Centre for Civil Engineering Research and Codes

Design manual for

pitched slope protection

Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management

Road and Hydraulic Engineering Division

Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management

DESIGN MANUAL
FOR PITCHED SLOPE
PROTECTION

A.A. B A L K E M A / ROTTERDAM / BROOKFIELD /1995

C U R / T A W Report 155
Centre for Civil Engineering Research and Codes
Technical Advisory Committee on Water Defences

CUR and all contributors to this publication have taken every possible care by the preparation
of this publication. However, it can not be guaranteed that this publication is complete and/or
free of faults. The use of this publication and data from this publication is entirely for the user's
own risk and CUR hereby excludes any and all liability for any and all damage which may
result from the use of this publication or data from this publication, except insofar as this
damage is a result of intentional fault or gross negligence of CUR and/or the contributors.

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Published and distributed for CUR. Gouda by
A.A. Balkema, RO. Box 1675. 3000 BR Rotterdam. Netherlands (Fax: +31.10.4135947)
A.A. Balkema Publishers. Old Post Road. Brookfield. VT 05036, USA (Fax: 802.276.3837)
ISBN 90 5410 606 9
1995 CUR. Gouda
Printed in the Netherlands

FOREWORD
The "Guidelines for Concrete Dike Revetments*' appeared in 1984 as a joint publication of the Technical Advisory Committee on Water Defences (TAW) and CUR
(Report I 19). The manual did not treat design aspects in detail because fundamental
research into the stability of pitched slope protection was still in progress. By 1988
this research had reached a stage at which T A W and CUR set up a commission with
the terms of reference to prepare a practical review of the results of the research with
particular reference to design aspects.
The CUR C 74 "Concrete Dike Revetments" Research Commission, set up at the end
of 1988. was given the following tasks:
- to check the design criteria obtained by research against practical experience,
- to adapt the design criteria into a practical and concise form and to promote the
application of criteria still to be formulated, and
- based on the newly acquired understanding of the subject to establish a better
inventory of pitched revetments.
The original aim of preparing a "Guidelines for Concrete Dike Revetments - Part 2"
has been changed for the following reasons:
- In the past all official T A W publications have been referred to as "guidelines".
Recently however it was decided that books which establish the stale of the art
should be called "manuals", the term "guidelines" now being reserved for publications which set out legal frameworks and policy (hence the title of the present
manual).
- The present manual covers pitched dike revetments which can be of concrete or
stone. Although block mattresses are also considered the Commission is of the
opinion that the present title, "Design Manual for Pitched Slope Protection", gives
a better impression of the contents than the original title.
- Since 1984, when the old "Guidelines for Concrete Dike Revetments" was published, the understanding of the subject has grown to such an extent that the
present manual should not be regarded as a supplement (as Part 2) to the original
guidelines but rather should be seen as an independent publication.

The Commission comprised:

Ir. K.W. PILARCZYK. Chairman

Prof. Dr. Ir. E.W. BIJKER, Advisor

Ir. M . KLEIN BRETELER, Secretary/Reporter (from October 1989)
Ir. G . J . H . VERGEER, CUR Coordinator
Ir. K.J. BARKER
Ir. A. BEZUIJEN
Ing. K.J.J. BRAND

Ir. A . M . BURGER. Secretary (up to October 1989)

Ing. M . J . GIEJAM

Ing. A . M . HENDRIKSMA (up to December 1989)

Ir. J.A. HERNANDEZ

mr. J.CP. JOHANSON (from July 1989)

Ing. G.J. LAAN
Ing. T.J. LEENKNEGT
Ing. L . A . PIIIEIPSE
Ing. D. POES

The manual was written by Ir. M . KLEIN BRETEEER of Delft Hydraulics, with contributions by members of the Commission. Thanks are expressed to all who have contributed to the preparation of the manual. CUR and TAW would like to thank the
Netherlands Cement Industry Association for its financial support.
March 1995

