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Landlok 450 provides Slope Stabilization in Mandeville

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When Courtney Dickerson, PE, a project manager at Principal Engineering, Inc. first saw the project summary for slope stabilization at Mariner’s Village in Mandeville, she knew the steep embankment at the ditch running behind the property was going to be a challenge.

She also knew just the solution, and that’s when she specified Landlok 450.

“The product is a good one,” says Dickerson. “It’s ideal for steep banks like this one, it helps reinforce slopes and provides for soil stabilization.”

South Louisiana’s residents are well aware of flood control measures and levee construction projects, but most people are not as knowledgable about a common problem municipalities and businesses deal with on a regular basis — erosion control on canal banks, retaining walls and ditches.

Canals and ditches criss cross the Louisiana landscape. Many motorists drive over dozens of these structures each day without much thought given to the water flowing through them, or to the engineering and engineered products that keep these critical pieces of infrastructure from failing.

Landlok® TRM 450 is one such product.

Landlok turf reinforcement mats are produced by Propex. The mats are effective as soon as they’re installed, providing superior erosion control protection, to slopes, canal and ditch embankments.

Propex turf reinforcement systems protect soil from erosion with a unique and flexible three-dimensional matrix that retains grass seeds and soil. The product is green, in that it stimulates rapid germination, and actually meshes with developing plant roots to permanently anchor the Landlok biotechnical composite to the soil surface.

In the case of Mariner’s Village, a city storm water ditch runs behind a portion of the property. The slopes of this ditch are steep, and effective water flow had become a problem due to soil erosion. Principal Engineering designed the project, and Stranco, LLC of Abita Springs was called on for construction.

“The soil stabilization portion of this went very smoothly,” says Dickerson. “I think the construction company turned things around quickly. We expect to see grass popping up soon.”

Stranco, LLC shifted the channel, created and graded the new slope, and installed more than 400 linear feet (1,900 sq. yds.) of Landlok on the ditch banks.

“We had this job turned around in good time,” says Johnny Robertson, Construction Project Manager at Stranco. “From start to finish, we probably completed the work in just under three weeks.”

Robertson has more than 35 years experience in civil construction, and is a leader in environmental remediation and solutions. He, too, says using Landlok was a smart decision.

“One of these banks is pretty steep. We knew we had an erosion problem back here, after all, that’s why we’re on the job.” he said. “It took only three men to put down more than 1,900 yards of the Landlok geosynthetic. You can see it’s holding already. This is a good product to use. It makes a difference.”

The difference with Landlok is that it’s easy to install. It’s lightweight, and its web of green fibers provides superior protection through increased ground coverage. The use of Landlok provides the City of Mandeville with the slope protection it needs. The product also helps encourage growth and establishes long-term reinforcement of the vegetation.

Most importantly, it’s a cost savings over the placement of rock riprap or concrete slope paving, and it’s aesthetically pleasing even when it’s first laid down, and awaiting seed germination.

For more information about Landlok and all Propex geosynthetics, call QSM 504-469-2015. We will help you select the right product for your next job.

Visit the Propex website and download product data sheets on Propex turf reinforcement mats.