What are sandbags used for?

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Sandbags are sacks, typically made of canvas or cotton duck, that are filled with sand or heavy earth. Particularly resistant ones for long-term applications are made of polypropylene or other plastics. While sandbags are most closely associated with flood control, they actually have a number of applications, from environmental remediation to home construction. Because they are cheap, easy to handle and robust, they can be used in a wide variety of situations and by people of different economic classes.

The easily stackable nature of sandbags makes them ideal for flood prevention, and in flood-prone areas many people keep them on hand. They can be stacked like bricks and the earth or sand filling them will settle, creating a strong, strong wall. Sandbags intended for use in flood control are usually made from plastic bags or can be painted with waterproof solutions to make them more permanent.

Additionally, sandbags can be used for erosion control. Road debris, for example, is often lined with sandbags to prevent the materials behind it from collapsing into a rock or landslide. These are often made of burlap and can be designed to sprout grass and other ground coverings, creating a solid wall of plant material to further control erosion. Since they can be filled with just about anything, they can be filled with nutrient-rich soil and seeds. Sandbags designed for use in environmental remediation are often used that way, as standalone planters.

The military also has uses for sandbags, which can be used to create fortifications. Structures are often sandblasted so windows don’t break, and are also used on the battlefield to create protected areas. A sandbag wall can absorb heavy impacts such as those caused by vehicle collisions and ammunition strikes.

People experimenting with alternative home building techniques also use sandbags, in this case to make rammed earth houses that are extremely strong, solid and well insulated. They can be used to create walls and stacked strategically to create vaulted windows and doors. Earth or plaster can be spread over the sandbags for an aesthetically pleasing and weather resistant wall. These houses are versatile, very cheap to build, and good for the environment, as they can be made from recycled bags and materials found locally.

Ballast is another use of sandbags. Cars, boats, and other vessels that might require weight to balance a load can use them. Once the ballast is no longer needed, the sandbags can be handed over to someone else who may be able to use them.

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