Vmax3 P550 Turf Reinforcement Mat | North American Green

Vmax³®
P550 Permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat

Permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat

North American Green’s P550 is made of a permanent, ultra-high-strength, three-dimensional matting structure incorporated with a permanent 100% polypropylene fiber matrix. The 100% polypropylene fiber matrix enhances the permanent matting structure’s initial mulching and erosion control properties, as well as its permanent vegetation reinforcement capabilities.

P550 is designed to provide long-term, pre-vegetated erosion protection and permanent turf reinforcement in an extensive range of severe applications that include steep slopes; extreme, high-flow channels; and shorelines. P550 is proven to drive the shear resistance of vegetation to over 14 lbs/ft² (672 Pa)—a new maximum for vegetation reinforcement.

Top Net
Polypropylene
24.0 lbs/1,000 ft²
(11.7 kg/100 m²) approx. wt.

Center Net
Polypropylene, corrugated
24.0 lbs/1,000 ft²
(11.7 kg/100 m²) approx. wt.

Polypropylene Fiber
0.5 lbs/yd²
(0.27 kg/m²) approx. wt.

Bottom Net
Polypropylene
24.0 lbs/1,000 ft²
(11.7 kg/100 m²) approx. wt.

Thread
Permanent

P550 Performance Profile

Phase 1
(unvegetated)

Unprotected seed and soil are highly susceptible to erosion. Upon installation, the P550’s polypropylene fiber matrix and corrugated matting structure provide a uniform mulch layer and effective erosion protection for seed and soil under flow-induced shear stresses up to 4.0 lbs/ft² (191 Pa).

Phase 2
(vegetation establishment)

The tender stems and undeveloped root systems of immature vegetation provide little protection for the soil surface and are prone to damage or removal at shear stresses of only 0.6 lbs/ft² (29 Pa).* The P550 continues providing erosion protection between, and structural support for, developing plants – increasing the permissible shear stress of new vegetation up to 12 lbs/ft² (576 Pa).

Phase 3
(vegetation maturity)

Under flow-induced shear stress of only 1.0 lbs/ft² (48 Pa), unreinforced mature vegetation may allow significant soil loss and experience physical damage.** The P550 reinforces soils and anchors vegetation roots and stems – increasing the permissible shear stress of the permanent vegetative stand up to 14 lbs/ft² (672 Pa).

*Based on FHWA HEC#15 Permissible Shear Stress for Class D Vegetation [2 – 6” tall (5 – 15 cm), fair stand].
**Based on FHWA HEC#15 Permissible Shear Stress for Class C [6” tall (15 cm), good stand].

Product	Typical Applications			Limiting Shear Stress¹ Flow Duration				Permissable Velocity²		FHWA FP-03 Category	ECTC Category	Typical Projects
				Bare Soil		Vegetated		Permissable Velocity²
				0.5 hrs	50 hrs	0.5 hrs	50 hrs	Unvegetated	Vegetated
P550	1:1 & Greater Slopes	Extreme, High-Flow Channels	Shorelines	4.0 (191)	3.25 (156)	14.0 (672)	12.0 (576)	12.5 (3.8)	25.0 (7.6)	Type 5.A, B and C	Type 5.A, B and C	Severe Slopes, Spillways, Swales, High-Flow Areas, Shoreline Protection