The use of vetivers in coastal engineering

The use of vetivers in coastal engineering

Verhagen, H.J.
Jaspers Focks, D.J.
Algera, A.
Vu, M.A.

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Hydraulic Engineering

2008-01-01

Vetiver grass is a sustainable and innovative solution for the protection of banks. It is shown that Vetiver grass is able to establish a full-stop of bank erosion caused by rapid drawdown. Therefore it provides us with strong indications that it is highly suitable as an anti-erosion measure. A combination of cohesive soil and Vetiver grass provides the best protection against erosion, which implies that it is highly suitable for banks in delta areas, which consist pre-dominantly of cohesive soil. A single hedge of Vetiver grass planted on the outer slope of a dike can reduce the wave run-up volume by 55%, in contrary with sod-forming grasses that give no reduction. Planting multiple hedges along the contour of the outer slope might result in even more reduction. The application of Vetiver grass on existing dikes may provide a substantial reinforcement of these dikes. The advantages of Vetiver grass above conventional methods with the use of stone are numerous: · Vetiver grass is sustainable. Vetiver hedges of over 100 years old have been found. Vetiver grass is not invasive and no significant diseases are known. Vetiver grass will, in contrary with traditional methods, increase in strength in time. · Vetiver grass is an economic attractive solution. In most countries in South-East Asia Vetiver grass can be planted for less than $ 3 per meter, while solutions consisting of stone and concrete are expensive in delta areas. Vetiver grass allows people to protect their own property. Since the costs are low and it is easy to use local initiatives can be easily achieved.

vetiver
bank protection
grass
dikes
revetments

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Copedec

Proceedings of the International Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries, COPEDEC VII, 2008, Dubai

Institutional Repository

conference paper

© 2008 TU Delft