Chapter 6 : River Training Works

6.1 River stages and need of river training

6.2 Types of river training works
6.3 Design of guide bund and launching apron
6.4 Design of spurs ( layout geometry, length spacing and cross
sections)
6.10 Stages of river and need of River training works (RTWs)

Stages of river :
Rivers are classified upon the topography of basin as
a) Rivers in hills (upper reaches)
b) Rivers in alluvial plains ( lower reaches)
a) Rivers in hills ( Upper Reaches) : Takes off from mountains and flow through hilly region.
i) Incised or Rocky river stage : The river channel is formed by the process of degradation of soil
particles from where they travel. Generally the river reaches are highly steep with high flow
velocity. The bed and banks of river are less susceptible to erosion as they passed the rocky and
non alluvium strata.
ii) Boulder river stage: The bed of the river consists of a mixture of boulder, gravels as well as
sand deposits created by itself. River flows through wide shallow beds and interlaced channels
and develops a straight course. During flood boulders , gravels , shingles are transported
downstream and when flood subsides such materials deposited in heaps. The flowing water
cannot be able to transport these heaps and water go round them and channel often wanders in
new direction as well as attacking the banks and widening the bed.
b) Rivers in alluvial flood plains
Rivers travels in the plain land in meandering fashion along the alluvial bed from one bank to another carrying sediments
similar to bed materials. The erosion of materials from concave bank of the bend and deposited to the convex side or between
the two successive bends.
1) Aggrading stage: If river is collecting sediments and building up its bed. ( siltation), straight and wide reaches with shoals
in the middle. Such river increases its bed slope. Siltation may be due to ; i) heavy sediment load ii) obstruction of flow
by weir, dam etc. iii) sudden inflow of sediments from its tributaries due to land slide etc.
2) Degrading stage: if the bed of river is getting scoured year to year.
3) Stable stage: if there is no silting or scouring the bed by attaining regime condition so that alignment and bed slope is
fixed.
4) Deltaic stage: River before joining sea it gets divided into branches forming delta Δ shape. As river approaches the sea, its
velocity decreases and consequently channel gets silted and water level rises and spill of water formed new channel.
5) Tidal river stage: the tail reaches of river joining the ocean are affected by the ocean tides. i.e. water from the ocean enters
the river and water level in the river rises by the tides.
River Training Works (RTWs): River training works are the structures constructed in the river bed or on the banks of the
river to modify the flow of river so thar river water can be effectively utilized and its harm to the hydraulic structures and
effect of flood can be minimized as well as to train the river flow along the desired direction without out flanking the structure
like bridge, dams, weirs or barrages etc.

a) Objectives of RTWs:
1. To fix the river flow direction through a definite route / reach.
2. To reduce the erosion of the river banks.
3. To control the flood of river so that surrounding areas can be prevented by constructing marginal
embankments.
4. To control and transport the sediment load.
5. To provide sufficient river water depth for navigation purpose.
6. To prevent outflanking of structures like bridges, weirs, syphons etc. by river water.
7. To stabilize the river course i.e. controlling the meandering trend of river.
b) Classification of river training works
i) High water training : Also called training for discharge i.e flood control structures are constructed.
ii) Mean water training : Called training for sediment load; effective and quick disposal of sediments.
iii) Low water training : Called training for depth ; minimum depth of water is provided for navigation by
encroaching the flow width.
Types of River Training Works

Following are the various types of river training works generally constructed .
1. Guide banks / Bell’s bunds.
2. Marginal embankments or Levees.
3. Spurs or groynes.
4. Artificial cutoff.
5. Pitched islands.
6. Bank protections.
7. Other miscellaneous structures: a) Bandalling b) Sills c) Widening the river d) Deeping the river by dredging.
1. Guide Bank / Bell’s Bund
It is the structure which is constructed on the river bed along the banks of river so that it permits river flow towards the
hydraulic structures such as bridges, weir/ dams in required direction. It was first designed by an American Mr. Bell so it is
also called bells bund. It reduces the river water from outflanking the hydraulic structure.it is extended towards both u/s and
d/s of hydraulic structure as shown in figure. The height of guide bank is provided above the HFL considering suitable free
board w.r.t. velocity of approach and afflux.
a) u/s curve head (impregnable head) b) d/s curve head (impregnable head) c) Shank d) slope and bed protection.
Guide Bank
Curvilinear Transition

