Reinforced earthwork embankments for a watercourse realignment
Kilnwood Vale, West Sussex, UK, required the realignment of Bewbush Brook with surface water attenuation ponds. The former landfill channel required erosion control, stable embankments using site-won materials, low permeability and two road embankments, making geosynthetics essential.
Project background
Kilnwood Vale, a large residential development in West Sussex, UK, required the realignment of Bewbush Brook to integrate it with surface water attenuation ponds. The existing steep-sided channel had been originally reconfigured in the 1970s and 80s as part of landfill operations, necessitating a new, permanent realignment. The project-specified erosion control at bends, stable embankments using site-won materials, and low hydraulic permeability to manage fluctuating water levels. Additionally, two earthwork embankments were needed for road crossings over the brook. Given the steep slopes and material reuse requirements, a geosynthetic solution was essential.
Smart geosynthetics for lasting performance
Consulting engineers Campbell Reith collaborated with Naue to develop a reinforced earthwork solution using three key geosynthetic products:
- Secumat® 401 G4: Installed at bends to provide permanent erosion control. This three-dimensional erosion control mat stabilizes soil and supports vegetation growth, ensuring long-term stability.
- Secudrain® 131 C WD 401 131 C: Used within the embankments to dissipate excess water and prevent structural damage. This geocomposite provides efficient drainage and separation, replacing conventional thick gravel drainage layers.
- Secugrid® 80/20 R6: Reinforced the steep-sided embankments, allowing stable slopes using site-won material. The high-strength geogrid ensures structural integrity by reinforcing each fill layer, with approximately 20,000m² used across the project.
Reusing site-won material
The project prioritized solutions maximizing material reuse and minimizing resource consumption:
- Use of site-won materials: Avoided the need for imported fill.
- Erosion control with vegetation support: Solutions for long-term stability. Secumat® 401 G4 promotes natural plant growth, ensuring long-term slope stability without additional hard engineering solutions.
- Efficient drainage: Water management at its best. Secudrain® replaced conventional gravel layers, reducing excavation and transportation impacts while maintaining high water discharge capacity.
- Optimized material usage: Stronger embankments with fewer resources. Secugrid® enabled steep, stable embankments with minimal material input, reducing overall resource demand.
By integrating Naue’s geosynthetics, the Bewbush Brook realignment combined stable, reinforced embankments with vegetated banks along the new watercourse. The use of site-won materials and efficient engineering solutions lowers costs and supports long-term infrastructure durability.
Project benefits
Stable slopes with less material
Secugrid® enabled steep, reinforced embankments using site-won soil, reducing the need for imported fill.
Long-term erosion control
Secumat® stabilised the watercourse bends and supported vegetation growth without additional hard-engineering measures.
Project information
- Project name
Bewbush Brook Realignment, Crawley, West Sussex, UK
- Client
Crest Nicholson, UK - Designer / consultant
Campbell Reith, UK - Contractor / installer
Dunton Environmental, UK
- Products
Secumat® 401 G4
Secudrain® 131 C WD 401 131 C
Secugrid® 80/20 R6
No. 01060
Related applications
Featured products
Product detailsSecumat®
Naue Secumat® is an erosion control mat for the protection of slopes, channels and embankments.
Product detailsSecudrain®
Naue Secudrain® is a geosynthetic drainage geocomposite for landfill, groundwater protection and building structures.
Product detailsSecugrid®
Naue Secugrid® geogrid stabilises and reinforces roads, embankments, working platforms, slopes and walls.