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Recommendations for the Installation of
The Concrete Block Revetment (CBR) System

Overview:
The installation of a Concrete Block Revetment System (CBR) offers the owner or contractor a quick and cost effective solution to erosion control and/or soil stabilization.  Some of its many advantages and uses are; ease of installation, versatile applications, it allows vegetation to re-establish, a viable alternative when local resources are not available, the option to immediately drive on the mat, re-usability for temporary applications and cost

   

 

The 16 X 8 X 4.5” mats can be delivered to the jobsite by either a conventional flatbed trailer or boom truck.  When possible, the CBR mats should be placed directly from the delivery truck to the prepared foundation to minimize handling and maximize installation efficiency.

CBR Delivery
 

The following guidelines are provided for general use, it is incumbent upon the installer to assure that specific contract specifications and provisions are also being complied with. Where there is a conflict between these guidelines and the contract specifications, the installer shall seek written clarification from the proper authority before proceeding.

Subgrade Preparation:
The Concrete Block Revetment (CBR) shall be placed on the slopes, sides and bottoms of channels in substantial compliance with the specifications and at the locations shown on the plans or established by the Owner.

Unless otherwise provided, moisture and density control will not be required for the surface upon which the CBR will be placed and only moderate equipment compaction is expected.

The ground foundation upon which the CBR is to be placed shall be cut or filled and graded in accordance with the details shown in the contract or established by the Owner. Obstructions that may interfere with the installation shall be removed and foundation voids shall be filled with material approved by the owner. The ground shall be contoured so that sudden or sharp variations in contour are eliminated. When embankment material is required it shall consist of materials approved by the owner.  When the application is expected to experience traffic loading, further engineering may be required for the specific application to assure the structural integrity of the installation.

The CBR shall be placed so that the weight is carried by the slope material and not by the adjoining blocks. CBR shall be placed to form a continuous blanket. The finished surface of CBR will follow the finished foundation grade, so every effort should be made to ensure a uniform foundation. The Owner shall approve the condition of the completed ground surface foundation prior to the placement of the CBR.

Installation:
It is recommended that the contractor have a technician provided by Erosion Block Supply experienced in the installation of the CBR at the start of an installation to assist in any special techniques needed to assure a proper installation.

 

 

Installation of CBR with spreader bar
The Concrete Block Mats shall only be lifted by the use of a spreader bar provided by Eroson Block Supply or one approved by the manufacturer of the CBR system.
   

On Pipe Culvert, Concrete Box and Flume locations the installation will be per the recommendations contained here unless otherwise shown on construction drawings.

Where CBR is used as an alternative for Riprap, the same details for elevations and contours as shown for Riprap will be utilized for the CBR.

A layer of geotextile filter fabric shall be placed at the interface between all slope and erosion protection structures and the supporting soil or backfill material, or placed as shown in the contract.

The geotextile fabric shall be laid from the downstream end of project to the upstream end, perpendicular to the major direction of flow so that the geotextile joints are shingled to direct flow over the joint and also to prevent undermining. Intimate contact with the subsurface is critical to the systems performance in the field.

A minimum fabric overlap of 2 feet shall be used.  More overlap may be required depending on conditions and the geotextile manufacturer's recommendations may prevail as determined by the owner.

 

The CBR mats should be fitted together to achieve a uniform appearance with no gaps greater than 2 inches. The lower foundation courses, or the edges of the mat can be entrenched or an apron can be incorporated depending on the individual project design engineer's recommendations to help prevent scouring below the perimeter rows of block.
CBR Spacing
 
CBR Anchoring

It is recommended that the CBR mats be anchored whenever possible. The anchoring of the CBR mats provides for additional assurance that the erosion protection system will remain in place. The recommended anchor is EBS Item #02 as shown on the attached drawing (3 of 4) driven to 1-3"” below the top of the blocks. A row of anchors at eight foot centers across the upstream edge, eight foot centers around the perimeter and on a grid layout of eight foot centers in the interior area should be installed.

  
Please refer to the attached detail drawings (DWG 2 of 4) for the anchor spacing details. A minimal slack in the driven anchor cable when it is attached to the loops of the mat is intended.

 

For mat to mat installations, steel cable clamps (malleable wire rope clips) should be placed on each cable loop as shown on the shop drawings provided (DWG 2 of 4). Contact Erosion Block Supply upon ordering to assist in determining the quantity needed.

The voids in the blocks can be filled with, native soil, mulch, grout, gravel, etc. If filled with soil and seeded, the growth of vegetation between the blocks increases the stability of the system and improves the aesthetics. The mat system will allow moisture to traverse back and forth from the foundation material to the vegetation. The mat system will lend support and an even grade for maintenance vehicles (mowers) to traverse over it. Any surface application should not be placed prior to the inspection of the system's clamping and anchoring.

The manufacturer recommends that when mats are utilized for constant submersion (such as boat loading ramps) a stainless steel cable be utilized for this type of application.  The use of a stainless steel cable is a special order item and can be manufactured with sufficient notice at a nominal price increase.

For more information concerning installation please refer to FHWA-HEC #11 which provides additional guidance for proper use of precast block revetments, including proper bank preparation, toe design, bedding guidelines, and surface treatments.

The complete FHWA document is available at:

http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/FHWA/009881.pdf

 

For further assistance, please contact Erosion Block Supply, Inc.

email: rusty@erosionblock.com

Telephone - 505.869.2440