For over 50 years, CSU has been a leader in the erosion control industry. Our professional staff has over 100 years combined experience in erosion control research including performance testing of vegetated and unvegetated erosion control products under channalized, overtopping, and pipe outlet conditions. CSU partners with a multitude of agencies and private companies to facilitate applied erosion control technology.
In coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers to investigate levee overtopping and failure after hurricane Katrina, vegetation was grown in CSU’s greenhouse facility in large testing trays. The vegetation was then tested to simulate overtopping waves similar to those in a large hurricane. Performance was based on the ability of the vegetation to withstand erosion and ultimately failure of the levee. Check out the News and Media page to learn more about this project.
Several configurations of rock gabion mattresses were tested to evaluate performance under a variety of flow conditions. Performance was evaluated on the condition of rock gabions post-test, as well as the condition of the underlying soil according to ASTM-D6460 standards.
Various RECP products have been tested to determine marketable shear stress and velocity specifications in accordance with ASTM D-6460. We have recently worked with several companies to evaluate alternative installation techniques to increase performance.
Articulated Concrete Blocks (ACBs) have been one of Dr. Thornton’s focuses for nearly the past 25 years. CSU’s steep overtopping facility is perfectly suited to test and develop a wide range of ACB systems under a wide range of hydraulic applications.
