Effects of Polyacrylamide, Biochar, and Palm Fiber on Soil Erosion at the Early Stage of Vegetation Concrete Slope Construction

Abstract

The goal of this research is to investigate strategies to increase the erosion resistance of the slope surface during the early stages of vegetation concrete construction, as well as to offer a scientific foundation for improving vegetation concrete formulation. Simulated rainfall experiments were carried out at 2 different slope gradients (50° and 60°), 2 different rainfall intensities (60 and 120 mm·h−1), and 4 treatments (CK-no additive, 0.4% P-polyacrylamide, 4% C-biochar, and 0.4% F-palm fiber). PAM, palm fiber, and biochar significantly reduced the initial runoff time of the vegetation concrete slope by an average of 47.03%, 46.41%, and 22.67%, respectively (p < 0.05). The runoff rate of each slope under different conditions increased with the expansion of rainfall duration and then fluctuated and stabilized, whereas the erosion rate decreased and then fluctuated and stabilized. PAM and palm fiber both increased runoff rates while decreasing erosion rates, but biochar increased both runoff rates and erosion rates. The runoff reduction benefits of PAM, palm fiber, and biochar were −69.84~−1.97%, −68.82~−14.28% and −63.70~−6.80%, respectively, while the sediment reduction benefits were 69.21~94.07%, −96.81~−50.35%, and 36.20~60.47%, respectively. PAM and palm fiber both have obvious sediment reduction benefits and can be used in the ecological restoration of high and steep slopes in areas with heavy rainfall.