NEOWEB

CHANNEL
PROTECTION

April 2009
Ver. 4.1

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

2008-9 Copyright PRS. Certain products and/or applications described or illustrated are protected under
international patents. Final suitability of any information or material for use and its manner of use is the sole
responsibility of the authorized user. PRS confidential and proprietary.

Contents
NEOWEB Cellular Confinement System CHANNEL PROTECTION SYSTEM OVERVIEW .........................3
FOREWORD............................................................................................................................................ 3
SCOPE OF THIS DOCUMENT .................................................................................................................. 3
PRS ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION TO CHANNEL PROTECTION ......................................................................................... 4
COMBINED SOLUTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 4
DURABILITY ............................................................................................................................................ 5
REDUCED PROJECT REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 5
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION ....................................................................................................................... 5
EXAMPLES OF NEOWEB SOLUTIONS ..................................................................................................... 6
SIDE-SLOPE CHANNEL PROTECTION.........................................................................................................7
Neoweb Protection for channel side-slopes ......................................................................................... 7
TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL PROTECTION .....................................................................................................8
Stable protection for both side-slopes and channel bed ...................................................................... 8
STEEP SIDE-SLOPES CHANNEL ..................................................................................................................9
Protection for side-slopes/channel bed + earth retention for stability of steep side-slopes ............... 9
CHANNEL PROTECTION DESIGN FACTORS .............................................................................................10

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NEOWEB Cellular Confinement System

CHANNEL PROTECTION SYSTEM OVERVIEW
FOREWORD
The Neoweb System is a soil confinement, stabilization and reinforcement solution developed,
manufactured and marketed by PRS, comprised of three-dimensional, perforated and textured
honeycombed geocells. Neoweb can be applied to a wide range of channel protection applications
subject to surface erosion, unstable slopes and hydraulic forces.

SCOPE OF THIS DOCUMENT

This document describes and illustrates typical natural and man-made hydraulic open channel
protection strategies available from PRS. These depend on the surface protection type
soil/vegetation or non-erodible infill (hard or rigid armor) and the channel geometry and hydraulic
forces.

PRS
PRS is the worlds leading supplier of cost-effective soil stabilization solutions. Combining unique
proprietary technology with specialized engineering expertise, PRS delivers proven field-tested and
reliable solutions for load support, slope and channel protection, earth stabilization and landfills and
reservoirs. With a global network of regional offices and local distributors, PRS provides a full range
of end-to-end support services. Since its establishment in 1996, PRS has implemented hundreds of
successful projects in over 45 countries worldwide.

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INTRODUCTION TO CHANNEL PROTECTION

The Neoweb Channel Protection Systems is the most advanced three-dimensional cover protection
system against channel, stream and shoreline erosion caused by flowing water. The threedimensional Neoweb confinement enhances the performance of conventional erosion protection
materials and provides a long-term durable solution.
Channel protection systems can be divided into two types according to their surface treatment:
Erodible Channel with soil/vegetation infill protection
Non-erodible Channel with concrete infill protection
The infill type is determined based on the channel's hydraulics and the design of the Neoweb
protection system, depending on the following conditions:
Channel Geometry trapezoidal, side-slope, parabolic, etc.
Hydraulic Stresses flow velocity, water level, discharge
Downstream flow creates driving forces on the channel protection system, e.g., tractive and uplift
forces, depending upon the flow velocities. Static down-slope forces imposed on side-slopes are also
a factor due to the weight of the
protection system.
Bank stabilization is maximized by the
Neoweb protection layer combined with
anchorage systems. Under turbulent/
supercritical flow, downslope tendons
may be combined with specialized
anchors to bind the system to the native
soil.

COMBINED SOLUTIONS
Solutions for a given channel are typically comprised of several different surface treatments due to
changes in the hydraulic, site and environmental conditions along the water course as well as for
cost-efficiencies. For example, a typical channel might include:
Neoweb with hard concrete infill on the trapezoidal channel bed (subgrade cover);
Neoweb with soil and vegetated slope infill to protect banks subject moderate hydraulic
forces (e.g. above normal water level)
Neoweb retaining walls with aggregate infill in sections with high flow velocities or steep
slopes

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DURABILITY
Neoweb is comprised of advanced polymeric alloys that make the cellular confinement system stiff,
flexible and durable. In particular the Neoweb patent-pending alloys feature long term dimensional
stability, high long term design strength (creep resistance) and low reduction factors. This translates
to a longer life-span for Neoweb channel protection structures. Neoweb is non-degradable, and
resistant to weathering, extreme temperatures and water, which can affect concrete, steel and
timber solutions.

