is another important quality control property. ASTM D1 was developed as a geosynthetic test method, but it is commonly applied to RECPs using a modified procedure in order to accommodate the uniquely compressive, three-dimensional nature of RECPs. The modifications typically included replacing the standard 2.22-inch diameter plate with a 6-inch diameter presser foot and testing under a 0.029 psi pressure, rather than the 0.29 standard. ASTM has recently approved a new standard specifically for TRMs that adopts these modifications titled ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Measuring Nominal Thickness of Permanent Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs).

TENSILE STRENGTH

Tensile strength is the other primary quality control property measured on RECPs. Arguably, tensile strength may also be important if an RECP is subjected to emergency and recreational vehicular traffic and maintenance such as mowing. Originally, ASTM methods D 5035 and D 1682, textile test methods, were used to measure RECP tensile strength. More recently, a new ASTM tensile test method, that uses at least 5 inch-wide grips, has been approved and is titled ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Ultimate Tensile Properties of Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs).

STIFFNESS

The stiffness of an RECP is a measure of how much it will deflect under its own weight. Products with lower test results are more flexible and can more easily conform to the subgrade. Establishing and maintaining intimate contact with the subgrade is paramount to a successful installation. While ASTM D1 has historically been used to measure stiffness, appropriate procedures have been incorporated into a new test method that is explicitly applicable to TRMs of any fiber content and any number of components: ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Determining Stiffness of Geosynthetics Used as Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs).

LIGHT PENETRATION

A light box has commonly been used to quantify the openness of textile materials. It illumines a light source inside a box on one side of the specimen. On the other side, a calibrated meter measures the amount of light that is able to pass through the specimen. The Lumite Light Projection test method has been used for years to determine the percent of open area of woven geotextiles. This test method has also been used to measure the amount of light from a 60 watt bulb that penetrates through an RECP. This amount – stated as a percentage of the amount associated with no specimen in place – is the light penetration. The inverse of light penetration is the ground cover. A balance of ground cover and light penetration is important for rapid seedling emergence. The values stated as a percentage are to be regarded as nominal values. A light box procedure that increases the bulb wattage to 150 watts has been standardized by ASTM specifically for TRMs and is titled ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Light Penetration of a Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM).

COMPRESSION

Compression is reduction in thickness experienced by the RECP under a standard loading. Five 4.7 x 4.7 specimens are tested at a compressive rate of 10% of thickness per minute. It gives an indication of the RECP’s resistance to flattening. The standard test procedure for TRMs is ASTM D1. The same procedures are generally used for geosynthetics.

RESILIENCY

It is sometimes useful to measure the impact of cyclic loading on the thickness of TRMs. The associated test method establishes the procedures for evaluation of the permanent deformation of a TRM under short-term, repeated compressive loading. It may be relevant to a TRM’s ability to protect newly developing seed from damage during loading. Three 100-psi loads are applied, and the resulting thickness is expressed as a percentage of the original. ASTM D1 was originally used to measure thickness before and after loading. The newer thickness measuring procedures of ASTM D1 have been incorporated into the TRM-specific ASTM standard titled ASTM D1, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Short-Term Compression Behavior of Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs).

ULTRAVIOLET STABILITY

RECPs may need to retain relevant properties when exposed to sunlight. Typically the ultraviolet (UV) portion of the light spectrum is used in accelerated exposure tests. The most common standard accelerated lab test is ASTM D1, which uses a Xenon Arc light source. Specimens are exposed to continuous 120-minute cycles of 90 minutes of light only, followed by 30 minutes of water spray and light. Specimens are typically removed after 150, 300, and 500 hours of exposure and tested for residual tensile strength in accordance with ASTM D1. The retained strength is reported as the measure of a material’s UV light stability. (Note: Since accelerated tests have not shown a consistent correlation to outdoor exposures, ASTM’s D 5970, is available to assess an unaccelerated site-specific UV stability via outdoor exposure.)

Other Non-Standard Index Tests For RECPS

The standardization process takes time to build the necessary consensus for a standard to be accepted industry-wide. While already commonly in use, the following test methods are not ASTM standards:

POROSITY
Porosity is the measure of air voids in the material. Porosity is calculated from thickness, mass per unit area, and specific gravity.

OPEN VOLUME PER UNIT AREA
Open volume per unit area is the measure of void volume within a material. The value disregards the size of the voids. It is calculated using thickness and porosity.

WATER ABSORPTION
Water absorption is a measure of a material’s capacity to absorb water and is generally applicable to organic RECPs. The standard test procedure is ASTM D1 and ECTC-TASC 00197.

