Permanent reinforced vegetation combines living plant systems with engineered turf reinforcement to provide durable protection for channels, slopes, shorelines, stormwater infrastructure, and other hydraulically demanding environments.
Healthy vegetation provides effective erosion resistance in many
environments. As slopes become steeper and water becomes deeper,
faster, or more concentrated, however, unreinforced vegetation
may not provide the stability the site requires.
Increasing water velocity places greater force on vegetation,
soil particles, and developing root systems.
Hydraulic shear can strip vegetation and displace soil where
roots alone cannot resist the applied forces.
Transitions, bends, outlets, grade changes, and concentrated
flow can create localized erosion and system failure points.
Permanent infrastructure must withstand repeated hydraulic
loading, seasonal storms, and changing vegetation conditions.
Turf reinforcement mats create a permanent, open structure
that integrates with soil, roots, and vegetation. As roots
develop through and around the matrix, the living system and
synthetic reinforcement work together to resist hydraulic
forces.
The objective is not to cover the site with a visible plastic
surface. The objective is to create a reinforced vegetated
system in which the mat becomes part of the root zone.
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The appropriate system depends on soil condition, vegetation
goals, slope geometry, flow velocity, shear stress, anticipated
storm events, and the consequences of failure.
Rooted vegetation provides surface protection where
slopes and hydraulic exposure remain within natural
turf performance limits.
Flexible growth media protect soil and seed while
vegetation develops across exposed slopes and channels.
Turf reinforcement creates permanent structural support
for vegetation exposed to greater hydraulic forces.
Rock, concrete, articulated systems, or other structural
protection may be required when vegetated systems cannot
meet the design conditions.
Lower hydraulic demand
Higher hydraulic demand
Permanent reinforcement for specialized slopes, channels,
shorelines, levees, and other demanding applications.
Futerra® R45 High Performance-Turf Reinforcement Mat integrates
a high-tenacity polyester geogrid within a three-dimensional
matrix of thermally fused nylon monofilaments. The resulting
structure provides permanent reinforcement while remaining open
for soil, roots, and vegetation.
Futerra R45 HP-TRM is suited to applications where permanent
reinforcement, high tensile strength, dimensional stability,
and long-term root-zone integration are central to the design.
Reinforce vegetated levee surfaces where erosion resistance,
overtopping considerations, and long-term stability matter.
Protect soil and vegetation along water edges subject to
changing water levels, waves, flow, and repeated exposure.
Add permanent reinforcement where slope geometry increases
the risk of shallow erosion or vegetation loss.
Restore and reinforce slopes or channels where previous
vegetation or erosion-control systems have not performed.
Combine immediate erosion protection, accelerated vegetation,
and permanent turf reinforcement in one coordinated system.
The GreenArmor™ System combines Futerra® TRM or Futerra® R45
HP-TRM with Flexterra® HP-FGM™. The turf reinforcement mat
provides the permanent structural matrix, while the hydraulic
growth medium bonds seed and soil, protects the surface during
establishment, and supports rapid vegetation development.
GreenArmor combines a permanent reinforcement structure with a
hydraulically applied vegetation establishment medium. Each
component performs a distinct role within the finished system.
Creates a permanent open matrix that reinforces soil,
roots, and vegetation over the life of the project.
Bonds seed to soil, protects the surface, manages
moisture, and supports rapid vegetation establishment.
Delivers immediate erosion protection followed by
permanent reinforced vegetation as the root system matures.
Reinforced vegetation can provide a durable, natural-looking
solution for channels, slopes, drainage systems, water edges,
and other areas exposed to sustained hydraulic forces.
Reinforce vegetation within open channels that carry routine
runoff and higher storm-event flows.
Protect vegetated conveyances where concentrated flow can
exceed the resistance of natural turf.
Reinforce surfaces exposed to intermittent, high-energy
flows during major rainfall events.
Support vegetation along detention, retention, treatment,
and stormwater facility slopes.
Protect vegetated edges exposed to waves, changing water
elevations, runoff, or channel flow.
Add erosion resistance around transportation, utility,
municipal, and environmental infrastructure.
The decision should be based on hydraulic performance,
constructability, maintenance, aesthetics, environmental goals,
access, lifecycle requirements, and the consequences of failure.
R.H. Moore helps connect hydraulic requirements, geotechnical
conditions, vegetation objectives, product selection,
constructability, and installation planning.
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Review slope geometry, soils, flow velocity, shear stress,
scour potential, vegetation goals, and failure risk.
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Match the TRM, hydraulic infill, anchoring, terminations,
transitions, and supporting details to the site.
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Support technical specifications, product data,
performance criteria, quantities, and installation details.
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Coordinate with contractors during installation and help
address field conditions before they become failure points.
Connect with R.H. Moore for reinforced vegetation design support,
product selection, hydraulic performance review, specification
assistance, installation planning, or project consultation.
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