A fascine is a rough bundle of brushwood or other material used for strengthening an earthen structure, or making a path across uneven or wet terrain. Typical uses are protecting the banks of streams from erosion, covering marshland, or providing ground improvement in a manner similar to that of modern geotextiles.
Templin Channel in Templin, Germany. The riverbank was strengthened with fascines.
Two chandeliers stacked with fascines.
British Mark V tanks carrying crib fascines, 1918.
Single fascine launch near Hannover – Centurion AVRE
A fascine mattress (Dutch: Zinkstuk, literally sink piece), is a large woven mat made of brushwood, typically willow twigs and shoots, used to protect riverbeds and other underwater surfaces from scour and erosion. They are similar in construction to a fascine, but are primarily used for hydraulic engineering works, typically to strengthen the banks of rivers and streams, as well as coastal structures like revetments and groynes.
Preparation of a fascine mattress prior to immersion in Wenduine
A fascine mattress being prepared for sinking in the port of Wanssum on the Maas
A modern fascine mattress being prepared for installation in Gouda. The synthetic geotextile underlayer can be clearly seen.
Technical details of a classic fascine mattress
