Stabilization of Angular-Shaped Riprap under Overtopping Flows
Riprap is mostly used to prevent erosion by flows down the steep slopes in river engineering. A total of 53 stability tests performed on angular riprap with a median stone size ranging from 15 to 278 mm and slope ranging from 1 to 40% are used in this study. The existing equations for the prediction of medium size of angular stones are checked for their accuracy using the available data. Predictions of median size using these equations are not satisfactory and results show deviation by more than ±20% from the observed values. A multivariable power regression analysis is performed to propose a new equation relating the median size with unit discharge, bed slope, riprap thickness and coefficient of uniformity. The proposed relationship satisfactorily predicts the median angular stone size with ±20% error. Further, the required size of the rounded stone is more than the angular stone for the same unit discharge and the ratio increases with unit discharge and also with embankment slope of the riprap. Keywords—Angularity, Gradation, Riprap, Stabilization
Riprap Design for Overtopping Flow
Near‐prototype flume studies were conducted in which riprap‐protected embankments were subjected to overtopping flows. Embankment slopes of 1, 2, 8, 10, and 20% were covered with riprap layers with median stone sizes of 1, 2, 4, 5, and/or 6 in. Each riprap layer was tested by slowly increasing the discharge to failure. Riprap design criteria for overtopping flows were developed for estimating incipient stone movement and riprap layer failure as a function of the unit discharge, stone shape, median stone size, and embankment slope. Incipient stone movement occurred at approximately 74% of the riprap layer failure unit discharge. It was determined that rounded shape stone should be oversized approximately 40% to provide comparable protection of an angular shape stone. Flow channelization was observed to occur at approximately 88% of the unit discharge at failure. A flow concentration factor of approximately 1 to 3 was introduced for sizing stone.
Experimental investigation of the geotechnical properties and microstructure of lime-stabilized saline soils under freeze-thaw cycling
Abstract The Song-Nen Plain in northeastern China holds one of the three largest expanses of soda saline-alkali soil in the world. Due to its disadvantageous geotechnical properties, the saline soil in this area is unable to meet the needs of construction projects. This study evaluates the stabilizing effect of adding lime to such soils. Specifically, it investigates how the physicochemical and mechanical properties and microstructure of soda saline-alkali soil are altered by lime and how these changes are affected by both freeze-thaw cycling and the duration of curing. The results reveal that adding lime to saline soil transforms clay particles into sand and silt particles and causes the pore size distribution (PSD) to become bimodal, with small-pore and macropore populations. An increase in lime content leads to an increase in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) but a gradual decrease in both the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and plastic index. Freeze-thaw cycles break up coarse particles and aggregate finer particles, increasing the diameter of macropores and decreasing the USC; however, the effect on specimens with >9% lime is negligible. It is further shown that the geotechnical properties of the soil change immediately after the addition of lime, indicating that the cation exchange reaction takes place very quickly. Furthermore, the pozzolanic reaction leads to an increase in the percentage of sand-sized particles and a decrease in porosity after 28 days of curing. Overall, these results indicate that it is feasible to use lime to improve the engineering properties of soda saline-alkali soil in this area.