Title: Improvements on a system for soil erosion control of slopes using scrap tyres

Authors: M.H. Bremer-Bremer, M. Molina-Ruiz, N. Leon-Rovira, I. Lewites-Cornejo

Addresses: Center for Environmental Quality, ITESM, Monterrey Campus, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada No. 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico. ' Center for Innovation and Product Design, ITESM, Monterrey Campus, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada No. 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico. ' Center for Innovation and Product Design, ITESM, Monterrey Campus, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada No. 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico. ' Center for Environmental Quality, ITESM, Monterrey Campus, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada No. 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico

Abstract: This work proposes improvements on the assembly process of a slope protection system using scrap tyres to reduce severe erosion that occurs in non-vegetated slopes. Tests results during six rain events, with maximal intensity of 26 mm/hr and accumulated rainfall of 94.5 mm, indicate that the installation cost of the system was $1.10USD/tyre and reduced the erosion by 83% with respect to an unprotected area. Further improvement undertaken by students from the graduate course Product Design and Analysis indicates that by replacing the rope on the original system with straps, the installation time is reduced by 75% and the material costs by 18%.

Keywords: scrap tyres; soil erosion; landfill cover; slope revegetation; QFD; TRIZ; erosion control; quality function deployment; slope protection; straps; rope; environmental protection; synthetic tyres; tyre collars; surface runoff; assembly process.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.016499

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.31 No.3/4, pp.316 - 324

Published online: 03 Jan 2008 *

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