Centre for Civil Engineering Research and Codes

Technical Advisory Committee on Water Defences

CONTI-NTS

Chapter

NOTATION

SUMMARY

'6

GLOSSARY

17

INTRODUCTION

23

I. I
1.2

General
The layout of the manual

23
25

Chapter

RCVETMENT SYSTEMS

28

Chapter

AREAS OF APPLICATION

35

Chapter

SPECIFICATIONS EOR REVETMENTS AND SUBLAYERS

4.1
4.2
4.3

Functional specifications
Concrete quality
Construction and maintenance specifications

MATERIALS AND THEIR SPECIFICATIONS

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9

Introduction
Cover layers
Granular filters
General aspects
Description of materials
Bonded filters
Washed-in material
Grouting mortars
Geotextiles
Clay
Sand

EXTERNAL LOADS

6.1
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6

Introduction
Wind waves
Characterisation of wave fields
Design wave height and period
Ship waves
Currents with no waves
Wave action
Exceptional loads

Chapter

Chapter

37

37
39
40
42

-12
42
49
49
54
57
59
61
62
63
67
68

68
69
69
72
K4
88
90
91

Chapter

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS FOR THE STRUCTURE

AS A WHOLE

7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6

Chapter

Chapter

Chapter

7.8
7.8.1
7.8.2

Introduction
Wave run-up
Slope angle
Berms
Toe structures
Upper edge of the revetment
The shape of the slope below a berm
Construction aspects
General
Block mattresses

REVETMENT STABILITY

8.1
8.2
8.2.1
8.2.2
8.2.3
8.3
8.4
8.4.1
8.4.2
8.4.3
8.5
8.6
8.6.1
8.6.2
8.7
8.7.1
8.7.2
8.7.3

Introduction
Description of the physical processes
Failure mechanisms
Loading and strength
Leakage length
Design criteria
Revetment design involving wind wave loads
Review of various methods
Preliminary Design Method
The Analytical Design Method
Design method for ship waves
Design method for crest revetments
Design for loads due to overtopping How
Design for wave loads
Other design aspects
Loads on toe and anchor structures
Blocks laid on clay
Penetration of sand and silt from the foreshore

GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF REVETMENT DESIGN

9.1
9.2
9.3

Introduction
Local sliding caused by maximum wave run-down
Local sliding due to wave impact

10

TRANSITION STRUCTURES

10.1
Introduction
10.2
Specifications for transition structures
10.2.1 Functional specifications

94

94
94
101
101
103
104
105
106
'06
Ill
113

113
113
113
117
120
1 24
128
128
130
139
157
158
158
158
159
159
162
163
164

164
165
172
175

175
176
177

10.2.2 Construction specifications

10.2.3 Management and maintenance specifications
10.3
Examples of transition structures between two types of
revetments

179
180

10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7

Examples of toe structures

Structures which limit the extent of damage
Berms
Vertical transitions

187
192
192
194

Chapter

II

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

196

Chapter

12

EXAMPLES OF DAMAGE TO PITCHED BLOCK REVETMENTS

204

12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5

Introduction
A review of damage inventory data
Damage at transition structures
Damage case studies
Repairing damage

13

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4

Introduction
Stochastic variables
Allowable failure probability for a revetment
Residual strength and design procedures

Chapter

13.4.1 Introduction

13.4.2 Design procedure for structures with a negligible residual

strength
13.4.3 Guarantee of sufficient residual strength
13.4.4 Combination of large and small residual strength in one
cross-section
13.5
Sensitivity analysis
Chapter

Chapter

14

CHECKING THE SALEIY OE EXISTING STRUCTURES

14.1
14.2
14.3
14.4
14.5

Introduction
Data based on experience
General checking
Detailed checking
Advanced checking

15

CALCULATION EXAMPLES

15.1
15.2
15.3

Introduction
Basic assumptions
Calculations for the wave loads on the toe of the dike