SWELL
Related to water absorption is the swell of an organic RECP resulting from water absorption. The test procedure has been proposed by the ECTC in the ECTC-TASC 00197 using ASTM D1 to measure before and after thicknesses. ASTM D1 has also been used for measuring swell.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Specific gravity (SG) is a measure of the unit weight of a material as compared to that of water. The standard test procedure is ASTM D1, Method A.

SMOLDER RESISTANCE
Smolder resistance is a measure of an organic material’s resistance to ignition by a smoldering cigarette. The test procedure has been proposed by the ECTC in the ECTC-TASC 00197.

ASH CONTENT
The ash content of an RECP is that portion of the material that doesn’t burn when exposed to very high temperatures. It is basically a measure of the amount of inert matter in the product and is determined using test procedure ASTM D1.

ORGANIC MATTER
The organic matter in an RECP is that portion which is likely to biodegrade over time. It can be quantified by measuring the amount of the material that burns when exposed to very high temperatures. The standard test procedure is ASTM D1.

Bench Scale Index Testing

Bench-scale tests have been developed for slope erosion, channel erosion, vegetation enhancement, and biodegradability for ECPs, and filtration efficiency and flow rate for SRDs.

TRI Performs The Following Bench-Scale Performance Tests:

ASTM D7101
Slope Erosion & Runoff Reduction

Establishes procedures for evaluating the ability of RECPs to protect soils from rain splash and immediate runoff-induced erosion.

The RECP absorbs the impact force of raindrops, reducing soil particle loosening through “splash” mechanisms.
both bare and RECP-protected soil exposed to simulated rainfall and immediate runoff for 30 minutes
sloped table enclosed by a “shower” curtain.
Rainfall simulated – laboratory drip-type simulator
uniform drops with a median diameter of 3.0 to 3.5 mm from a drop height of 2.0±0.1 m
rainfall intensities as high as 150 mm/hr.
The amount of soil that splashes or is washed out of the containers is collected and weighed. From this data, an appropriate soil loss ratio or associated C-factor can be calculated by comparing the RECP-protected soil loss to the control for a given soil type and a project-specific slope and rainfall intensity.

ASTM D7207
Permissible Shear and Channel Erosion

Establishes procedures for evaluating the ability of RECPs to protect soils from flow-induced erosion.

RECP-protected soil is subjected to shear stresses caused by the rotation of a three-blade impeller for 30 minutes
The amount of soil that erodes is found by weighing the containers under water.
The shear stress test apparatus includes a tank, test well, motor, plastic lid, and impeller.
The three-blade impeller is mounted in the cylindrical tank so that the lower edge of the blades is slightly above the floor of the tank.
The sample test well is a recession in the floor of the tank that holds the pots of soil prepared for testing.
When pots are placed in the well, the test surface is flush with the floor of the tank.
Pots holding soil and test specimens are normally 200 mm diameter plastic pipe sections with height of 100 mm.
The results of the testing include the amount of soil lost at various shear stresses.
From this data, an appropriate permissible shear (tp) can be calculated by assuming a critical amount of soil loss (typically 13 mm).
Permissible Shear and Channel Erosion

ASTM D7322
Germination/Vegetation Growth

Establishes procedures for evaluating the ability of RECPs to encourage seed germination.

The results of the test can be used to compare RECPs and other erosion control methods to determine which are the most effective at encouraging the growth of vegetation in different climates.

Testing is done within a growth chamber.
Containers of soil are sown with seeds and then covered with an RECP.
Additional containers are left uncovered as controls.
The light, water, and temperature are regulated and documented.
The rate of germination is measured periodically throughout the test, and the weight of vegetation is calculated at the conclusion of the test.
Test sets are designed to evaluate an RECP’s ability to enhance the rate and quantity of germination.
The testing results include the rate and total weight of germination after 21 days.
From this data, a percent enhancement can be calculated by comparing results from the RECP covered soil to the control.

BIODEGRADABILITY
Not yet standardized

Establishes the procedures for evaluating the ability of RECPs to resist biodegradation.

A single test is used to determine an RECP’s rate of biodegradation.
Measures CO2 generation for 60 days and compares the carbon lost to gas formation to the theoretical total carbon.
Flasks containing RECP and inoculum are monitored periodically for CO2 generation and compared to the theoretical total carbon content.
A “standard” cellulose material is simultaneously exposed to confirm inoculum’s strength.
From this data, a half-life or “functional longevity” can be projected. A linear trend on a semi-log plot has produced reasonable projections based on reported field evidence.

ASTM D5141
Filtration Efficiency and Flow Rate

This bench-scale test has been used for years to characterize silt fence efficiency.

Recently modified method facilitates sediment retention characterization testing of other types of sediment retention devices (SRD).

