HW A1

Specialized field Jet erosion test apparatus designed & fabricated to evaluate the efficacy of adopted technique in controlling soil erosion
Proposed methodology of solution to the betterment of farmers cultivating in sloping ground and people who are facing the landslide issue.
Poster explaining the project with findings in preliminary study
Schematic of vetiver roots penetration across the failure surface of landslides
Digital Elevation model of study area before the stabilization
Sampling of 15 days old vetiver with soil for laboratory testing

Adopting Bio-reinforcement Techniques for the Stabilization of Bench Terraces and Irrigation Channels

What it does

The preliminary study adopted bio-reinforcement techniques to control the soil erosion and shallow landslips in agricultural fields and irrigation channels. This study reveals that erosion can be controlled by a bio-reinforcement technique using Vetiver grass is significant. It becomes an eco-friendly and economical solution for controlling soil erosion in agricultural fields. By protecting the top fertile soil from soil erosion caused by a heavy rainstorm, the crop can be increased tremendously.

How we built it

The vetiver grasses are planted at critical places which are endangered by soil erosion and shallow landslips. Then the growth has been monitored and periodical soil samples were collected and tested for shear strength improvement. The shear strength improvement helps to protect the soil mass from landslips. The in-situ jet erosion test also has been conducted at several sites to evaluate the effect of soil erosion control by Vetiver grass.

Accomplishment that we are proud off

The rural farmers who are cultivating in the sloping ground are facing the issue of soil erosion, and it results in loss of nutrients of soil which is present in the shallow surfaces. The loss of fertile soil due to soil erosion leads to a reduction in crop yield. Finally, it will severely affect the income of the farmers. By adopting this eco-friendly and economical solution, it was achieved that the conservation of fertile soil without the much financial burden, will increase the income of the farmers by getting more crop yield.

What next for HW A1

It is proposed that the plantation has to be extended to many agricultural fields, highways, and residential areas which are endangered by soil erosion and shallow landslips. The efficacy of this proposed method would be evaluated using geospatial techniques. The soil erosion control and ground surface deformation will be evaluated by comparing the GIS data downloaded prior to and after the bio-reinforcement. Further, the rural farmers and other people who are facing the issue have to be trained about this simple and feasible method of soil conservation. Awareness has to be given to all who face the landslide issue. It will enhance agriculture which is the primary sector of India.

It is planned to locate the landside and soil erosion-prone areas using Sentinal image and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from USGS earth explorer and processing of raw data can be done by an ArcGIS software program.

By creating a terrain model with topographical features, it can be compared that the ground surface deformation rate before and after the bio-reinforcement by Vetiver grasses.

Outcome of the project

The income of farmers can be enhanced by increasing crop yield. The fertile soil is being conserved by adopting this technique. Any rural farmers and other people who are facing the landslide and soil erosion issue can adopt this simple and feasible method. This method can be adopted to protect the landslips at Highways and residential areas where the failure surface of the slope is shallow. In such cases, retaining structures like gabion wall, retaining walls are not necessary since it is comparatively very high in cost.

Market opportunity

There is no specific apparatus developed for the in-situ soil erodibility test. In this project, the specialized in-situ jet erosion test apparatus has been designed, fabricated, and successfully used at several stabilized grounds.

This apparatus can be put up in the market which will be useful for the scientific society and research institutes working on soil erosion and landslide studies.