WRE-423, Draft 2013 Dr. M.A.

Matin-WRE, BUET

D= 1.5*16.72-20.39
= 4.69 m.
 Length = 1.5D
1.5×4.69=7m at straight reach
D= 1.25×16.72-20.39=0.51 m
 length = 1.5×0.51  0.765  1.0m

Fig. Section X-X

Fig. Section Y-Y

a. Stone size, grading, filter as like revetment

Groynes/ Spurs:

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- Groyne is a structure constructed at an angle to the flow direction beginning at

the bank of a channel with a root and ending at the regulation line with a head.
Purpose:
i) to deflect flow water away from critical zone
ii) to prevent erosion of bank
iii) to establish a more desirable channel for flood control, navigation and erosion
control
iv) Used on braided rivers to establish a well defined channel that neither
aggrades, degrades nor shifts its location from year to year.
v) Used on meandering rivers to control flow into or out of a bend or through a
crossing.
Classification:

a) Based on submergence criteria:

i) Submersible groyne:
-Submersible groyne which are of low height and often go under water.
- induce scour at the d/s due to flow of water over them.
- sometimes dangerous to river traffic
-they are suitable for rivers
Carrying debris.
ii) Non-submersible groyne:
-which are of adequate height such that they will not be submersed ever at the height
flood condition in the river.

b) According to permeability the groynes can be classified as permeable and impermeable.

i) Permeable groyne:
- which are of porous construction and allow significant part of impinging flow to
pass through the body of the structure.
- it slows down the current
- most often fabricated from piles, bamboo or timbers.
- Most effective in alluvial rivers with considerable bed load and high sediment
concentration.

Fig.. Typical section of permeable groyne used in Bangladesh (after Alam and Faruque,
1986).

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Fig. Different types of groyne heads: (a) straight, (b) bell-head, (c) T-head,
(d) L-head, (e) Hockey-head

Impermeable groyne:
- They are solid construction and act as barrier to impinging flow.
- They deflect the current
- Gravel or gabions are used to construct impermeable groyne.
- Primarily used to protect sections of eroding bank and to push the river
towards a more suitable alignment.

Especially useful for main training navigable depths in streams

Composite Groyne

These groynes are combination of permeable and impermeable groynes (Fig 3.17). Generally,
the country side part (on floodplain) of the groyne is made impermeable to reduce the flow
velocity near the bank substantially whereas the riverside part is made permeable to reduce
flow convergence and hence lower scour depth around the groyne head.Such groynes were
constructed at Kamarjani in the Jamuna River.

Permeable part

Fig Composite groyne constructed in the Jamuna

(d) Classification Based on Submergence of Groynes

These are two types: (i) unsubmerged groynes and (ii) submerged groynes.

Unsubmerged groynes

A groyne with crest level of the shank above high water level is called unsubmerged groyne.
This type of groyne is normally constructed in Bangladesh. When impermeable and
unsubmerged, the maximum intercepted hydraulic loads and scouring occurs around the head
of the groyne, and maximum protection is required. Since the shank of the structure is not
overspilled, no protection is required at the crest of the shank.

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Submerged groynes

Submerged groynes are those where flow is allowed to pass over a considerable part of the
shank at high water stage. The groyne crest is normally set below the bankfull level or with a
sloping crest towards the river. Protection of the crest of groyne shank against erosion due to
flow velocity and wave is required in this case. The concentration of flow around the groyne
head is low to minimize the extent of maximum scour.

Fig impermeable gravel groyne.

c) Depending on Shape:
- three types:

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-
i) Straight groyne:
- Straight groynes are simple structures projecting straight into the river from
the bank.
- Usually the nose part of a straight groyne needs a little enlarging to
accommodate the required quantity of armouring material.
- Usually permeable.
-
ii)‘T’- head groynes:
- T- head groynes resembles in letter ‘T’ with the T-head posisioned in river
along the direction of flow.
- Usually impermeable.
iii) Hockey groyne:
- Hockey groynes having resemblance to Hockey sticks are special shaped
groynes having special applications.
- May be of both permeable and impermeable.

D) From functional point of view:

-Three types:
i) Attracting type groyne:
-Due to the intervention by the groyne, incident flow of the river is attracted towards
the bank.
-They are aligned at d/s facing direction.
- Usefull when the deep channel is required to be along and near a particular bank
reach.
ii) Repelling type groyne:
-These types of groynes repel the incident flow of the river in desired direction away
from the near bank.
-They are aligned at u/s facing direction.
-relatively long.
iii) Deflecting type groyne:
-These type of groyne of change the direction of the incident flow with a relatively
local effect and do not totally repel it away.
-They also aligned at u/s facing direction.
- There length are relatively small
-Widely used in indirect protective works against bank recessive forces.

