Vmax3 SC250 Turf Reinforcement Mat | North American Green

Vmax³®
SC250 Permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat

Permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat

Vmax³ SC250 is constructed of a permanent, high-strength, three-dimensional matting structure that incorporates a straw/coconut fiber matrix. The straw/coconut fiber matrix enhances the permanent matting component’s initial mulching and erosion control performance for up to 24 months.

SC250 provides extended-term, pre-vegetated erosion protection and permanent turf reinforcement in a wide range of applications, including severe slopes, medium- to high-flow channels, and stream banks. It is proven in extensive laboratory and field research to increase the shear resistance of vegetation up to 10 lbs/ft² (480 Pa).

With the toughest unreinforced grasses typically failing at shear stress levels of 3.7 lbs/ft², the high-performance SC250 more than doubles the shear resistance of vegetation. This enables SC250 to be used in applications where rock riprap and concrete were once specified.

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

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

Matrix Material
70% agricultural straw
0.35 lbs/yd²
(0.19 kg/m²)
30% coconut fiber
0.15 lbs/yd²
(0.08 kg/m²)

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

Thread
Permanent

SC250 Performance Profile

Phase 1
(unvegetated)

Unprotected seed and soil are highly susceptible to erosion. Upon installation, the SC250’s straw/coconut 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 3.0 lbs/ft² (144 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 SC250 continues providing erosion protection between, and structural support for, developing plants – increasing the permissible shear stress of new vegetation up to 8 lbs/ft² (383 Pa).

Phase 3
(vegetation maturity)

Under flow-induced shear stress of only 1.0 lbs./ft.² (48 Pa), unreinforced mature vegetation may allow significant soil loss and experience physical damage.^†

The SC250’s corrugated matting structure reinforces soils and anchors vegetation roots and stems—increasing the permissible shear stress of the permanent vegetative stand to 10 lbs./ft.² (480 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				Permissible Velocity²		FHWA FP-03 Category	ECTC Category	Typical Projects
				Bare Soil		Vegetated		Permissible Velocity²
				0.5 hrs	50 hrs	0.5 hrs	50 hrs	Unvegetated	Vegetated
SC250	1:1 & Greater Slopes	Medium- to High-Flow Channels	Shorelines	3.0 (144)	2.5 (120)	10.0 (480)	8.0 (384)	9.0 (2.9)	15.0 (4.6)	Type 5.A, B, and C	Type 5.A, B, and C	Roadside Ditches, Golf Course Swales, Steep Slopes, Stream Banks