Concrete Mattresses for Scour Protection

Scour protection refers to measures that prevent the erosion of soil or bed material around structures like bridge piers, abutments, and culverts caused by flowing water. Without scour protection, water velocity can undermine foundations and embankments, leading to structural failure. Concrete mattresses provide hard armor that stabilizes the substrate against these destructive hydraulic forces.

Hydrotex fabric is a cement-based composite textile used in scour and erosion protection applications. When hydrated, it hardens into a flexible yet rigid layer that conforms to uneven surfaces along riverbanks, slopes, and channel linings. It provides durable, long-term protection against hydraulic erosion in underwater and subaqueous environments.

Flexamat outperforms traditional rock riprap in several key ways. Its 5000 psi concrete blocks on a bi-axial polypropylene geogrid provide superior shear stress resistance of 24+ psf and velocity resistance of 30+ fps. It is also easier to install, comes in roll form, requires less maintenance, and encourages vegetative growth — reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Flexamat concrete mattresses are engineered to resist water velocities exceeding 30 feet per second and shear stresses of 24+ pounds per square foot. This makes them suitable for high-energy hydraulic environments such as bridge abutments, steep channel side slopes, road overtopping scenarios, and high-flow culvert outlets where standard erosion control products would fail.

Yes. Flexamat is specifically designed to allow and encourage vegetative growth. The concrete blocks are spaced 1.5 inches apart on the geogrid, leaving openings for grass and other vegetation to establish. Backing options include Curlex II wood excelsior or Curlex II with Recyclex TRM-V to support seed germination. Once grass is established, the mat can be mowed normally.

Flexamat concrete mattresses are delivered in roll form for simplified handling and installation. The roll is unrolled along the prepared slope or channel surface and permanently anchored using stake pins or anchor trenches at the edges. The backing options help with initial seed establishment. Coleman Moore Company provides product installation consultation to support proper placement and anchoring procedures.