Author(s): Foohoatlim; Yeemeng Chiew
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to examine the failure behavior of a riprap layer around a cylindrical bridge pier. The study shows that the inherent flexibility of a riprap layer can offer a self-healing process. It helps to reduce further erosion under a steady flow condition; and an equilibrium state is attained when the erosion ceases. When the flow velocity is increased steadily, observations show that the riprap layer will eventually fail in two modes: total disintegration and embedment. The failure occurs when the erosion power is higher than the self-healing ability. The study shows that the eventual failure mode can be determined by comparing the relative magnitude of the critical shear velocity of the bed sediment and the adjusted threshold velocity of the riprap layer.
Year: 1997