Vegetated Geogrids

Soil BioengineeringApproachConstruction CostSoft Hard Low HighMaintenance CostAdaptabilityLow High Low HighDescriptionSoil bioengineering is a generic term thatlike “Living Shorelines” can be used torefer to a variety of the approachesdiscussed within this document. Soilbioengineering refers to the concept ofutilizing vegetation to stabilize the soilalong the banks of a stream. Thevegetation itself provides immediateprotection and as the root systemsdevelop, they bind the soil more tightlycreating a resistance to sliding or shear.Soil bioengineering projects can alsoinclude structural components ifadditional bank protection is required.Examples of soil bioengineeringapproaches discussed in more detail inthis document include: brush mattresses,live stakes, joint plantings, vegetatedgeogrids, branchpacking, and livefascines.Design and ConstructionThe applicability of the soilbioengineering approach will depend onthe intensity of the erosional forces.Live vegetation has a limited ability towithstand both current induced shearstresses (Fischenrich, 2001 suggestsvelocities of