Topic outline

  • Soil Bioengineering for Slope Stabilization

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Soil bioengineering for slope stabilization consists of using live, woody vegetative cuttings that will provide soil reinforcement and prevent surface erosion on slopes. The soil bioengineering techniques discussed in this course are generally appropriate for immediate protection of slopes against surface erosion, shallow mass wasting, cut and fill slope stabilization, earth embankment protection, and small gully repair treatment. The course discusses the attributes and limitations of various vegetative and structural components and contains recommendations about which approach is most appropriate for a given slope stabilization problem. Practical design considerations, construction techniques, and guidelines for the selection of appropriate materials, including plant species, are presented.

    Topics:

    • Vegetative and structural components of soil bioengineering systems
    • Soil bioengineering plant species
    • Plant tolerance
    • Basic principles and design considerations of soil bioengineering
    • Construction techniques and materials
    • Live staking
    • Live fascines
    • Brushlayers
    • Branchpacking
    • Live gully repair
    • Live cribwalls
    • Vegetated rock gabions
    • Vegetated rock walls
    • Joint plantings
    • Vegetated structures

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: for civil and geotechnical engineers concerned with issues of slope stabilization.
    Publication Source: USDA (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1