Test apparatus can have an open end enclosed by a vertical SRD (i.e. silt fence) or incorporate a horizontal “box” extension to the end of the bench-scale flume to simulation a stormwater drain inlet.
A sediment-laden runoff is created by combining water and soil in the mixing tank and agitating prior to the test. The amount of water (50 L / 13.3 gal) and sediment (0.15 kg / 0.33 lb) and the maximum particle size (2mm / #10 sieve) are prescribed in the standard.
The sediment-laden flow passing through the SRD is collected and filtered, and the time to the end of flow is recorded.
Filtered sediments are dried and weighed.

The weight of collected sediment is compared to the initial amount put into suspension to determine the filtering efficiency of the SRD, and the time for passage of the flow is used to calculate the associated flow rate.

RELEVANT STANDARDS
ASTM D7101	Slope Erosion & Runoff Reduction
ASTM D7207	Permissible Shear and Channel Erosion
ASTM D7322	Germination/Vegetation Growth
Biodegradability	Not yet standardized
ASTM D5141	Filtration Efficiency and Flow Rate

Large-Scale Performance Testing

ASTM D6459
Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion.

This is full-scale simulated rainfall on 3:1 slopes with bare and RECP-protected soil, including:

Rainfall Intensities = 50, 100, 150 mm/hr @ 20 minutes each
1 control + 3 replicate slopes
Inclined (3:1) slopes, 40-ft long and 8-ft wide
12-inch compacted soil veneer
Simulated rain system with 14-ft drop height & up to 6+ inches/hr capacity

ASTM D6460
Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater-Induced Erosion.

This is full-scale channel flow with RECP-protected soil, including:

Increasing Shear Levels psf @ 30 minutes each
3 replicate test sections
Rectangular (flume) or Trapezoidal cross-section with 5% slope
Rectangular cross-section has 2-ft width and 2-ft high side walls
Trapezoidal cross-section has 2-ft bottom and 2H:1V side-slopes
12-inch compacted soil veneer
40-ft total length
Flow capacity up to 50cfs for 30 minutes.

ASTM D7351
Determination Of Sediment Retention Device Effectiveness In Sheet Flow Applications

This is a full-scale installation of an SRD in which sediment-laden water is allowed to “sheet flow” up to and seep through, over, and/or under an installed sediment retention device (SRD). The measurement of sediment that passes through, over, and/or under the SRD compared to the amount in the upstream flow is used to quantify the effectiveness of the SRD in retaining sediments.

An important variable in any testing procedure is the establishment of test “conditions”. For a sediment control performance test this means selecting an appropriate design storm event and associated runoff along with an expected amount of sediment to be transported by the runoff. The default for D 7351 is a standard 10-year, 6-hour storm event (mid-Atlantic region of US). This return frequency is commonly used for sizing sediment control ponds and, thus, was deemed appropriate for the testing of other SRDs. Using this criterion, a 100 mm (4 in) rainfall was selected. It was also assumed that approximately 25% of the storm would occur during the peak 30 minutes, and that 50% of the rainfall would infiltrate into the ground. A theoretical contributory area of 30 m (100 ft) slope length by 6 m (20 ft) wide was selected to limit runoff to sheet flow conditionsRunoff and associated sediment were calculated using the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) which allows for calculating a storm-specific quantity of sediment.

Additional Non-Standard Large-Scale tests:

The following non-standard large-scale tests are also available to assist clients with product development and characterization:

Vegetated RECP shear testing in 20% channels in accordance with ASTM D6460
SRD effectiveness in inlet flow applications (D7351-modified)
Storm water inlet protection provided by sediment retention devices in curb and gutter applications
Pond skimmer evaluations and flow capacities (ASTM D8107)
Buried pipe and stormwater chamber strength/durability evaluations
Large-scale germination and functional longevity testing of erosion control products.

RELEVANT STANDARDS
ASTM D6459	Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion
ASTM D6460	Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater-Induced Erosion
ASTM D7351	Determination Of Sediment Retention Device Effectiveness In Sheet Flow Applications

Large-Scale Performance Testing

ASTM D6459 - Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion

RELEVANT STANDARDS
ASTM D6459	Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion

This is full-scale simulated rainfall on 3:1 slopes with bare and RECP-protected soil, including:

Rainfall Intensities = 50, 100, 150 mm/hr @ 20 minutes each
1 control + 3 replicate slopes
Inclined (3:1) slopes, 40-ft long and 8-ft wide
12-inch compacted soil veneer
Simulated rain system with 14-ft drop height & up to 6+ inches/hr capacity

ASTM D6460 - Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater-Induced Erosion

RELEVANT STANDARDS
ASTM D6460	Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater-Induced Erosion

This is full-scale channel flow with RECP-protected soil, including:

Increasing Shear Levels psf @ 30 minutes each
3 replicate test sections
Rectangular (flume) or Trapezoidal cross-section with 5% slope
Rectangular cross-section has 2-ft width and 2-ft high side walls
Trapezoidal cross-section has 2-ft bottom and 2H:1V side-slopes
12-inch compacted soil veneer
40-ft total length
Flow capacity up to 50cfs for 30 minutes.

