BMP Slope Protection
Reno Mattresses, also known as rock mattresses, are flexible, rectangular mesh cages made from double twisted “DT” woven wire mesh. Manufacturers divide these cages into compartments and fill them with rocks to stabilize them during high-flow water conditions. People commonly use them for controlling erosion along riverbanks, stabilizing embankments in channel linings, and building weirs because of their flexibility.
Manufacturers craft our Reno Mattresses using a durable polymer coating called PoliMac®, and they typically measure 6m x 2m with a thickness under 500mm.
At the site, workers pack the Reno mattresses with stones to form a flexible, permeable, and solid structure. This structure is ideal for protecting river and canal banks as well as controlling erosion and preventing soil scouring on slopes.
Tests have shown that by confining rocks within the compartments of the mattresses, there’s a significant reduction in rock movement under strong water flows, which allows for using smaller, less rock for channel lining tasks.
Why Choose BMP Reno Mattresses?
- Protects Soil: Greatly improves stability on soil banks and guards soil against erosion and scouring.
- Effective: Over 73% more effective than using loose rock (rip-rap) in situations with high shear stress.
- Permanent Solution: Ideal for permanent installations in hydraulic settings like weirs, and for erosion control along riverbanks and stabilizing embankments.
- Environmentally Friendly: Highly permeable, encouraging sediment and seed capture along waterways, which aids in enhancing the natural habitat.
- Flexible and Versatile: Easily shaped to fit existing soil contours or targeted ecological areas for regeneration.
- Strong: Constructed from a single continuous mesh panel without joints, enhancing structural strength.
- Improved Design: Reno Mattresses Features a double diaphragm that enhances rockfill confinement, boosting the structural integrity.
- Durable Coating: PoliMac coating offers 10 times the resistance to abrasion, double the chemical resistance, and four times the UV resistance compared to traditional mesh products.
- Certified Quality: Independently verified and comes with BBA-HAPAS certification.
- Support and Tools: Provides design support and access to advanced design software, along with training and seminars. Special tools for installation, like pneumatic lacing tools and “C” rings, are available for hire or purchase to cut assembly time by up to 50%.
Table 1: Sizes of Castoro Reno Mattresses
| Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) | Number of Cells |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0.30 | 2 |
| 6 | 2 | 0.17 | 6 |
| 6 | 2 | 0.23 | 6 |
| 6 | 2 | 0.30 | 6 |
Table 2: Standard Mesh Specifications
| Mesh Type | Opening D (mm) | Tolerance | Wire Diameter (mm) | Mesh Tensile Strength (kN/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6×8 | 60 | +16%/-4% | 2.00 | 32 |
Table 3: Standard Wire Diameters
| Mesh Wire (mm) | Selvedge Wire (mm) | Lacing Wire (mm) | Galmac Coating (gr/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 215, 230, 230 |
Steel Wire Reno Mattresses
The double twisted steel wire mesh used in the production of Reno Mattresses has mechanical characteristics higher than those stated in EN 10223-3. The nominal tensile strength of the mesh shall be as per Table 2; test done in accordance with EN 15381, Annex D.
Wire
The steel wire used in the manufacture of the mattress is heavily galvanized with Galmac, a Zn-5%Al alloy. The standard mesh specifications are shown in Table 2.
All tests on wire must be performed prior to manufacturing the mesh.
- Tensile Strength: The wire used for the manufacture of Castoro Reno Mattresses shall have a tensile strength between 380-550 N/mm², which exceeds the strengths referred to in EN 10223-3. Wire tolerances (Table 3) are in accordance with EN 10218 (Class T1).
- Elongation: Elongation shall not be less than 10%, in accordance with EN 10223-3. Test must be carried out on a sample at least 25 cm long.
- Galmac Coating: Minimum quantities of Galmac shown in Table 3 meet the requirements of EN 10244-2 (Table 2 – Class A).
- Adhesion of Galmac: The adhesion of the Galmac coating to the wire shall be such that, when the wire is wrapped six turns around a mandrel four times the diameter of the wire, it does not flake or crack when rubbing it with bare fingers, in compliance with EN 10244.
- Outwearing Accelerated Aging Test in SO2: 28 cycles in accordance with EN ISO 6988.
Reno Mattresses Lacing Operations
Lacing operations can be made by using the tools shown in Fig.5. Galmac coated steel rings having the following specification can be used as an alternative to lacing wire when Galmac coated mattresses are used (Figs. 3, 4):
- Diameter: 3.00 mm, ASTM A975-97, Table 1
- Tensile Strength: 1380-1660 MPa, ASTM A764, Table 2, Class 1
- Coating Thickness: 244g/m² ASTM A764, Table 7, Class 3
- Spacing of the Rings: Must not exceed 150 mm (Fig.3)
Quantity Request
When requesting a supply quotation, please specify:
- Size of Units: (length x width x height, see Table 1),
- Type of Mesh,
- Type of Coating
Example: No. 100 Castoro Reno Mattresses 6x2x0.17m – Mesh type 6×8 – Wire diam. 2.00 – Galmac coated
Conclusion
Reno Mattresses are a practical choice for ecological projects as well. Their permeability allows for the entrapment of sediment and encourages vegetation growth, which contributes to the health and diversity of local aquatic ecosystems. This makes Reno Mattresses an environmentally friendly option that aids in natural habitat restoration.
In conclusion, Reno Mattresses represent a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious solution for a wide range of hydraulic and erosion control applications. Their flexibility, durability, and ecological benefits make them a preferred choice for engineers and environmental specialists aiming to protect and enhance natural and man-made landscapes.