181

-04
204
205
206
213
214

214
216
217
220
220

222
224
225
226
228

228
230
231
234
235
236

236
236
238

15.4
15.5
15.6

Preliminary design and choice of cover layer

Detailed design using the Analytical Design Method
Toe and transition structures

16

GAPS IN PRESENT KNOWLEDGE

258

REFERENCES

261

APPENDICES

265

Appendix A

DEPTH RESTRICTED WAVE HEIGHT

265

Appendix B

CALCULATION OF CREST LEVEL FOR DIFFERENT FORMS OF SLOPE . . . 2 6 7

Appendix C

LEAKAGE LENGTH

Appendix D

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRREGULAR AND REGULAR FAILURE

Chapter

240
242
255

268

WAVE HEIGHTS

270

Appendix E

M A X I M U M ALLOWABLE CURRENT VELOCITY OVER THE CREST

271

Appendix F

CREST STABILITY WITH OVERTOPPING WAVES

273

Appendix G

THE EFFECT OF TRANSITION STRUCTURES

274

Appendix H

PERMEABILITY OF A COVER LAYER WITH HOLES AND/OR

A GEOTEXTILE

H I
H2
H3
Appendix 1

Introduction
Permeability of pitching with holes and/or a geotextile
Calculation example
BACKGROUND TO THE "RULES OF THUMB" FOR ESTIMATING THE
MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHT IN SHALLOW WATER

11
12

280

280
283
285

Significant wave height

Wave height with a small percentage exceedance

292

293
296

NOTATION
A
A
A
a
B
B
h
b ,b
b
b
b
C
C
CW
CW
c
c
D
D
c

N1

b 9 0

average column or block area

[rrr]
area of the wet channel (canal) cross-section
[nr]
wet cross-sectional area of the beam of a ship
[nr]
co-ordinate up the slope
[m]
berm width
[m]
ship's beam
[m]
thickness of the filter layer
fm]
thickness of Filler Layers I and 2
[m]
thickness o f the minestone layer
[m]
thickness of the filler layer
[m]
width of the navigation channel at the water surface
[m]
model coefficient
beam coefficient
[-]
market value
[Dfl]
market value factor
[Dfl]
constant
[-]
coefficient
[-]
thickness of the cover layer (block thickness)
[m]
grain size of the base (sand). 90 % by weight of which is less than
the slated size
[m]
grain size of the base (sand), x 7< by weight of which is less than
the stated size
[m]
grain size of the filter, 15 % by weight of which is less than the stated size [m]
grain size of the filter, x % by weight of which is less than the staled size [m]
hole diameter
[mj
grain size of the material in the hole or joint (washed-in material).
15 % by weight of which is less than the stated size
[m]
grain size of the material in the hole (washed-in material).
15 % by weight of which is less than the stated size
[m]
grain size of the material in the joint (washed-in material).
15 /r by weight of which is less than the stated size
[m]
(

b x

D
D
D,.
D |
fiS

lx

vl5

v | S s

vi5kar i " <Ai.s) - W i ) - see Section 13.4.2

D
grain size of the filler layer. 15 /c by weight which is less than the
staled size
el
ruling water depth - see Figure 49
d
water level behind the dike relative to the crest
d
water depth on the berm (' the berm is above still water level, d < o)
</
water depth on the crest
d
depth of the lower and upper limit of the pitching below the still
water line (if the pitching is above SWL. d is negative)
2

[m]

u l 5

[m]
[m]
[m]
[m]
[m]

