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Bridges

Bridges (including culverts)

Introductory photo Essay VS_Bridge_Approach.pdf (vetiver.org)

The interface of soil, concrete and water is always a point of structural weakness unless the soil is protected and stabilized. This is particularly the case with the intersection of roads bridges, culverts, and other concrete structures when associated with rivers, drains in canals.   VGT provides an excellent solution to assure that bridge apartments do not wash away.

Vetiver has deep, penetrating and extensive root system that binds the soil, and reinforces the soil structure which requires extraordinary force to dislodge.

• Erect and stiff stems forming a dense hedge which is very effective in retarding water flow and reducing the erosive power of the strong current.

• The top portion of the vetiver plant is flexible and bends over under strong flow. The bent tops act as an energy dissipater.

Bridging the Gap in Kenya – Peace Bridge – KEN_Vetiver – peace bridge.pdf

Photo 1 The new community suspension bridge across the Nzoia River, Kenya was put at risk because of river bank erosion (left 2018), it was stabilized with vetiver (right 2019). The bridge butress is now considered secure
Photo 2 Same site on at the Peace Bridge with the Nzoia River in flood and the Bridge footing and riverbank protected by vetiver. It looks as though erosion is occurring downstream of the bridge where vetiver was not planted
Photo 3 Doria Bridge approach (Assam, India) stabilized with vetiver. Designed and supervised by Shantanoo Bhattacharryia
Photo 4 Doria Bridge approach (Assam, India) . Two years later local native species taking advantage of vetiver . Some vetiver (red arrow) grows where natives cannot.