How Effective Are Palm-Fiber-Based Erosion Control Blankets (ECB) against Natural Rainfall?

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper proposes evaluating the effectiveness of sugar palm-based ECB applied in protecting against erosion at the designated embankment. This study is interesting, my comments and suggestions are:

 

1 – In the abstract, it misses to report what method is used in this research;

2 – In the Topic 2.1 Sugar Palm Fiber Net ECBs, I suggest to create a table to present the ECB’s characteristics instead to present in the text;

3 – In lines 191 and 192 it is better to describe the expression in words or just to cite the Expression 1;

4 – In the Topic 2.3 - Evaluation of Erosion Control Practices, the used method to determine the efficiency of ECB is not clear. What was the used slope area for this experiment? How was done the mass measure?

5 – Do the authors have any pictures about the used slope for this experiment demonstrating the collected soil?

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1,

We have replied to all comments and hope it is satisfying

with kind regards

M Jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Generally, this paper is very interesting and well-written. This reviewer thinks after a round of revision, it can be accepted and recommended for publication.

 

1.      The main novelty should be summarized and highlighted in Abstract.

2.      More sentences can be added in Abstract.

3.      One or two Keywords can be added.

4.      What’s the novelty of this paper? The novelty should be highlighted in Introduction.

5.      More details can be proposed for Figure 1.

6.      More figures or tables can be added and the paper can be longer.

7.      More sentences can be added for section 3.

8.      More details can be proposed in section 4 Discussion.

9.      The proposed method is a passive control method. A more effective way is semi-active control and adaptive control as mentioned in Eng. Struct., 2023, 294: 116744 and J. Build. Eng., 2023, 78: 107549, please cite them and note in the paper that the intelligent control will be investigated in the future.

10.  Section 4 Conclusions should be section 5.

11.  More sentences should be added in Conclusions.

12.  References should be extended.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

good

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2,

enclosed please find my replies on your comments 

hope it is satisfying

with kind regards

M Jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study deals with the effectiveness of palm fiber-based erosion control blanket against natural rainfall. The topic is interesting and of great value in terms of environmental and social aspects. However, there are some issues that should be solve to make the paper suitable for publication.

1.         The abstract is not clear. Reorganize the abstract to conclude: (a) The overall purpose of the paper and the research problems you investigated should be brief. (b) The basic design of the study. (c) Major findings. (d) A summary of your interpretations and conclusions. (e) Any policy implication and recommendations.

2.         The introduction lacks the necessary information that explains the importance and direction of the research. The paper needs to clarify the motivation, challenges, contribution, objective, significance, and others. All the information should be presented in chronological order.

3.         The section 2.2 within the manuscript is not well presented and formatted. Some sentences are missing. Please check them and correct them.

4.         The research gap is poorly identified in comparison to previous studies mentioned in the manuscript. Please, highlight the novelty of the methodology.

5.         Please draw a flowchart of all your study.

6.         The discussion section is poorly stated. It is required to have more profound discussion on the results.

7.         What are the implications of your study.

8.         Conclusion section – Rewrite the conclusion and consider the following comments: Highlight your analysis and reflect only the important points for the whole paper. Mention the benefits. Mention the implication at the last of this section. Mention also the limitation of your study and propose future recommendations.

9.         I suggested authors to remove all references prior to 2018, and replace them with new studies from 2018 to now.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderating english is required

Author Response

Dear reviewer 3,

Best thanks for your review, enclosed please find the  authors responses

with kind regards

M Jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript titled How Effective are Palm Fiber-Based Erosion Control Blankets (ECB) Against Natural Rainfall? by Mohamad Jahja, Ali Mudatstsir, Idawati Supu, Yayu Indriati Arifin, Jayanti Rauf, Masayuki Sakakibara, Tsutomu Yamaguchi, Andi Patiware Metaragakusuma, Ivana Butolo is written in clear and good English, dealing with a significant topic of great environmental interest. This research proposes using sugar palm fiber-based ECBs to reduce soil erosion and improve slope stabilization. This type of ECB prevented soil particle slips and the subsequent support of vegetation growth. The procedure applied is innovative and well-described. The results obtained are discussed and interpreted clearly. References recently published, confirming the actuality of the manuscript topic, are cited in accordance with the Journal´s rules.

Hence, I strongly recommend the article be published as it is.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer, 

Thank you very much for your review

As per your recommendation that publish as it is

kind regards

M Jahja

 

Reviewer 5 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1) Improve the summary with some results;

2) In the introduction, highlight the important points;

3) Improve the methodology by explaining the details of the experiments;

4) Check the measurement units;

5) When analyzing results, explore the results further;

6) Conclusion can be improved based on the results.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English needs to be improved, check the technical terms and agreements

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 5

Best thanks for reviewing our manuscript enclosed please find our responses

kind regards

M Jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

No more further questions.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1, 

best thanks for your 2nd round review that 

It is fine 

with best regards

M Jahja 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

accept

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2, 

Best thanks for your acceptance on our article 

with kind regards

M jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After carefully checked the manuscript, I have noticed that authors did not clearly answered the comments I have addressed. For instance, they didnot answer proper comments 2, 4, and 8. I suggested them to revise my whole comments again and this time put the answer of my comments in the response of reviewers comments instead of saying, the abstract is corrected or the discussion is added or the research gap is added. Put what you have added in the answer of my comment so that I can clearly see what you have done.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor English editing required

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 3,

Enclosed please find my authors note below, and I hope the manuscript can be consider for publication

with kind regards

M Jahja

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 3

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After carefully checked the revised manuscript, I could say that the authors have significantly improved the manuscript and I recommend it to be publish