REDUCED PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Due to the superior reinforcement of Neoweb, channel projects require less infill material and can
substitute lower quality infill without loss of long term design strength. This saves project costs
during the initial construction and the project life-time. Savings increases when concrete is used as
the infill, as the concrete thickness can be reduced or even replaced by other infill materials.
For example Neoweb can replace U-shaped designs for reinforced channels with trapezoidal designs,
thereby reducing the amount of concrete
needed by ~30%. As the Neoweb
honeycombed cells function as the forms
for pouring, the need to construct forms
is eliminated. Concrete can be poured in
one stage, making it easier, faster and
more uniform. When Neoweb is used in
channel retention walls, typically only the
outside fascia cells require concrete fill;
the inner walls cells can be filled with
local crushed stone, reducing concrete requirements even further. In fact the same Neoweb solution
can be utilized with different infill material (gravel or soil/vegetation) in sections with lower velocity
flows, to reduce project costs even further.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION
Neoweb is a best-available sustainable solution for long-term channel protection and erosion control
in stream banks and channels, particularly when integrated with revegetation schemes, improves the
site ecology, plant habitat and visual aesthetics. Perforations in Neoweb not only promote water
infiltration and limit the impact of hydrostatic forces. They also play a key role in soil protection by:

Preventing run-off and soil erosion

Preserving the soil structure
Enabling flow of water, nutrients and soil organisms

The perforations are also critical in promoting revegetation by providing an excellent growth stratum
for roots and plants, which is critical to the performance of the vegetated solution. This further
stabilizes the soil and slope, while facilitating the restoration of the vegetation and landscape.
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EXAMPLES OF NEOWEB SOLUTIONS

Water Treatment
Water transport systems
Sewage treatment conduits
Storm drainage channels
Energy Plants
Intake channels and outflows
Cooling water conduits
Stream protection
Stream quality and ecology
Bank (slope) erosion
Flood water containment
Reservoirs
Dam and pond spillways
Protection of hydraulic structures
Environmental protection
Silt and sediment control /diversions during construction activities
Pipeline and utility channel crossings
Marine
Port facilities and protection
Channel and shoreline structures
Canals

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SIDE-SLOPE CHANNEL PROTECTION

Neoweb Protection for channel side-slopes

SOLUTION

Erosion control system

Stable protection system against sliding, tractive and uplift forces
from water action

STABILITY

Side-slopes are stable at defined inclination and height

SURFACE COVER
INFILL

Topsoil + vegetation flow velocities ranging from

1.0-6.5 m/sec
Gravel flow velocities range 1.5-3.5 m/sec
Concrete flow velocities range 3.5-13.0 m/sec
Easily installed on any changing/curved geometry
Enables efficient confined drainage system

INCLINATIONS

Side-slopes normal inclination: 1:3 - 1:1 (18- 45)

ANCHORAGE

Metal stakes + Neo-Clip

FEATURES

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TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL PROTECTION

Stable protection for both side-slopes and channel bed

SOLUTION

Erosion control system

Stable protection system against sliding, tractive and uplift forces
from water action

STABILITY

Side-slopes are stable at defined inclination and height

SURFACE COVER
INFILL

Topsoil + vegetation flow velocities ranging from

1.0-6.5 m/sec
Gravel flow velocities range 1.5-3.5 m/sec
Concrete flow velocities range 3.5-13.0 m/sec
Easily installed on any changing/curved geometry
Enables efficient confined drainage system

INCLINATIONS

Side-slopes normal inclination: 1:3 - 1:1 (18- 45)

ANCHORAGE

Metal stakes + Neo-Clip

FEATURES

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STEEP SIDE-SLOPES CHANNEL

Protection for side-slopes/channel bed + earth retention for
stability of steep side-slopes

SOLUTION

STABILITY

SURFACE COVER
INFILL

Erosion control system

Stable protection system against sliding, tractive and uplift forces
from water action
Based on unstable native side-slopes at desired inclination and
height; retention is required
Topsoil + vegetation flow velocities ranging from
1.0-6.5 m/sec
Gravel flow velocities range 1.5-3.5 m/sec
Concrete flow velocities range 3.5-13.0 m/sec
Easily installed on any changing/curved geometry
Enables efficient confined drainage system

INCLINATIONS

Side-slopes normal inclination: 1:1.75 6:1 (30- 81)

ANCHORAGE

Metal stakes + Neo-Clip for channel bed

FEATURES

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CHANNEL PROTECTION DESIGN FACTORS

1. Subgrade properties angle of internal friction, cohesion, density
2. Channel geometry trapezoidal, site-slope, parabolic.
a. The geometry includes the vertical height and inclination of side-slopes, channel base
width and longitudinal/bed slope.
3. Hydraulics define and calculate the following:
a. Manning's coefficient, water level, flow unit density, hydraulic radius, flow velocity,
discharge, Froude Number (defines the flow type)
4. Surface cover infill Type of Neoweb and soil infill properties
a. For both side-slopes and channel bed
5. Geotextile separation layer for both side-slopes and channel bed
6. Resistance:
a. Design down-slope driving force calculate the weight of the Neoweb protection
system on channel's side-slopes
b. Calculate the down-slope interface resistance
c. Calculate the crest shoulder interface resistance
7. Down-slope anchorage system - Analyze system requirements:
a. Metal pin stake anchors: stake density per 1 sq m, stake length and diameter
b. Defining tendons to tighten the system, if required
8. Design Tractive Driving Forces Calculate the imposed forces on channel side-slopes and
bed.
9. Factors of safety examine the resistance of the Neoweb cover system combined with stake
anchors to provide the required factors of safety for both side-slopes and channel bed.
10. For erodible channel examine the infill stability retained in a three-dimensional retention
system, combined/not combined with vegetation.

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