Perimeter Controls: They May Not Be Effective, but at Least They Are Expensive

Wesley C. Zech, PhD

Sediment-laden discharges from construction sites can have detrimental effects on the ecosystem if perimeter control products and/or practices fail to perform as intended. Although the primary goals of perimeter control practices are typically the same (i.e., sediment retention and water quality improvement), knowing when, where, and how to use various perimeter controls may not always be apparent. This industry roundtable will provide an opportunity for attendees to collaborate, interact, and discuss open-ended topics pertaining to their experiences with various perimeter control practices in an effort to identify lessons learned in the successful applications of practices. Discussions will revolve around types of perimeter controls, design guidance, application, in-field performance, typical failure modes, maintenance requirements, and innovations.

• Gain insight on various types and applications of perimeter control practices used in construction through collaborative discussion.
• Engage in open-ended, thought provoking discussions with practitioners to obtain an understanding of applied strategies used to protect construction site perimeters.
• Become knowledgeable on new, innovative perimeter control application, installation, and maintenance practices shared by attendee participation.

Round Table Discussion Leader: Wesley C. Zech, PhD – Professor & Director of Civil Engineering Construction Management, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Wesley C. Zech is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and serves as the Director of Civil Engineering Construction Management. Prior to his appointment with the University of Alabama Birmingham, he was the Brasfield and Gorrie Professor of Construction Engineering and Management at Auburn University. He earned a B.S. (1999), M.E. (2000), and a Ph.D. (2004) from the University at Buffalo in Western, NY. He was employed at Auburn University since 2004 and taught courses in the areas of construction engineering, project management, construction safety and health management, construction equipment and methods, erosion and sediment control applications in construction, and sustainable design and construction. In addition to teaching, he has conducted external research in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Transportation and Ohio Department of Transportation that led to the development of the Auburn University Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility. His research efforts focused on applying full-scale testing techniques to evaluate the performance of various erosion and sediment control practices commonly used in construction, including: silt fence tiebacks, the use of polyacrylamide, hydromulches, ditch checks, inlet protection measures, sediment barriers, catch basin inserts, and sediment basins. Many of the research results from these efforts have been adopted as standard erosion and sediment control practices used on highway construction projects in the state of Alabama. His current research endeavors include characterizing the performance of sediment barrier systems, using unmanned aerial vehicles for construction site inspections, and the design and deployment of a rainfall simulator used to evaluate erosion control measures. Other areas of research expertise include construction safety, work zone safety, and the use of unmanned aerial systems for construction site inspections.