Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #58478
Title: STABILITY OF ROCK CHUTES

Author
item Robinson, Kerry
item Rice, Charles
item Kadavy, Kem

Submitted to: American Society of Civil Engineers Hydraulic Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Rock chutes or riprap-lined channels are used to safely transmit runoff water to a lower elevation. These chutes can offer economic and aesthetic advantages over alternativve structures. The research was conducted to determine the rock size necesssary for a given flow rate and channel slope. The research provided a data set of stable rock sizes for various discharges and slopes. A prediction equation was developed from these dat to allow the design of stable rock chutes. This research will be of value to public and private engineers responsible for chute design and maintenance.

Technical Abstract: The stability of rock chutes or riprap-lined channels was examined in three separate flumes. Six predominantly angular rock sizes with a D50 ranging from 15 to 155 mm were tested to failure on slopes of 10, 12.5, 16.6, 22.2, and 40%. Chute stability increased as the stone size increased and as the bed slope decreased. Data are provided summarizing the material lproperties and the observed highest stable discharge. An empirical relationship was developed to predict the highest stable unit discharge as a function of the material D50 and the bed slope.