ASTM D7351 - Determination Of Sediment Retention Device Effectiveness In Sheet Flow Applications

RELEVANT STANDARDS
ASTM D7351	Determination Of Sediment Retention Device Effectiveness In Sheet Flow Applications

Default storm: 10-year, 6-hour event (mid-Atlantic region, US)
100 mm (4 in) rainfall assumption
25% peak rainfall in 30 minutes
50% infiltration into ground
Theoretical contributory area: 30 m (100 ft) slope length by 6 m (20 ft) wide
Runoff and sediment calculated using Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE)

Additional Large-Scale Tests

OTHER TESTS

Vegetated RECP shear testing in 20% channels in accordance with ASTM D6460
SRD effectiveness in inlet flow applications (D7351-modified)
Storm water inlet protection provided by sediment retention devices in curb and gutter applications
Pond skimmer evaluations and flow capacities (ASTM D8107)
Buried pipe and stormwater chamber strength/durability evaluations
Large-scale germination and functional longevity testing of erosion control products.

All Tests with Standars

American Standards for Testing Materials (ASTM Std.)	Property	Test Type	Accrediting Organization
D4751	Apparent Opening Size, AOS	Index	Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute (GAI)
D586	Ash Content	Index	–
–	Biodegradation of RECPs (ECTC Std)	Index	–
D6454	Compression Strength	Index	GAI
D1505	Density / Specific Gravity	Index	GAI
D6567	Light Penetration / Percent Shading	Index	GAI
–	Lignin Content (TAPPI TM T222 om-98)	Index	–
D5261	Mass per Unit Area – Geotextiles	Index	GAI
D6475	Mass per Unit Area – ECB	Index	GAI
D6566	Mass per Unit Area – TRM	Index	GAI
D2974	Organic Matter	Index	–
–	Percent Open Area	Index	–
D4491	Permittivity	Index	GAI
D6524	Resiliency	Index	GAI
–	Smolder Resistance (ECTC-TASC 001)	Index	–
D6575	Stiffness	Index	GAI
–	Swell Index (ECTC-TASC 001)	Index	–
D6818	Tensile Properties – Strip Tensile	Index	GAI
D4595	Tensile Properties – Wide Width Tensile	Index	GAI
D 5199	Thickness – Geotextiles	Index	GAI
D6525	Thickness – TRMs	Index	GAI
–	Water Absorption (ASTM D1117 / ECTC)	Index	–
D4355	UV Resistance / Degradation Rate	Index	GAI
D5141	SRD: Filtration Efficiency & Flow	Bench-scale	GAI
–	SRD: Horizontal Permeability	Bench-scale	–
D7101	RECP & HECP: RainSplash & Runoff Erosion	Bench-scale	GAI
D7207	RECP: Hydraulic Shear	Bench-scale	GAI
D7322	RECP & HECP: Germination Enhancement	Bench-scale	GAI
D6459	RECP & HECP – Slope Performance	Large-scale	GAI
D6460	RECP – Channel Performance	Large-scale	GAI
D7351	SRD: Toe-of-Slope Performance	Large-scale	GAI
D7351 modified	SRD: Inlet Protection Performance	Large-scale	–
D7208	SRD: Channel Check Structure Performance	Large-scale	–
TM11340	SRD: Perimeter Device Performance	Large-scale	–

HISTORY

In 1994, the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC), an organization of rolled erosion control product (RECP), hydraulically applied erosion control product (HECP), and sediment retention fiber roll (SRFR) manufacturers commissioned TRI Environmental to initiate a program to identify and establish a common terminology and to develop standardized index tests for the characterization of RECPs. In January 1997, a manual of common terminology and recommended index testing standards (ECTC Technical Guidance Manual: TASC 00197) was issued to the industry.

Subsequent to these development efforts, TRI has played a leadership role in coordinated efforts to work through the ASTM International development process to achieve consensus standardization of index, bench-scale, and large-scale test procedures for characterizing a wide range of erosion control products and sediment retention devices.

Erosion Control: Forms & Documents

When submitting samples please download and complete the Chain of Custody/Test Request form. Please have a copy of the COC accompany the sample(s) to the laboratory so that work can be initiated upon receipt with the correct project name, sample identifications, assigned tests, and relevant details in place.

Questions about sample submission? Email JeSprague@tri-env.com or Call 864-569-6888.

James E. (Jay) Sprague

Laboratory Director

James Sprague, TRI’s Field Lab Director provides operational management of TRI’s erosion and sediment control index and bench-scale testing efforts, and provides direction to site technicians on site operations and testing protocol.