[m]

d
<7
0

d
e
F
F
F
F
Fj
F
F
t

F
F
g
H
H
H
H

/^kruin

H
H

H
H^
H,
/,,
//
h
//
h
h
boh
/
r
i
i
/"
i
skai

water level in front of the dike relative to the crest

[m]
level (relative to the still water line) where the pressure head difference
on the cover layer is the maximum = the intersection of the pressure
head difference front and the slope relative to the still water line
[m]
water depth at the toe of the slope, see Figure 49
[m]
natural logarithm base = 2.718
load on the toe or the anchor per metre length of dike
[N/m]
wind fetch
[m]
shear force per metre length of dike
[N/m|
gravity
[N]
wind fetch in the direction f$ relative to the central orthogonal
[m]
block weight component perpendicular to the slope
[N]
shear force which can be absorbed in zones not
under attack, per metre length of dike
[N/m]
force of friction
[N]
force on the block due to the difference in pressure head
[N]
acceleration due to gravity
[m/s ]
ruling wave height (force) (incoming waves)
[m]
height of equivalent secondary ship wave approaching normal to the dike [m]
height of incoming waves which cause cover layer failure (strength)
[m]
height of secondary ship waves
[m]
effective or equivalent wave height on the crest
[m]
percentage of organic material
[%]
significant wave height (force) (incoming waves)
[m]
significant wave height of incoming waves which cause cover layer
failure (strength)
[m]
,t/(/7.) + 1.65 01//J. see Section 13.4.2
[m]
significant deep water wave height (incoming waves)
[m]
wave height exceeded by .v % of waves
[m]
wave height exceeded by 2 % of waves
[m]
local water depth (general)
[m]
average fall in water level
[m]
maximum fall in water level at the bank
[m]
crest height relative to the still water level
[m]
bow wave height
[m]
centre-to-centre distance (between holes)
[m]
Consistency Index = (W, - W )/I
[%]
Plasticity Index = (W - W )
[%]
real interest base
[-]
hydraulic gradient (loading)
[-]
hydraulic gradient on the cover layer (loading)
[-|
hydraulic gradient parallel to the cover layer, up the slope (loading)
[-]

i
/
/

hydraulic gradient parallel to the cover layer, down the slope (loading) [ - ]
maximum allowable hydraulic gradient along the interface (strength)
[-]
maximum allowable hydraulic gradient parallel to the cover layer
down the slope (strength)
[-]
i
maximum allowable hydraulic gradient parallel to the cover layer up the
slope (strength)
|-]
if
hydraulic gradient in a bow wave
|-]
'max
hydraulic gradient in a stern wave
[-|
k
permeability of the filter (</ = k i)
[m/s]
k'
permeability of the cover layer (if = k' /')
[m/s]
k'
permeability of the cover layer, holes only (joints not taken into account) [m/s]
k
permeability of minestone
[m/s]
k'
permeability of the cover layer, joints only, (holes not taken into account) [m/s]
k
permeability of filler layer
[m/s]
k k, permeability of Filter Layers 1 and 2
[m/s]
L
block length (parallel to the axis of the dike)
[m]
L
consolidation length
[m]

wave length in shallow water (based on T )

[m]
L
clay content = percentage of particles smaller than 2//m
[%]
^op
wave length in deep water (based on T ) = gT J(2lZ)
[m]
L
wave length in deep water = g7*/(2jc)
[m]
L
ship length
[m]
/_,
length of the slope
[m]
L
length of secondary ship wave
[m]
N
number of holes
[-]
N
number of years
[-]
n
0.3 (see Section 13.4.2)
[m]
/;
porosity
[-]
n
length scale
[-]
n
porosity of the filter
[-]
/;
ripening factor
[-]
//
porosity of the hole or joint filler (washed-in material)
[-]
n
porosity of the hole filler (washed-in material)
[-]
n
porosity of the joint filler (washed-in material)
[-]
//
porosity of the filler layer
[-]
//
porosity of the sand
[-]
0,
characteristic size of an opening in the geotexlile
[m]
P
factor dependent on the method of placing stones (P = 0.6 for rip rap.
P = I . I for neatly placed rip rap. P ~ 1.25 for pitched stones)
[-]
P
parameter characterizing the distance up the slope from the highest
transition structure
[-]
i

