The three-dimensional vegetation net combines the advantages of geotechnical nets and vegetation slope protection, addressing the protection issues of rocky slopes and high-steep slopes. Application examples show that the three-dimensional vegetation net slope protection is beneficial for slope stability.

The three-dimensional vegetation net slope protection not only enhances the overall and local stability of the slope but also promotes vegetation growth. Additionally, the engineering cost is relatively low, aligning with the development direction of slope engineering and holding significant application value in soil and water conservation in China.

The three-dimensional vegetation net serves a composite slope protection function. When the vegetation coverage on the slope reaches over 30%, it can withstand light rain erosion; when coverage exceeds 80%, it can endure heavy rain erosion. Once the plants grow luxuriantly, they can resist runoff velocities of up to 6 m/s, which is more than twice that of ordinary turf. The presence of the geotechnical net effectively reduces soil moisture evaporation on the slope and increases water infiltration. Meanwhile, as the geotechnical net material is black polyethylene, it has heat-absorbing and insulating properties, promoting seed germination and benefiting plant growth.

Installation:

⑴ Laying: Place the three-dimensional vegetation net from top to bottom along the slope surface, ensuring a smooth fit between the net and the slope.

⑵ Embedding: When laying the three-dimensional net at the slope top, extend it by 40–80 cm, bury it in the soil, and compact it.

⑶ Anchoring: Secure the three-dimensional net from bottom to top using U-shaped steel bars with a diameter of 6 mm or larger. The U-shaped bars should be approximately 15–30 cm long and 8 mm wide, spaced about 1.5–2.5 m apart. Use #8 U-shaped iron nails or bamboo nails for auxiliary fixation in between.

⑷ Soil Covering: After the three-dimensional vegetation net is laid, evenly cover it with soil until the net pockets are fully filled, ensuring no empty pockets remain. The soil thickness on the net should be no less than 12 mm. Then, mix fertilizers, growth hormones, and adhesives in a certain ratio and evenly apply them to the surface. The fertilizer should be a compound fertilizer with N:P:K = 15:15:15 or N:P:K = 10:8:7, along with N-containing organic matter, applied at a rate of about 30–50 g/m2.