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Selecting the Type of Groyne

A first step in the planning process of a bank protection with groyne is the selection of the
type of groyne:

. a single or a series of groynes;

. a permeable or a impermeable groyne, or,
. a submerged or a non-submerged groyne.

Groyne can be used single or in series. Their use in series arises if a long reach is to be
protected and depends also on the flow, deflecting or repelling. Furthermore, the flow pattern
between groynes built in series can be influenced by an optimized layout plan as are the
location and of scour. Permeable groyne have an advantage if placed in a series, because of
several permeable groynes, the reduction of the flow velocity near the bank will be enhanced
by properly selected spacing of the groynes. Impermeable groynes do not have this
advantage.

In a standard layout of a series of groynes all the groynes are similar regarding length, cross-
esction, orientation and the shape of the head of the groyne. However, often the most
upstream groyne is attacked by the flow stronger than the other downstream groynes, and in
that exe the design of that groyne should be adjusted. In principle a selection from different
options can be made for this adjustment: either the length of the groyne can be reduced, or the
orientation can be changed or the top layers can be stronger than those of the other
downstream groynes.

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Single groyne protect the bank downstream of the groyne over a relatively short distance
against bank erosion. Due to their sensitivity to change directions of flow attack, single
groynes are not recommended for general application.

To have a maximum effectivity on the flow during the maximum flood the groyne should not
be submerged. However, if the maximum effectivity of the groyne is required during lower
discharge, a submerged groyne can be cost effective, for example to improve the navigation
depth during low discharge. For special situations a combination of the mentioned types of
groyne is applied in one groyne, for example a submerged groyne head and a not submerged
shank of the groyne, or a permeable groyne head connected to a non-permeable shank to the
embankment.

Length and Spacing of Groyne

The length of groyne is governed by the shape of the cross-section of the river and the extent
of protection of the bank required. The latter leads obviously to a correlation with the spacing
of groynes when constructed in series. In case a single groyne is planned, its length must be
sufficient to protect the bank against erosion in the required area.

The width of the eross-section of the channel at bankful stage should be blocked partially by
a groyne to deflect the flow from existing bank, if no more bank erosion is allowed or
acceptable. Generally the length or the groyne is selected between 10% to maximum 50% of
that width. The length is often limited by the wish not to construct the groyne in the deepest
part of the channel close to the thalweg, because the cost per linear metre for construction in
deep water are high. Along outer bends often series of relatively short groynes are built,
because of the great water depths along the outer bend (bend scour and local scour).

In a mobile river, the selection of the length should be based on a morphologic prediction of
future development of the channel cross-section including future bank erosion and the
development of the thalweg of the channel. The basic length of the groyne of about 5 to 15%
of the channel width is increased by the width of the attached chars in front of the
embankment. The construction of a groyne on the attached chars is relatively cheap, because
of the small construction height and since most of the construction can be made in the dry.

Another approach can be applied if some bank erosion is acceptable. In such a case, the head
is designed at the existing bankline and length of the groyne includes the expected
embankment. The new embakment is retreated and designed with some safety with regard to
the extreme future bank line.

Experiences with groynes in Indian rivers show that a blockage of 30% of the channel width
at bankfull stage can be used as a guideline (Varshney et al., and Jogleker, 1971).

The ratio between length and spacing between the groynes is one of the most important
factors of the effectiveness of a groyne fields. In case groynes are spaced too far apart, the
current may return to the bank before the following groyne in the system is able to influence
the flow direction, resulting possibly in bank erosion or even loss of the next downstream
groyne. If groynes are spaced too closely together, the groyne system would be too costly for
its effectivity.

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In general practice is to relate the spacing of groynes to their length. Thespacing depends not
only on the length of the groyne, but also slightly on the orientation to the flow velocity, the
bank curvature, and purpose of the groynes.
General practice is a spacing of about 2 to 3 times the length of groynes. This rule includes
some safety for the bank erosion. In favourable conditions and without additional safety a
single groyne can protect 4 to 5 times the length of the groyne. An Indian guideline suggests
a spacing of the groynes by 0.1 to 0.15 of the meander length of an outflanking channel. If
the meander length is 15 to 30 times the channel. Width and length of the groyne is 30% of
the channel width, then the spacing is 0.6 to 1.5 times the length of the groyne.