cr

i c r

fci

es

g p

wi

vkar

vs

parameter characteri/ing the distance down the slope from the lowest
transition structure
pressure
p
/'
probability
probability
of execedance
p
filter velocity (discharge per n r of flow profile: specific discharge):
</
during the measurement of permeability of a geotextile
filter velocity (specific discharge)
</
filter velocity through the cover layer (specific discharge;
'/
discharge per n r of pitching)
maximum allowable filter velocity (strength)
silt content = percentage of particles between 2 and /urn and 63
\
SWL still water line (level)
ji(s) - 2.3 o-(s) (see Section 13.4.2)
*lcar
S
joint width
ruling wave period
T
I
thickness of geotextile
I
period of secondary ship waves
T
average unloaded clearance over the length of the ship
one
wave period at the peak of the spectrum
loaded clearance under a ship
7'
average wave period
T
significant wave period
' 1/3
time
/
storm duration
r
present value

wind speed at 10 m above the water surface

maximum allowable current velocity over the crest (strength)
"cr
current
velocity over the crest (load)
"k
ship speed
w,
air content of the water
wc compressibility of pore water containing air
wk weight percentage of water
w
Liquid Limit = water content at which a groove in clay almost closes,
when the sample is dropped 25 times from a height of 1 cm onto a firm
surface
optimum
water content of the clay
w
Plastic Limit = limit of reliability = the water content at which a
small ball of clay can just be relied into a thread of 3 mm diameter,
without it crumbling
lower limit of grain size denoted for the category of
filter
X
general variable
X

[-]
[N/nr]
[-J
[-]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[%]
[m]
[m]
[s]
[m]
[s]
[m]
[s]
[m]
[s]
[s]
[s]
[s|
[]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[m/s]
[-]
[nr/N]
[%]

[%]
[-]

[%]
[mm]
[m]

x
local co-ordinate parallel to the axis of the dike
[m]
A
characteristic value of A
[..]
max upper limit of the reliability interval of the variable x
min
lower limit of the reliability interval the of the variable x
Y
upper limit of grain size denoted for the filter category
[mm]
y
local horizontal co-ordinate perpendicular to the axis of the dike
[m]
y
distance between the axis of the ship and the axis of the navigation
channel
[m]
y
distance, measured along the slope, from the still water line to the
uppermost block of a block mattress (used for an anchor structure)
[m]
y,
distance, measured along the slope, from the still water line to the
(lowest) toe structure
[m]
Z
sand content = percentage of particles larger than 63/rni
[%]
z
local vertical co-ordinate
[m]
z'
local co-ordinate perpendicular on the slope
[m]
-,.
stern wave height
[m]
Z .;
ruling wave run-up = wave run-up level relative to the
still water line (SWL) which is exceeded by 2 % of the waves
[m]
()
largest value
[..]
() smallest value
[..]
a
slope angle (from horizontal)
[]
c*j
coefficient in the equation for secondary waves
[-]
a
slope of the foreshore relative to horizontal
[]
P
angle of wave attack relative to the structure
[]
/3,
angle of wave attack relative to a central wave ray
[]
F
relationship between the maximum pressure head difference on
the cover layer and equivalent to the weight of the block = the influence
factor for possible transition structures, the friction,
the inertia and the entry flow (F, + F, + F,)/F
[-]
F
factor which takes into account the effect of transition structure
on the pressure head difference on the cover layer
[-]
F,
friction factor
[-]
F,
inertia factor
[-]
F,
entry flow factor
[-]
y
berm reduction factor related to the effect on wave run-up = Z , ,
with berm/Z, , without berm
[-]
y
slope surface roughness reduction factor related to the effect on
wave run-up (for block pitching. y = 1)
[-]
y.
geotexlile factor affecting the permeability of a cover layer with holes [ - ]
y
geotextile factor affecting the permeability of a cover layer with joints [ - ]
Yp
angle of attack reduction factor for waves related to the effect on
-

k a k

max

wave run-up (for normal wave attack y^ = 1)

