Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Quick answers to some questions you may have about Erosion Control Mats
Can you use Australian Concrete Erosion Mats on dam spillways and overflows?
Yes, they are frequently used on rural dam spillways. They work as a permeable hard armour barrier. They are more secure and stable than Rip Rap or vegetation. When installing we recommend you dig in the leading edges and make sure the concrete mats are secured properly.
How do you install Australian Concrete Erosion Mats?
Five simple steps.
Step 1 – Shape the soil to form your drain or project.
Step 2 – Lift the mats into place
Step 3 – Cut the straps and unroll using the excavator bucket
Step 4 – Pin the mats down with UBar Anchors.
Step 5 – Seed over or under the mats and cover with topsoil.
Can the concrete shapes fall off?
No, the concrete shapes cannot fall of the Geogrid. The concrete is a 40Mpa Concrete mix, this is wrapped around and through the geogrid material. It is imbedded into the material about 15mm.
What is the water flow rate that Australian Concrete mats can withstand?
The water flow rate can be seen in our specifications with the test results undertaken by the University of New South Wales Water Laboratory.
Where are Australian Concrete Mats headquarters?
Australian Concrete Mats headquarters are located at 354 Broadwater Road, Dungarubba, New South Wales 2480 Australia
Who is Australian Concrete Mats owned by?
Australian Concrete Mats is owned by business partners, Richard Mould and Alan Theron. Who started the business to resolve their own erosion issues on their own farms.
How many employees are working in Australian Concrete Mats?
Presently the company has 15 staff members and continually expanding as the company grows.
Where are Australian Concrete Mats used?
The Flexible Concrete Mats are being used in many different situations. We are continually educated by our customers about is flexibility. The projects range from swale drains, bridge abutments, drainage channels, canals, creek, rivers and embankments, Department of Transportation, driveable surfaces, hard-stand surfaces, shallow creek bed crossings, drain inlets and outlets, shorelines, landfills, livestock trough stands, feedlots.
How long are the mats?
The mats are made 2.4m wide. We can make them any length you require. We find that most customers can only handle a maximum length of 15m long.
How much do the mats weigh?
The Flexible Concrete Erosion Mats weigh 45kg per m2.
Every linear meter at 2.4m wide weighs 108kg.
Can I get more specifications about the Mats?
We have the specifications on the web Page. If required Australian Concrete Mats can get your more specific information.
What is the maximum slope the Flexible Concrete Mats can handle?
The mats can handle slopes up to 60 degrees. The main issue is not the mats handling the slope. The issue becomes how well anchored are the mats at the top and sides.
How do you terminate at the top and toe of a slope?
Typically termination at the top of an embankment is achieved by tucking the mats (and underlying geotextile filter fabric) into a top anchor trench. Top anchor trench depth can range from 300mm to 600mm deep depending on the specific job characteristics and potential for undermining at the top of the embankment.
How fast can Flexible Concrete Mats be placed?
Production rates vary depending on the type of system being installed, the accessibility of the project and geometries of the bed slope, side slope and overall configuration of the placement. In general, a 2.4m wide x 15m long mat can be installed at a rate of 40-60 m2 man-hour.
How do you connect Flexible Concrete Mats at the sides?
The two longitudinal edges are held together by UBar anchors and extra Geogrid joining strips. Australian Concrete Mats provide CAD details with various connection methods.
How do you connect Flexible Concrete Mats at the ends?
The two ends of the mats are often overlapped with the downstream mat being lowered into the ground to ensure the top mat is horizontal to the ground.
Australian Concrete Mats provide CAD details with various connection methods.
Do you need to fill and seed the open cell block?
You can specify in the plans how you would like the mats to be filled, or let it fill naturally depending on the location and how quickly you are looking to get vegetation to grow.
How do you handle obstructions and curves? (How do you install ACMs around pipes?)
Australian Concrete Mats have several CAD details. They are available for download on our website. On this link: https://www.concretemats.com.au/downloads/#technicaldrawings
Typically, the mat is placed in full rolls until the placement of an mat will not fit due to an impeding structure. The pipe structures can be cut out or the flexible concrete mats can go around obstacles due to the space between the mats allowing it to be flexible.
Can the Flexible Concrete Mats go around corners or bends?
Yes, the geogrid material is flexible and the open spaces between the concrete shapes allows for the mats to turn corners.
How do you determine when mechanical anchors are necessary?
Mechanical anchors are used on steeper slopes or when an extra safety factor is desired.
Do you have any questions about our Concrete Mats?
CONTACT US
Telephone: 0480 234 521 Email: info@concretemats.com.au
Postal: PO Box 94 Alstonville NSW 2477
