SWE 301– SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ENGINEERING (2+1)

L. No. 12 : Erosion control measures - mechanical or engineering measures – bunds, terraces, trenches

Part- A : Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ type - 0.5 mark)

1. The choice of contour or graded bunds depend upon the

A
Rainfall B) Soil condition
)
C D
Types of outlets All the above
) )
2. Graded bund can be adopted in area with rainfall
A
> 200 mm B) < 500 mm
)
C D
> 500 mm > 400 mm
) )
3. How many types of graded bunds are present
A
2 B) 4
)
C D
3 5
) )
Which type of graded bunds are provided when the length of the bunds and discharge are
4.
more.
A
Uniform graded bunds B) Variable graded bunds
)
C D
Non uniform graded bunds None of the above
) )
5. The broad base terrace has a ridge of __________ high
A
20 to 40 cm B) 35 to 50 cm
)
C
25 to 50 cm D) 25 to 30 cm
)
6. Which type of terraces is made in the lands having a slope above 6% and up to 10%.
A
Broad based terrace B) Channel type terraces
)
C
Levelled type terrace D) Narrow based terraces
)
7. The ______________ combines an element of erosion control with surface drainage.
A
Broad based terrace B) Contour bund
)
C
Bed and furrow system D) Graded bund
)
____________ are natural and constructed water courses covered with erosion resistant
8.
grasses used to conduct surface water from crop land.
A
Vegetative waterways B) Contour bund
)
C
Channel type terraces D) Graded bund
)
 9. Intermittent trenching are adopted in areas with
A
Low rainfall B) Medium rainfall
)
C
High rainfall D) All the above
)
10. They are constructed in lands having slopes between ____________ and above.
A
10 and 20 % B) 10 and 16 %
)
C
15 and 25 % D) 15 and 20 %
)

Part- B : Very Short Answers type Question (1 Mark)

1. What are contour bunds?

Bunds are simply embankment like structures, constructed across the land slope.
When they are constructed on the contour of the area called as contour bund.

2. What are graded bunds?

When a grade is provided to the contour bund then they are known as graded bund.

3. What are types of graded bunds?

 Uniform graded bunds.
 Variable graded bunds.

4. Where does uniform graded bunds are adopted?

Uniform graded bunds are suitable when the length of the bund is less and discharge in
the channel is less.

5. Where does variable graded bunds are adopted?

Variable graded bunds are provided when the length of the bunds and discharge are more.

Part - C : Short Answer type Questions (2 Marks)

1. What are broad based terraces and give the criteria for constructing the same.

A broad base terrace is a broad surface channel or embankment constructed across the
slope of the rolling land for reducing runoff erosion and for moisture
conservation.
The broad base terrace has a ridge of 25 to 50 cm high and 5 to 9 m wide gently sloping
on both sides.

2. Give the classification of broad based terrace.

 Channel type terrace.
 Leveled or ridged type terrace.

3. What is bed and furrow system and where can it be adopted?

The bed and furrow system combines an element of erosion control with surface
drainage. The beds could be of different dimensions to suit cropping patterns
adopted.
 4. What is the purpose and criteria for the construction of vegetative waterways?
 Purpose:
To convey runoff without causing erosion or flooding
To improve water quality.
 Criteria:
Amount of water conveyed will not exceed vegetated channel design with respect to
erosion and flooding.

5. Name some engineering measures for controlling erosion in hill slopes.

 Contour trenching and afforestation.
 Bench terracing.
 Stone terracing/contour stone wall

Part - D : Essay type Questions (3 Marks)

1. Give the classification of bench terracing in detail.

Types of bench terrace (depending upon the purposes)
i. Hill type bench terrace – used for hilly areas with a reverse
ii. Irrigated bench terrace – level benches adopted under irrigated conditions
iii.Orchard bench terrace – narrow width terraces (about 1m) for individual trees

Types of bench terrace (depending upon the slope)

i. Bench terraces sloping outwards
ii. Bench terraces sloping inwards
iii. Bench terrace with level top
iv.
2. Give some advantages of bed and furrow system.
 No land is taken out of production
 Beds can be maintained easily by minimal tillage
 Surface of bed dries quickly facilitating easy planting
 Soil on bed is friable throughout cropping season.

3. Explain the construction of stone terrace briefly.

 In this, cut stones of size around 20 cm are dry packed across the hill slope to form a
regular shape of random rubble masonry.
 After construction it should be stable enough so that a man can walk on it. They are
constructed in lands having slopes between 10 and 16% and above.
 The spacing between two successive stone walls is 10 to 15 m.

4. What is contour trenching and how it is classified?

 Contour trenching implies excavating trenches along the contour or along a uniform
level.
 Contour trenches are used for both on hill slopes as well as degraded and bare waste
lands for soil and moisture conservation and afforestation purposes.
Trenching on slopes exceeding 20% is not advisable
1) Continuous trenching – in low rainfall area; require careful layout
2) Intermittent trenching – in high rainfall areas

5. What are the types of bench terraces?

 Level and table top.
  Sloping inward.
 Sloping outward.
 Puertorican type terrace.

V. FIVE MARK QUESTIONS

1. Explain about the various engineering measures used to control the soil erosion in plains.

Contour bunding and Graded bunding:

 Bunds are simply embankment like structures, constructed across the land slope. When they are
constructed on the contour of the area called as contour bund.
 Bunds are simply embankment like structures, constructed across the land slope. When they are
constructed on the contour of the area called as contour bund and when a grade is provided to
them then they are known as graded bund.

Broad bed terraces:

 A broad base terrace is a broad surface channel or embankment constructed across the slope of
the rolling land for reducing runoff erosion and for moisture conservation.
 The broad base terrace has a ridge of 25 to 50 cm high and 5 to 9 m wide gently sloping on both
sides and a channel along the upper side, constructed to control erosion by diverting runoff at a
non-erosive velocity. It is classified as graded i.e.
a) Channel type terrace and
b) Leveled or ridged type terrace.
Bed and Furrow system:

 The bed and furrow system combines an element of erosion control with surface drainage. The
beds could be of different dimensions to suit cropping patterns adopted.

Vegetative water ways:

 Vegetative waterways are natural and constructed water courses covered with erosion resistant
grasses used to conduct surface water from crop land.
 Water ways are the foundation of water management for all erosion control practices. They are
used to handle natural concentration of runoff.

2. Explain about the various engineering measures used to control the soil erosion in hills
slopes.

Contour trenching:

 Contour trenching implies excavating trenches along the contour or along a uniform level.
 Contour trenches are used for both on hill slopes as well as degraded and bare waste lands for
soil and moisture conservation and afforestation purposes.
 Trenches break the land slope, reduce the velocity of surface runoff retard its scouring action
and carrying capacity.

Bench Terracing:

 Bench terracing consists of constructions of series of platform along contours cut into hill slope
in a step like formation.
 These platforms are separated at regular intervals by vertical drops or by steep sides and
protected by vegetation and sometimes packed by stone retaining walls.

Stone Terracing/ Contour Stone wall:

 In this, cut stones of size around 20 cm are dry packed across the hill slope to form a regular
shape of random rubble masonry.
 After construction it should be stable enough so that a man can walk on it.
 They are constructed in lands having slopes between 10 and 16% and above.