SILTspread: Performance-Based Approach for the Design and Installation of Silt Fence Sediment Barriers
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 10
Abstract
Construction operations are susceptible to high rates of rainfall-induced soil erosion due to the earth-disturbing nature of land-grading activities. Silt fence sediment barriers are a temporary sediment control practice comprising geotextile material supported by posts. Silt fence sediment barriers create containment systems to remove suspended soil particles by intercepting stormwater runoff and forming temporary impoundments. Most existing silt fence sediment barrier design guidance primarily relies on state design standards based on rules of thumb that lack scientific justification. Proper design and implementation of silt fence sediment barriers is critical and must consider site-specific factors such as topography, precipitation, soil type, and other site parameters. This technical paper describes a silt fence sediment barrier design and installation standard developed through a literature review of current state agency guidance and performance-based research. This study proposes a hydrologic design approach using local site conditions while accounting for detention volumes provided by silt fence sediment barrier installations. A streamlined hydrologic design approach and volumetric storage relationships were developed for three standard silt fence sediment barrier installation configurations (linear, J-hook, and C-shape). In addition, a user-friendly spreadsheet-based tool was developed to assist designers in calculating hydrologic and volumetric parameters, properly sizing silt fence sediment barrier segments, and estimating maintenance needs. A case study and recommendations for state agency implementation are included to demonstrate the application of the developed design approach.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code, including case studies and developed examples that support the findings of this study, are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 3, 2020
Accepted: Jun 1, 2021
Published online: Jul 20, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 20, 2021
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Cited by
- Jarrell Blake Whitman, Improving the Design and Performance of Double-Row Sediment Barriers Used During Highway Construction, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 10.1177/03611981221141899, (036119812211418), (2022).
- Jaime C. Schussler, Michael A. Perez, Wesley N. Donald, J. Blake Whitman, Wesley C. Zech, Xing Fang, Barry Fagan, Decade of Research in Review at the Auburn University Stormwater Research Facility, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 10.1177/03611981221076449, 2676, 5, (590-604), (2022).