Stability and Erosion in Grassed Channels

Abstract

Grass is a cost-effective form of erosion control. Since grass prevents erosion, the relationship between grass properties and erosion rate in grassed open channels is highlighted and analyzed within the context of channel stability. The deformation of grass caused by the flow’s momentum has been taken into consideration. Results are in good agreement with the available experimental erosion rate data for grassed channels. The purpose of this paper is to show that the amount of deformation of a grass channel lining due to flow can be used to estimate the erosion rate, and, as a result, lining deformation can be used as an indicator of channel stability. The method is simple enough to be useful for design.