Nose

stone pitching

Outer side water side (inner side

Flow Direction U/S

Shank

D/S

Plan
Guide Bank
Design of guide bank:
Lacey’s wetted perimeter (P) = 4.75 √ Q ; Horizontal Distance between two guide banks (L) = 1.2P
Particulars Q ≤ 20,000 m3/s Q > 20,000 m3/s

1. Length of guide bank u/s side of 1.25L 1.5L

hydraulic structure
2. Length of bank d/s side of H. Structure. 0.25L 0.40L

3. Free Board Generally: 1 to1.5m above HFL 1 to1.5m above HFL

4. Top width of Guide bank ≥ 3m ≥ 3m
5. Side Slope 2:1(H:V) 2:1 (H:V)

6. Radius of u/s curve head (R) 0.45L 0.45L

7. Radius of d/s curve head (r) 0.225 L = R/2 0.225 L = R/2
8. Angle of sweep u/s curve head 1200 to 1450 1200 to 1450
9. Angle of sweep d/s curve head 450 to 600 450 to 600
10. Stone pitching thickness (t) 0.06 Q^1/3 0.06 Q^1/3
11. Width of launching apron (WLa )= 1.5 D , D = xR –y , x= 2.25 for nose, x= 1.5 for curvilinear transition, x = 1.25 for
shank
12. Thickness of apron T = 1.9 t where, t = thickness of stone pitching.
Guide bank

1
u/s curve head / impregnable head
Tw F.B 1 Flow Direction
HFL R = 0.45L
outer side H 2:1 inner side
T= 1.90t 120 to 1450 1.25 to 1.5L
1.5 D 1.5 D

Slope pitching t = 0.06Q1/3 Launching apron 2 2 u/s side

Section at curve head 1-1 Shank

Tw F.B
Outer side inner side HFL

2:1 H t = 0.06Q1/3 45 to 600 0.25L d/s side

r = R/2
Section at Shank 2-2 Launching apron = 1.5D d/s curve head / impregnable head
Plan of a single guide bank
launching apron and slope pitching

^1/3
2.Marginal embankments / Levees

These are generally the earthen embankments / levees constructed on the bank of the river to control the flood water passing
into the near by areas. They retain the flood water and thus preventing spreading of water into the nearby land and towns.
They are provided with stone pitching along the water side and should be designed in such a way that the seepage gradient
must be kept inside the body of the embankments by at least 1m below its top surface.

2.5 to 3.50 FB
HFL
3:1 HG line 4:1 3:1 Stone pitching
water side
1m

for height below 2.5m

2.5m
3:1 HFL
3.0m 4:1 HG line 3:1 inner side
4:1
for height 2.5 to 3.25m
Marginal Embankments

2.5 to 3.5m
FB 1 to 3m HFL
3:1 4:1 HG line 3:1 inner side
4.5m stone pitching
4:1
Key trench

for height above 3.25m

3. Spurs / Groynes :
These are the embankment type structures constructed on the river bed from the bank of the river extended towards the width
direction into the river i.e. in transverse direction of flow. These structures help to divert / deflect the flow current from the
eroded bank and siltation pocket is formed near that bank and which is filled up by deposition of silts and river bed materials
in that pocket which helps to reclaim that bank later. The nose of the spurs / groynes are subjected to water current and has to
be protected by pitching. The u/s and d/s side of spur should be provided with the launching apron.

weaker bank Spur

U/S Flow direction D/S

stronger bank

Types of Groynes / Spurs:

a) Based on permeability of spurs
i) Impermeable spurs: These are the spurs of solid in nature that they do not let water to pass through their body. They may
be rockfill embankments or earthen embankments covered with stone pitching, concrete blocks etc. the head of groynes
need special protection and provided with launching apron as well as stone pitching. Their design is similar to that of
guide bank with an apron.
 1m thick stone pitching
3m
2:1

Sand and gravel fill launching apron

a) Normal section

3m Concrete block over pitching

2:1 stone pitching launching apron

sand and gravel fill

b) Section at Nose head
ii) Permeable groynes:
As from their name they permit water to pass from their body. They only obstruct flow reducing current of river causing silt deposition.
Therefore they used in rivers carrying huge sediment load in suspension. They also help to reduce erosive strength of flow and hence helps to
prevent local bank erosion. They are generally of submerged type so that they may not generate turbulence than if they are overtopped by water.
They are made by cheaper materials than permeable groynes. They may be
1. Timber / bamboo spur
2. Rock / stone filled spur a) filled in between wooden piles / stakes
b) filled in wire crates

b) Based on shape
1. Straight spur
2. Hockey shape spur Straight spur
3. T- shape spur

T- spur Hockey spur

c. Based on direction (function) of spur
i) Normal spur
It is aligned in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction extending from the bank of river. It reduces the flow current
rather than repelling or attraction water from or towards the bank and maintaining flow at center.

