5.1 This test method evaluates RECPs and their means of installation to:

5.1.1 Reduce soil loss and sediment concentrations in stormwater runoff under conditions of varying rainfall intensity and soil type, and;

5.1.2 Improve water quality exiting the area disturbed by earthwork activity by reducing suspended solids.

5.2 This test method models and examines conditions typically found on construction sites involving earthwork activities including: highway and roads; airports; residential, commercial and industrial developments; pipelines, mines, and landfills; golf courses; etc.

5.3 This test method is a performance test, but can be used for quality control to determine product conformance to project specifications. Caution is advised since information regarding laboratory specific precision is incomplete. For project specific conformance, unique project-specific conditions should be taken into consideration.

Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspections/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This test method covers the guidelines, requirements and procedures for evaluating the ability of Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) to protect hillslopes from rainfall-induced erosion. Critical elements of this protection are the ability of the RECP to:

1.1.1 Absorb the impact force of raindrops, thereby reducing soil particle loosening through “splash” mechanisms;

1.1.2 Slow runoff and encourage infiltration, thereby reducing soil particle displacement and transport through “overland flow” mechanisms;

1.1.3 Absorb shear forces of overland flow; and,

1.1.4 Trap soil particles beneath.

1.2 This test method utilizes full-scale testing procedures, rather than reduced-scale (bench-scale) simulation, and is patterned after conditions typically found on construction sites at the conclusion of earthwork operations, but prior to the start of revegetation work. Therefore this considers only unvegetated conditions.

1.3 This test method provides a comparative evaluation of an RECP-to baseline bare soil conditions under controlled and documented conditions.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard.

1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user's objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical methods for engineering design.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Also, the user must comply with prevalent regulatory codes, such as OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) guidelines, while using the test method.