For impermeable and permeable, non-submerged groynes along a straight bank, a spacing of
2.5 to 3 times the length of the groyne is recommended for bank protection. This
recommendation includes some safety.

On concave outer banks, groynes are to be placed closer together than on straight banks and
the design ratio should be reduced to 2 to 2.5. On a convex bank the spacing between the
groynes can be slightly more than the recommended spacing along a straight bank (as a first
indication a design ratio of 3 to3.5)

The ratio of spacing to the length of groynes required for bank protection only is less than
that required for navigation channels.

The length of the most upstream groyne of a series of groynes should be less than the
standard length of the downstream groynes, because of the strong attack on this upstream
groyne. The reduction in length depends on each individual situatin and no general
recommendation can be given.

For all special situations it is recommended to perform physical model tests to determine both
the optimal length of the groynes and their optimal spacing. In the design of the physical
model the actual and future morphological and hydraulic boundary conditions should be
taken into account as accurately as possible.

6.4.5 Shapes of the groyne Heads

Different riverside ends of the groynes, called groyne heads, are being applied, mainly to
reduce the scour of the river bed.

The main types of groyne heads of impermeable and not-submerged groynes are described in
the following:

Bell head
A strongly protected head is also called a bell-head. The separation of the flow can shift
easily along this head and consequently the direction the vortex street downstream of this
separation point. A bell head is often used if the direction of the approach flow is more or less
fixed.

T-head and L-head

Straight groynes with a rectangular vane at their heads are T-head or L-head groynes, they
give more guidance to the flow and define the separation of the flow at the downstream side
of the vane. The vane is oriented in such a way that it guides the flow. A T-head vane has tow

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wings with an equal length. If the groyne blocks a relatively high percentage of the cross
section (for example more than 30% a T-head reduces the risk of erosion at the opposite bank
downstream of the groyne. A long upstream wing can reduce the attack on the shank of the
shank of the groyne and allow a reduction of the strength of the top layer of the shank. The
wings have in general a strong top layer. In case there is only one wing they are called L-head
groynes. The effect of the latter ones can be to have larger sediment deposits between the
groynes, to provide a better protection to the bank and to have less scouring at their head. T-
head or L-head groynes are often built when the direction of the approach flow upstream of
the groynes can change due to the morphological development of the river channels.

Hockey-stick head

Groynes bent like a hockey stick at heir head are known as hockey shaped groynes which is a
combination of a short L-head with a bell head. Along the upstream side of the hockey stick
the flow seperation point can shift but the alignment to the flow reduces the intensity of the
vortex street and also reduces the local scour depth. This shifting of the flow seperation point
is generally not attractive because the flow pattern downstream of the groyne is not well
defined. A hockey-stick is applied if a very strong attack on the head is expected, stronger
than in case of a bell head, and if a small reduction of this attack allows the selection of a less
strong top layer of the head.

Since no general rules are available for determining the most convenient shape of the groyne
head as well as other dimensions depending on a number of different design parameters, it is
in many cases advisable to undertake physical model tests.

Cross section

A typical cross-section of a groyne depends on many consideration, one of the most

important ones being whether the groyne should be conceived as permeable or impermeable.

Permeable Groyne

Permeable groynes are generally constructed of timber, steel or reinforced concrete piles
driven or sunk into the river bed in one or several rows. The individual vertical piles are
mainly subject to horizontal loads, either on their total length by flow and wave attack or at
changing heights due to floating debris, etc. In order to absorb the decisive horizontal loads,
static and dynamic, it is advisable to have at least two rows of piles braced to each other by
traverses and diagonals, the dimensions of which should be designed in accordance with
standard rules of structural engineering. The spacing between the piles should be at least on
diameter; hence the minimum permeability would of 50% of the area. For a standard design a
maximum permeability of 70% is recommended, because of the effect on the flow field. Two
parallel rows of piles can be placed in two different positions relative to each other. No
recommendation is given for a certain arrangement.

The driving depth of the piles depends mainly on the subsoil conditions, the local scour hole
and the pile characteristics. A falling apron reduces the local scour between the piles and
reduces the depth of piles driven into the soil. The height of the piles is normally 1 meter
above the maximum design water level. In special cases the height of the piles can be reduced
to below this level which would result in a submerged permeable groyne during high floods.

