Effect of Geotechnical and Environmental Properties of Maryland Compost and Compost Amended Topsoils on Vegetation Establishment and Growth

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has been directed by the Maryland General Assembly to increase the use of compost in construction projects, and to develop specifications that involve compost as a component of compost logs, compost blankets and similar construction related to erosion and sediment control. However, MDOT SHA needs to better understand the potential risks to water quality from high nutrient content of different compost products. MDOT SHA also needs more experience using compost-based products for erosion and sediment control, and a better understanding of the engineering limits of compost blankets when installed on steep slopes or under concentrated water flow. Additional guidance related to effective seeding and soil stabilization in compost materials is also needed. This study will help address these needs and will provide MDOT SHA with knowledge to safely and effectively utilize compost products.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $399313
• Contract Numbers:

  SPR20B4B

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

  707 North Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Project Managers:

  Hawkins, Sharon

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Maryland, College Park

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  College Park, MD  United States  20742
• Principal Investigators:

  Aydilek, Ahmet

• Start Date: 20191017
• Expected Completion Date: 20220429
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compost; Erosion control; Sediment discharge; Seeding; Soil stabilization; Specifications; Vegetation; Water quality
• Geographic Terms: Maryland
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01742742
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maryland State Highway Administration
• Contract Numbers: SPR20B4B
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 19 2020 1:46PM