Erosion Control
Erosion control plays a critical role in protecting exposed soil from wind and water damage while encouraging vegetation growth and long-term slope stability. Whether on highways, embankments, riverbanks, or coastal defences, maintaining soil integrity is essential to preventing washout, landslides, and costly structural failures.
Vulcan Earth Anchors provide an effective and sustainable solution by securely fastening erosion control meshes, mats, rock rolls, and revetment systems to the ground. Unlike traditional pegs or concrete fixings, our mechanical ground anchors deliver immediate holding capacity and ensure permanent contact between the material and soil — even on steep slopes or in challenging ground conditions.
Erosion control applications span across:
Highways & Roads – stabilising verges and embankments
Rail & Utilities – protecting access routes and slopes
Waterways & Flood Defences – reinforcing riverbanks, canals, and culverts
Marine & Coastal Defences – safeguarding against wave action and washout
Environmental Restoration – supporting re-vegetation and land rehabilitation
Why Use Vulcan Earth Anchors?
Challenges with Traditional Methods
Conventional erosion control fixings — such as wooden pegs, J-pins, rebar stakes, or concrete Deadman — often prove inefficient or impractical. Common issues include:
Poor performance in hard, rocky, or uneven ground
Requirement for heavy machinery or excavation
Risk of displacement in high winds, water flow, or ground movement
Delayed stability due to curing or settlement time
Limited suitability for remote or ecologically sensitive areas
How Vulcan Earth Anchors Improve Performance
Vulcan Earth Anchors overcome these issues by offering a mechanical, no-concrete solution that provides:
Immediate load capacity with no curing delay
Fast and simple installation using handheld or hydraulic tools
Minimal ground disturbance and reduced environmental impact
Long design life, with anchor material options to suit the expected lifespan of the project
Secure long-term stability, ensuring mats and meshes remain firmly in place
This combination of speed, strength, and sustainability makes Vulcan Earth Anchors a proven choice for erosion control in diverse environments.
How Our Products Are Used for This Application
Erosion control systems typically rely on small Vulcan Earth Anchors (such as AS-05 or AS-10 models) to fix materials like coir mats, geotextiles, rock rolls, or open-cell revetment blocks.
Manual Installation (Light-Duty Applications)
Smaller anchors can be driven manually using a drive rod and a post driver or sledgehammer.
Once the desired depth is achieved, the drive rod is removed, and the anchor is tensioned by hand or lever tool to lock it in place.
Ideal for securing lightweight erosion mats or biodegradable meshes on gentle slopes.
Mechanical Installation (Medium-Duty Applications)
For steeper slopes, firmer soils, or larger installations, anchors can be installed using handheld petrol or electric breakers, or mechanical post drivers fitted with a drive adapter.
Anchors are then locked off with a manual or ratchet load locker, offering quick, consistent, and deep installation in challenging terrain.
Design Considerations
Anchor size and spacing depend on slope gradient, soil type, and load requirements.
Design life affects material selection — for example, galvanised for temporary installations or stainless steel for long-term or marine exposure.
Ground conditions must be assessed to ensure appropriate anchor selection and performance.
Which Products Are Used for This Application
The following Vulcan Earth Anchor models are most commonly used for erosion control:
AS-05 and AS-10 – small, efficient anchors ideal for securing mats, meshes, and rock rolls.
These anchors can be used with:
Erosion Control Matting – biodegradable or synthetic materials that stabilise the soil surface while vegetation establishes.
Rock Rolls – cylindrical, stone-filled mesh structures that reduce water velocity, absorb hydraulic energy, and promote natural regeneration.
Open-Cell Revetment Blocks – interlocking concrete units that armour slopes and allow vegetation growth while resisting hydraulic uplift.
Together, these systems deliver a resilient and environmentally considerate approach to erosion management across slopes, embankments, and waterways.
Common Applications We Support
Our products are used across a wide range of erosion control scenarios, including:
Securing Geotextiles and Mats: Vulcan anchors fix biodegradable or synthetic mats and fabrics in place, maintaining soil coverage and preventing surface erosion.
Slope Stabilisation: Anchors transfer loads from the surface to deeper stable layers, securing soil, meshes, and reinforcement systems on embankments and cuttings.
Supporting Vegetated Systems: Ideal for turf reinforcement or green wall systems, combining structural stability with ecological restoration.
Riverbank and Canal Reinforcement: Anchors secure gabions, revetments, and geogrids, preventing washout, undercutting, and bank collapse.
Coastal and Cliff Protection: Used to stabilise revetments, sea defences, and bioengineering systems that protect infrastructure from tidal or wave erosion.
This flexibility ensures we can design and install systems for a variety of materials, scales, and environmental conditions.
FAQs
01
Why choose Vulcan Earth Anchors over traditional erosion control fixings?
They provide immediate, reliable load capacity without the need for concrete or heavy equipment. Installation is quick, low-impact, and suitable for steep or hard-to-access terrain.
02
Can anchors be installed in any type of ground?
Yes — Vulcan Earth Anchors are suitable for most soil types, from soft clay to compacted gravel. Anchor size and installation depth are selected based on ground conditions and design loads.
03
Can the anchors be used in marine or water-based erosion control?
Yes. Stainless steel options offer high corrosion resistance, making them suitable for marine, riverbank, and coastal environments.
Get to know more about the product
The Vulcan Earth Anchor range was designed and developed by Anchor Systems (International) Ltd to provide a simple, reliable, and cost-effective ground anchoring solution for a wide variety of applications.
Our brochure includes detailed product information, performance data, installation guidance, and examples of real-world uses across multiple sectors.
If you require technical specifications or design advice for your specific project, please get in touch with our team.
Experts in innovative foundation systems
From rail and highways to solar farms and temporary structures, Anchor Systems deliver engineered ground anchoring and foundation solutions that simplify installation and reduce environmental impact.
Zero concrete, zero waiting time
Easy installation with hand-held or hydraulic tools
Reusable, relocatable, and sustainable
Designed, tested, and manufactured in the UK