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To drive inclined piles to absorb the horizontal toads is much more expensive than to drive
vertical piles and therefore only vertical piles are envisaged for a standard design in
Bangladesh.

The dimensions of the piles are determined according to the methods applied I structural and
soil mechanical engineering and the design conditions have to be carefully assessed for each
individual case.

To prevent local scouring close to the pile row a bed protection or a light falling apron of rip-
rap or boulders is recommended. By increasing the permeability of the pile row towards the
head of the groyne the maximum depth of the local scour hole can be significantly reduced,
this scour reduction being the main reason for applying permeable groynes.

Impermeable groyne

Standard cross sections of the shank of an impermeable groyne have a trapezoidal shape: two
sides slopes and a horizontal top. The top of an impermeable groyne should have a minimum
width of about 3 m, so that a truck can pass for maintenance. If the sides of the shank have a
protective top layer there slope should be designed as steep as the stability of the top layer
allows to minimise the area of the top layer. This results in slopes of 1:2 to 1:3 at the shanks.
A light falling apron or bed protection is recommended at the upstream side of the shank of
the groyne.

The side slope around the head of the groyne is same as the side slope of the shank if no
important scouring is expected. If a deep scour hole is predicted, than the depth scour hole
can be reduced by flattening the side slopes of the head of the groyne to about 1:3 to 1: 5 at
the head of an impermeable earth built groyne.

Due to different construction methods above and below the low water level, the designs of
the top layers of inclined slopes are often different above and below design low water level.
The top layer below low water level must have a rather flat slope (1:3 to 1:4) for stability
reasons or to reduce the scour depth, whereas the slope above design low water level may be
steeper to save space and construction material. The transition from one top layer design to
another is often less resistant to flow attack than the actual top layers. Therefore, a berm a
width of at least 1.5 m is designed at the transition.

The radius of the groyne head is determined by the effect of the head on deflection of the
flow, and the minimum radius may also be determined by the size of the top layer elements.
For example the spaces between concrete blocks of a layer should be limited to a certain
maximum value to safeguard their stability and interlocking properties.

The crest of an impermeable groyne can be designed at standard high water level with a
gentle slope of 1:100 towards the river along the axis of the groyne . This gentle slope
assures a gradual increase the submerged length of the crest during the rising limb of an
extreme flood, and local high flow velocities during the flood above the crest are prevented.
The crest of a permeable groyne may be either horizontal or have the same gentle slope as in
case of an impermeable groyne. In a special case, e.g. for deep water and/or strong flow and
wave attack, a steeper slope of the crest may also be appropriate.

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It must be stressed that the above mentioned slope are not only depending on the hydraulic
loads, but also on the construction material of the core and protection of the slope. In any
case detailed stability investigations are required in order to establish the required slope, as
well as estimations of settlements of the earth built dam depending mainly on the subsoil
conditions.

The existing river bed around a groyne should be protected from scouring by a bed protection
or a falling apron. A permanent bed protection has a length of about 1.5 times the scour depth
at the downstream edge of the bed protection. In practice this length proved to be sufficient to
guarantee the stability of the groyne.

6.4.7 Orientation of Groyne

Groynes facing downstream are not suitable for bank protection surface, since the current
may attack the root of the next downstream groyne endangering not only the root and the
surrounding bank area, but the whole groyne itself. Groynes placed normal to the flow may
protect only a small area. However, groynes facing upstream deflect the flow away from the
bank, and they are able to protect bank areas upstream and downstream of themselves. Thus
deflecting groynes seem to be best suited for bank protection or sedimentation purposes.
Design guidelines recommend angles of 1000 to 1200 to the flow, however, also the form of
the bank, that means concave or convex, must be taken into consideration. In straight reaches
groynes may be pointed upstream as much as 1050 to 1100. Typical design of a groyne is
shown in fig.6.1

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Design Problem (from S.K Grag’s Book)

Design a groyne for bank protection.

Design Data:

Place: Bhairab Bazar site on Meghna river.

Discharge - Bank full : 16,000 cumes
-100 year flood : 18000 cumes
Highwater level - Bankfull :7.00 m PWd
- 100 year flood : 7.89 m PWD
Average low water level : 1.22 m PWD
Average flow velocity :3.00 m/s
Average size of bed material :0.052 mm.
Average river bed level : - 12.50 PWD

Solution

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1. Length and spacing:

Q = 16,000 cumec
V = 3m/s
Depth of flow Y = H.W.L – R.B.L
= 7.00m-(-12.50)m
=19.5m.

