Controlling the Growth Rate of Gullies Using Lime Saturated Solution

Abstract

Gully erosion is an important and major process of land destruction and is considered one of the most important sources of erosion and sediment production in the country. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of saturated lime solution (SLS) in reducing the growth rate of gullies. After locating two active gullies with similar physiographic and soil characteristics in one of the gully areas of Tehran province and recording the physiographic and soil characteristics, one was considered as a control and the other as a treatment. The effect of volume of SLS and curing time in improving the uniaxial strength of gully soil was investigated and tested. To inject SLS, a strip pond was created around the gully and the optimal volume of SLS was discharged on the surface of the pond. Then, in six-month periods, the length and volume growth of gullies were measured and the results were compared with each other. The results of the effect of the volume of SLS on the uniaxial strength of gully soil during constant curing time showed that the maximum increase in soil strength by 420% of the control sample was obtained by injecting 40 times the volume of soil porosity. The results of the study of the effect of curing time on the soil strength showed the maximum increase in the 60-day curing period and as much as 400%. Also, the stabilized gully had a 58% decrease in longitudinal growth and an 83% decrease in volume growth.

Keywords

• erosion
• porosity
• stabilization
• strength