Evaluation of Stream Grade Control Structures in Loess Soil Region
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 125, Issue 8
Abstract
Grade control structures are used extensively to control river channel degradation. Although their use is widespread, the durability and performance of these structures, namely, sheet pile, H-pile, rock sill, and concrete block weirs have not been systematically evaluated. In this study, stream grade control structures in a loess area (western Iowa) were quantitatively evaluated with a performance number system to determine their field conditions and durability. For these evaluations, two dimensionless parameters (erosion control ratios and discharge ratios) were developed to correlate field observations and measurements. Structures that experienced small flows performed relatively well, whereas those that carried large discharges had poor performance. The stability of riprap decreases as the discharge ratio increases. Better riprap performance was obtained at structures with greater erosion control ratios. Based on these evaluations, problems associated with the structures were identified. In-channel movement of rock riprap was found to be a prevalent problem. Considerations for future designs and construction are recommended. The evaluation method and procedure can be applied to loess soil regions in the central United States and other regions worldwide. The information gathered can be used to guide field surveying and modeling studies.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Abt, S. R., and Johnson, T. L. (1991). “Riprap design for overtopping flow.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 117(8), 959–972.
2.
Abt, S. R., Ruff, J. F., Wittler, R. J., and LaGrone, D. L. (1987). “Gradation and layer thickness effects on riprap.” J. of Hydr. Engrg., ASCE.
3.
Baumel, C. P., Morris, L. L., McVey, M. J., Yang, X. (1994). “Impacts of degrading western Iowa streams on private and public infrastructure costs.” Proj. Rep., Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
4.
Gupta, R. S. (1995). Hydrology and hydraulic systems. Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, Ill.
5.
HEC-1 User Manual. (1981). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
6.
Little, W. C., and Daniel, R. C. (1982). “Design and construction of low drop structures.” Proc., Conf. on Applying Res. to Hydr. Practice, ASCE, Reston, Va.
7.
Little, W. C., and Murphey, J. B. (1982). “Model study of low drop grade control structures.”J. Hydr. Div., ASCE, 108(10), 1132–1147.
8.
Lohnes, R. A., Klaiber, F. W., and Dougal, M. D. (1980). “Alternate methods of stabilizing degrading stream channels in western Iowa.” ISU-ERI-Ames No. 81047, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
9.
Rice, C. E., Robinson, K. M., and Kadavy, K. C. (1996). “Rock riprap for grade control.” Proc., North Am. Water and Envir. Congr., ASCE, Reston, Va.
10.
Robinson, K. M., Rice, C. E., and Kadavy, K. C. ( 1995). “Stability of rock chutes.” Water resources engineering, Vol. 2, ASCE, Reston, Va., 1476–1480.
11.
Rossmiller, R. L., Lohnes, R. A., Ring, S. L., Phillips, J. M., and Barret, B. C. (1983). “Design manual for low water stream crossings.” ISU-ERI-Ames No. 84029, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
12.
Voegele, D. M. ( 1997). “The evaluation of riprap and low-cost grade control structures in western Iowa,” MS thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
13.
Wang, S. Y., Langendoen, E., and Shields, F. D., Jr. ( 1997). “Management of landscapes disturbed by channel incision, stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration.” University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, Miss.
14.
Wittler, R. J. ( 1994). “Mechanics of riprap in overtopping flow,” PhD dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
History
Received: Dec 29, 1997
Published online: Aug 1, 1999
Published in print: Aug 1999
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.