[-]

relative volumetric mass of stone = ( p - p)/p

(infinitely) small distance
relative volumetric mass of filter grains = (p, - p)/p
relative volumetric mass of sand grains = (p,- p)lp
water level relative to the still water line
slope of the pressure head front relative to horizontal
leakage length = J{bDk/k')
leakage height = sin a J(bDk/k')
expectancy value
viscosity of water
breaker parameter based on the ruling wave height
and period = tan al JH/'L
breaker parameter based on the peak period of
irregular waves = tan al JH/ L
volumetric mass of the water
volumetric mass of the filter grains
volumetric mass of the sand grains
volumetric mass of the blocks
summation
(p,, - p) xD + (1 - n) (p, - p)gb = grain stress necessary required
for a stable structure, caused by the weight of the blocks and the
filter layer under water
standard variation = '/, of the width of a 95 % reliability interval
upper limit - lower limit "\
4
J
angle of internal friction of the subsoil (minimum: 30 for loose
non-compacted sand, 35 to 40 for compact sand)
angle of friction between the cover layer and the layer
directly underneath
amplitude of the pressure head directly above the subsoil in
the filter layer
pressure head (in the filter)
pressure head on the cover layer
pressure head under the incoming wave crest relative to the point
which the pressure head front meets the revetment slope
reduction in pressure head on the geotextile during permeability
measurements
difference in pressure head on the cover layer
pressure head in the subsoil at : ' at time /
difference in pressure head across the cover layer as a result of
the resistance to through flow
difference in pressure head across the geotextile
h

(l

0,
0
Q

difference in pressure head across the cover

layer as a result of the in and out flow resistance
reduction in pressure head in joints or holes in the cover layer
relationship between the surface area of joints and holes and the total
pitched area, per section of the cover layer, that is, a section of the
pitched area through which water can pass

[m]
[m]

[-J

SUMMARY
This manual describes current methods for designing dike revetments of pitched
blocks and block mattresses. The use of such revetments on river and canal banks is
also considered briefly. In particular, guidelines are discussed for preparing designs
for new revetments; methods are also given for checking existing revetments. The
manual is aimed at the practical application of the results of basic research into block
pitching carried out by Delft Hydraulics and Delft Geotechnics for the Technical
Advisory Committee on Water Defences. Reference should be made to [BEZUIJEN,
BURGER and KLEIN BRETELER, 1 9 9 0 ] for a description of the research.

Pitched dike revetments include the following revetment systems:

- basalt and other natural rock, laid in a single layer;
- concrete blocks and columns and other small concrete elements which are laid in a
single layer;
- block mattresses, made up of small concrete elements, which are fastened together
by cables or via a geotextile.
2

Slab revetments, comprising elements larger than about 1 m are not discussed here.
The design methods presented take into account the properties of the cover layer and
the sublayers, both of which are important for stability. The sublayers can include
layers of granular material, gcotextilcs and/or clay layers.
Two design methods are worked out in detail:
- the Preliminary Design Method and
- the Analytical Design Method
The Preliminary Design Method considers only one method of failure, the lifting of
one block out of the cover layer by wave action.
The method is based on a considerable collection of practical data, results of large
scale model investigations and calculations using the Analytical Design Method and
the STEENZET/1+ numerical method. The method is quick and easy to use but gives
less accurate results than the Analytical Design Method for structures in which a
granular layer is laid underneath the cover layer.
The Analytical Design Method is based on equations which describe the physical
processes in detail. It can be used to assess the stability of the cover layer and that of
the interface between the granular filter and the subsoil.
Geotechnical instability caused by wave action is treated separately.
The construction aspects are discussed principally in relation to the transition structures and the design aspects of the structure as a whole.