Assuming a wide river,

Q
Width of river, w =
UY

16000

3  19.5
 273m

We choose w= 300m

Length of groyne choose as 30% of width

30
L   300  90m
100
Spacing taking as 2.5 times length

S  2 . 5  L  2 . 5  90

225m
2. Design cross-sections:
-Top layer taken as 5.0 m wide
- Slope taken as 2 : 1
-Thickness of stone pitching

3
T  0 . 06 Q
0 . 06 3 16000
 1 .5 m
-Scour depth
D=Khr-Y
1
3
Q 
hr  0 . 47  
 f 
f  1 . 76 d

 1.76  0.052
 0.40

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1
3
 16000 
hr  0.47 
 0.40 

16.0m.
D  Khr  Y

 1.5  16.0  19.5

 4.5m.

Allowing 1.5 m free board, elevation of Groyne crest  height of groyne top above bed =
8.5-(-12.5) = 21m.

Assignment:- Sketch the required cross sections and plan-view with dimension.

River Restoration
What is River Restoration?

River restoration is the act of working with a degraded river or stream in order to
return it to a pre-disturbed condition. A disturbance is anything that disrupts a
stream and knocks it out of equilibrium. Common disturbances in Lancaster

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County result from suburban sprawl and agriculture. These land use practices
cause excess sediment, nutrients, and chemicals to run into the water. Restoration
projects work on different scales. A reach is a small section of a stream, while a
corridor is the entire length of the stream.

Watersheds
A watershed is an area of land that contributes water to a common network of
streams. Watershed boundaries or "divides" occur along high points in the
landscape that separate different stream networks. Large watersheds are composed
of many smaller watersheds upstream of the primary river in the network. All
streams in the Little Conestoga watershed flow into the Conestoga River, then into
the Susquehanna River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Each stream or river
in the watershed is called a tributary of the larger river downstream.

Types of Restoration
There are many components to stream restoration. Most common efforts focus on
stream bank stabilization, enhancing riparian buffers by adding trees and natural
grasses, the removal of dams and other man-made structures, adding meanders, and
stocking the river with fish or other living organisms.

Streambank Stabilization
Basic streambank stabilization may involve placing large cobbles or boulders along
banks and replanting native vegetation. More sophisticated stabilization
procedures include "vegetated geogrids," where alternating layers of live branches,
called fascines, are buried along the stream bank. These can be installed along
with "live stake" cuttings inserted upright into the soil. Banks can further be
stabilized using "biologs" (bundles of coconut fibers) placed at the bottom of a
stream bank to hold the bank in place. "Rootwads" are uprooted trees installed into
the stream bank with the roots facing into the channel. These structures encourage
different speeds of water flow where different organisms can live. They also serve
to trap sediment, stop erosion, and prevent damaging effects from pollution.

Riparian Buffers
Planting trees and grasses creates a "green sponge" that filters water flowing into
the stream and traps excess sediment. Sediment is problematic because it blocks
light to underwater vegetation and lowers the water oxygen levels that fish and
other organisms need to survive. These sponges are called riparian buffers.
Riparian buffers are planted next to streams and are ideally 20 to 30 feet wide on
either side of the river.

Dam Removal
Small dams and other structures were put into place around Lancaster to power
mills. However, most dams are unnecessary today. Dams harm streams by

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blocking fish from their native spawning grounds. They also make stream
channels wide and narrow because they prevent different sizes of bedrock from
traveling downstream. Many times, dam removal is the first step in restoration
because other efforts are useless without it.

Meander Bend Replacement

Meanders are natural stream bends. Streams are "lazy" and want to do the least
work possible. Meanders distribute energy equally and allow the stream to move
water and sediment while doing a minimum amount of work. Meanders include
areas of different water depth and speeds, called pools and riffles. Pools are
deeper, with slow moving water, while riffles are shallower, with faster moving
water. Pools and riffles provide different habitats that are important to organisms.
When streams are straightened to convenience humans, they lose their pools and
riffles, and ultimately their diversity of habitat. Meanders are crucial to stream
health and are a necessary component in restoration projects.

Fish friendly
The last step in restoration projects is to actually stock restored streams with fish.
Many of the leaders of the stream restoration efforts are fishermen who want to
bring trout back to streams. Without the physical types of restoration described
here, this would not be possible. Streams need to be able to provide habitat and
food before they can support living organisms.

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