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Performance Profile | Problems Solved




Slope
Channel
Shoreline
1:1 & Greater Slopes

Ultra High Flow Channels

Shorelines

P550®
Permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat
Ultra-high Performance
Equivalent to Concrete
The New Maximum in Vegetation Reinforcement

North American Green’s P550 is comprised of a permanent, ultra high strength three-dimensional matting structure incorporated with a 100% polypropylene fiber matrix. The P550 is designed to provide both long-term, pre-vegetated erosion protection and permanent turf reinforcement in a wide variety of applications, including extreme flow channels, spillways, stream banks and shorelines.

The 100% polypropylene fiber matrix augments the permanent matting’s initial mulching and erosion control properties as well as its permanent vegetation reinforcement capabilities. Proven in laboratory and field research, the P550 drives the shear resistance of vegetation to over 14 lbs / ft2 (672 Pa.) – establishing a new maximum for vegetation reinforcement! The P550 is the ultimate choice for extending the use of vegetation in extreme erosion control projects.

Example Photos

Mat Layers

TOP NET
Black UV Stabilized Polypropylene
24 lbs / 1,000 ft2 approximate weight

CENTER NET
Black UV Stabilized Polypropylene Corrugated
24 lbs / 1,000 ft2 approximate weight

MATRIX MATERIAL
100% UV Stabilized Polypropylene

BOTTOM NET
Black UV Stabilized Polypropylene
24 lbs / 1,000 ft2 approximate weight

THREAD
Black UV Stabilized Polypropylene

DIMENSIONS
Width: 6.50 ft (2 m)
Length: 55.50 ft (16.90 m)
Area: 40 yd2 (33.40 m2)
Weight: 52.00 lbs (23.59 kg) +/- 10%


Download Technical
Specifications PDF

Maximum Value with Vmax3 P550
Cost Comparison P550 Concrete
Materials $12,800-16,000 $42,600
Labor $8,500-10,700 $28,500
Total Installed Cost $21,300-26,700
($12-15 yd2/$14-18 m2)		 $71,100
($40 yd2/$48 m2)
MAXIMUM SAVINGS OF $49,800* Based on costs for protecting a 16 ft X 1,000 ft (4.8 m X 305 m) drainage channel.
* Costs shown in U.S. Dollars. Costs may vary based on location.

P550 Product Application Guide*
Applications Limiting Shear Stress lb/ft2 (Pa)
Flow Duration		 Permissible Velocity ft/s
(m/s)		 Typical Projects FHWA FP-03
TRM Categories
Bare Soil Vegetated
0.5 hr 50 hr 0.5 hr 50 hr Unvegetated Vegetated
1:1 & Greater Slopes

Extreme High Flow Channels

36-Month Vegetation Grow-in Period or When Sparse Vegetation Stand Is Expected
 4.0
(191)		 3.25
(156)		 14.0
(672)		 12.0
(576)		 12.5
(3.8)		 25
(7.6)		 Spillways,
Swales,
High Flow
Drainage Areas,
Shoreline Protection		 Types 5.A, B and C
* This guide is for general purposes only. Actual product selection and design should be developed using North American Green’s Erosion Control Materials Design Software (ECMDS®).
* All unvegetated and vegetated Vmax3 performance values are based on laboratory research utilizing test methods similar to those detailed in ASTM D 6459-00.

All Vmax3 products have been tested by AASHTO's National Transportation Product Evaluation Program for RECPs.
GSA Contract Number GS-07F-8870D : 04/01/2004-03/31/2009