Flow

ii) Attracting Spur: This type of spur attracts water towards its side from where spur is constructed. Such spur is extended
from the stronger bank towards the direction of the flow as shown in figure. Angle of inclination ϴ is generally 60 to 800 with
horizontal as shown.

iii) Repelling spur : Such spur repels water towards the stronger bank. Spur is constructed on the weaker bank side which is
aligned towards the opposite direction of flow as shown in figure below. Angle of inclination is generally 10 to 30 0 with a line
normal to the bank.

ϴ
Design of spur:
Design of spur is similar to guide bank.
1. Length of spur L = 1.5 to 2 times depth of flow and usually restricted to 20% of width of river.
2. The embedded length of spur into the bank (le) = ¼ th to 1/3 rd of its total length
3. Inclination of spur i.e. angle of inclination ϴ = 10 to 300 with a normal line from the bank.
4. Spacing between two adjacent spurs = S = 2 to 2.5 times L OR S = 7 to 7.5 times h
where, h = vertical projection of spur exposed in the river. h = l x cosϴ ; where, l = L-le
6. Nos. of spur N = Lb/S +1 ; one or two additional spur should be provided u/s of eroded bank for its protection. Lb = length of
bank to be protected.
7. Top width of spur Tw = 3 to 6m.
9. Free board FB = 1 to 1.5m above HFL for non submerged spur.
10. Slope pitching is provided over 20 to 30cm of graded filter. Stone pitching Slope for shank 2:1 and 3:1 to 5:1 for head /
Nose.
11. Thickness of pitching t = 0.06Q1/3
12. Width of launching apron
i) for Shank / straight portion Wa= 1.5D ; D = xR-y, provided for both u/s and d/s along its full length for shank. x = 1.25
ii) for nose (head) Wa = 2.5D , D = xR – y , where x = 2.25
13. Thickness of apron T = 1.25t for shank and 1.5 t for head/ nose.
4. Artificial cutoff
When the meandering of river reaches to a extreme condition and develops into a horse shoe bend, it may be cut across the
neck at high flood and create a straight channel for itself naturally. But artificial cutoff is done in the similar manner for the
curved or meandered river flow bends to protect the valuable property / assets from river flow by providing artificial cut at the
neck point of curve and river water is diverted to flow through such straight cutoff portion.

Original channel Bell mounted cut at entry point

cutoff channel ( Pilot cut)

Sometimes when very heavy meandering develops near bridges and there is a danger of its encroaching too heavily into the
still water area or otherwise dangerously approaching the embankment, it becomes necessary to dig a cut-off channel which
will ultimately develop and help in the diversion of water through it. To make it economical, a pilot channel cut is usually
made when there is low flow in the river and full development of the channel takes place during the flood. This cut off
channel should preferably have (i) at least three times the river’s straight regime slope, and (ii) the upstream end should take
off from where the bed load of main channel has less than the average amount of coarse material i.e. from the active part of
the channel where the velocity is more. The entrance to the pilot cut should be bell shaped to facilitate entry of water. The
pilot cut should be designed to a deeper section such that R/L2 is greater for the cut than for the original course.
 5. Pitched islands
Artificial island crated in the river bed protected by revetment or stone pitching from all the sides. These island attracts the
flow and helps water to concentrate around them so that widened flow towards banks may divert towards center and maintains
deeper depth of flow in one hand in another they helps to maintain bifurcated channel into a single channel by attracting flow
towards them as shown in figure.
River flow

Pitched island
6. Bank pitching and launching apron ( falling apron) :
River banks are damaged by the river water waves. To protect the banks pitching works of stones, bricks or concrete blocks
can be used. The slope of pitching varying from 1:1 to 2:1 (H:V). To prevent under cutting of banks launching apron is
provided.
HFL

2:1 Boulder stone pitching on bank slopes. Thickness t

Launching apron = 1.5D

1.9t

2:1 D = Scour depth

Launching apron’s final position after falling into scour hole
T = 1.25t