How our silt curtains work, the two curtain types, installation methods and the turbidity reduction measured on real projects.
What Is a Silt Curtain?
A silt curtain is a protective barrier used in marine environments to control pollution caused by suspended sediment, such as silty soil or stone dust. When runoff or construction activity stirs up sediment in a waterway, the silt curtain contains it.
By confining the sediment to a specific area, the rest of the waterway is protected from the damaging effects of pollution.
Function
The silt curtain encloses turbidity and minimises its effect on sensitive areas outside the work zone.
Inside the curtain the current is much slower than outside. Lower flow velocity speeds up the settlement of silt.
By suppressing the spread of pollution, the curtain makes soil particles interfere with each other, which accelerates their settlement.
The curtain narrows the settlement range, keeping the spread of pollution beyond the curtain to a minimum.
Types of EuroSilt
Both types are made in 20 m panels of four 5 m sections, with a 0.3 to 0.5 m float and skirt depths from 1 to 8 m to suit the water depth.
For sites with strong tide, waves and wind. A continuous polyethylene float runs inside a tarpaulin tube along the top of the curtain.
For calmer water with low external forces. Individual polyethylene floats sit in a plastic cover along the head of the curtain.
| Dimension | Standard |
|---|---|
| Panel length | 20 m (4 × 5 m sections) |
| Float height (freeboard) | 0.3 – 0.5 m |
| Skirt depth | 1 – 8 m, to suit water depth |
| Connection | Panels joined end to end to any length |
Installation
Anchoring is arranged to suit the site: standard installation, sites with high tide and waves, and sites with no tide or waves.
Performance
Suspended solids measured inside and outside the silt curtain on three types of marine work. Turbidity outside the curtain was reduced by up to 94.8%.
| Work type | Measuring point | Inside curtain (ppm) | Outside curtain (ppm) | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1: Reclamation work | Spillway area | 172 | 9 | 94.8% |
| Spillway area | 200 | 37 | 81.5% | |
| Case 2: Dredging work | Measuring point 1 | 70 | 15 | 78.6% |
| Measuring point 2 | 60 | 12 | 80.0% | |
| Measuring point 3 | 50 | 12 | 76.0% | |
| Measuring point 4 | 80 | 15 | 81.3% | |
| Case 3: Dumping at sea | Upper layer, left side | 41.0 | 14.3 | 65.1% |
| Upper layer, right side | 36.4 | 14.1 | 61.3% | |
| Middle layer, left side | 37.6 | 20.2 | 46.3% | |
| Middle layer, right side | 35.1 | 18.1 | 48.4% |
Reduction = (inside - outside) / inside × 100.
Workshop & Site
EuroSilt curtains are fabricated, packed and delivered ready to deploy.
Project References
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Tell us your water depth, current and required length, and we'll recommend the right EuroSilt design.
Tell us the product and quantity. We'll reply with pricing and delivery options.
012-322 0016
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