ShoreMax Scour Protection Mat Receives Positive Testing Results

New product found to withstand high shear stresses and velocities in ASTM channel testing

In recent large-scale channel testing by the American Assn. of State Highway Transportation Officials’ National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (AASHTO-NTPEP), North American Green's new ShoreMax Soft Revetment Scour Protection Mat received positive results. As one of the newest additions to Tensar’s North American Green erosion control line, the ShoreMax Mat delivered unprecedented unvegetated results in NTPEP’s ASTM channel testing, withstanding shear stresses up to 8.6 lb per sq ft and velocities exceeding 19 ft per second. Tested with a Vmax3 P550 TRM underlayment, the unvegetated ShoreMax system exceeded the level of performance provided by many fully vegetated TRMs, the company reported.

According to Tensar, the ShoreMax Mat is ideal for boosting the scour resistance of TRMs, sod and geotextiles in areas subject to turbulent water flows and wave action. Shorelines, levees, spillways, storm water pipe transition zones and bridge abutments are just a few areas that often require greater scour protection than TRMs or other erosion control materials can provide. In the past, such severe applications required the use of hard armor materials such as rock riprap and articulating concrete blocks.

Today, the ShoreMax Mat provides an effective, yet greener and less expensive barrier to flow-induced scour. ShoreMax is a patent-pending, highly flexible UV-stabilized rubber mat with 1-in. voids that allow vegetation establishment through the mat or natural infilling of sediment. The mats, available in natural green and tan, are designed for use with a protective underlayment such as a TRM, sod, geotextile or in some cases an erosion control blanket. A single worker or small crew can quickly interlock and anchor multiple 3-ft-by-5-ft ShoreMax panels in critical areas where there is scour potential.

The ShoreMax Soft Revetment Scour Protection Mat is an affordable option for a wide range of scour protection projects, including:

• Shoreline protection along rivers, streams and lakes; • Boat docking areas; • High flow channel bottoms and bends; • Storm water pipe inlets and outlets; • Curb outfalls and downspouts; • Overflow structures like levees and spillways; and • Bridge abutments.

ShoreMax is available through North American Green’s nationwide network of authorized distributors.

Source: Tensar Corp.