PROTECTING AN EXPOSED GAS PIPE ON RIVER AVON WITH AQUAROCKBAG

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The gas pipe at River Avon in UK supplies to 80,000 residential homes and businesses. Severe bank erosion and scour had created a 5m deep pool, which left the main high pressure gas pipe exposed to risk of collision from boats navigating in the area. A resilient solution was required to protect the exposed gas pipe.

OUR SOLUTION

 Due to the ecological sensitivity of the site, the use of AquaRockBag was favoured over traditional hard-engineered riverbank solutions. Installing hard revetments such as block stones would direct the erosion further downstream, whereas AquaRockBag reduces the current by absorbing water energy.

Filling the deep pools with AquaRockBag was simple using an attached single point lifting eye and quick hitch. AquaRockBag, filled with small stones and stacked up 9 layers deep, was covered with soil to form a gradual headland. This allowed for vegetation to fully integrate into the natural riverbank, preventing erosion in the riverbed and offering adequate protection to the gas pipe.

PRODUCT USED

AquaRockBag®

• A durable mesh net made from premium virgin HDPE or polyester materials
• Design of the bag facilitates the establishment of plant life on and around the bags, creating a natural habitat for aquatic ecosystems over a short period of time
• Offers minimal environmental impact during installation to preserve the natural habitat and reduces the risk of secondary environmental damage
• Lower projects costs with a flexible net structure that adapts well to uneven surfaces, eliminating the need for ground preparation works
• Adaptable to various site conditions and can be reused in different projects, allowing for easy reconfiguration and relocation
• Net offers excellent anti-abrasion properties and high UV resistance
• The net can be filled on-site using a portable filling frame and machinery, which makes installation quick and easy