The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is often restricted from using hard structures, such as riprap or concrete-lined channels, for streambank erosion control because of environmental reasons or high cost. Bioengineering is the combination of biological, mechanical, and ecological concepts to control erosion and stabilize soil through the use of vegetation or a combination of it and construction materials. This study provides guidelines for using bioengineering treatments in a prudent manner.

"Bio-Stabilization Case Studies: Treatment and Performance Evaluation" describes and evaluates 30 projects from across the United States where bio-stabilization was employed to address a detrimental naturally occurring process or byproduct of the built environment. Bio-stabilization (or soil bioengineering) refers to the use of plant materials, primarily live cuttings, arranged in the ground in different arrays to reinforce soils and protect upland slopes and/or stream banks against surficial erosion and shallow slope failures. Examples included in the collection represent different regions of the country and their specific conditions and challenges. Each project is illustrated with a number of distinctive photographs to support the reader's understanding and showcase the wide scope of projects and techniques presented. The volume is ideal for civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists working on watershed, infrastructure projects, and municipal scale installations.

The first comprehensive, practical guide to the selection,construction, and installation of soil bioengineering andbiotechnical slope protection Here is the ultimate guide to physically attractive,environmentally compatible, and cost-effective methods ofprotecting slopes from erosion and mass wasting. Lavishlyillustrated with more than 150 photographs and supplemented withscores of charts and tables, this book covers the entire subjectfrom general principles and background on the nature of soilerosion and mass movement to detailed information on rootstrengths, treatment selection, unit costs, critical tractivestresses, methods for harvesting and handling live cuttings, andmore. Four illustrated case studies, each addressing a different set ofproblems and solutions, demonstrate both the application ofparticular technologies and the site investigation, planning,scheduling, and organization required to complete these projectssuccessfully. This unique reference handbook * Reviews the horticultural and engineering underpinnings forbiotechnical and soil engineering treatments * Documents and explains the role of woody plants in stabilizingslopes against both surficial erosion and mass movement * Provides details on a broad range of soil bioengineering methods,including live staking, live fascines, brushlayering, live cribwalls, branchpacking, and live slope gratings * Describes various biotechnical methods and materials, includingthe incorporation of vegetation in erosion control blankets,flexible mats, cellular revetments (geocells), rock armor (riprap), and gabion and open-front crib walls * Summarizes the findings of the National ScienceFoundation-sponsored workshop to assess the state of the art anddetermine research needs For practicing professionals, researchers, and students ingeotechnical engineering, geology, soil science, forestry andforest engineering, landscape architecture, environmentalhorticulture, and restoration ecology, this book offers thorough,up-to-date coverage that is not available from any other singlesource.