Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

Print ISSN : 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X; Volume 2, Number 9; April – June, 2015 pp 58-62
Krishi Sanskriti Publications
http://www.krishisanskriti.org/jceet.html

Design of embankments and bank protection

works for hilly rivers
Naveen Naidu Maddukuri 1 , N.V.N.Ravali2 , A. D. Vasudeo3
1
Master of Technology
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
1
Email ID: vimpnaveen1234@gmail.com
2
Master of Technology
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
2
Email ID: ravali.venkatanaga@gmail.com
3
Assistant Professor
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
3
Email ID:advasudeo@civ.vnit.ac.n

Abstract: Hilly rivers have narrow and deep cross sections with floods. The intensity of flashy floods has aggravated
very steep bed slopes. The rise of flood in them is very sudden and resulting immense damage to the life, crops and property.
flashy. Some of the Hilly Rivers overflows the banks during
monsoons and causes severe soil erosion, land slide, deposition of River training works for these rivers are taken up to control
sand on fertile agriculture and damage to life & properties. Due
flood, erosion and sediments to manage the river to flow
to continuous silting, the bed of hilly rivers has risen constantly
due to which meandering action takes place. Training works for smoothly in required direction. River training involves
these rivers are taken up to control flood, erosion and sediments construction of structures across or along a stream like
to manage the river to flow smoothly in required direction. Hence, levees or embankments for flood control and protection.
it is necessary to adopt the suitable training works, monitor the These structures such as spurs, guide bunds (Bunds guiding
performance of the structures and to plan further training of the the flow) etc are to be constructed. The most commonly
river courses. In the present study the flood embankments and used way of flood protection is to provide embankments
bank protection measures are designed for hilly river in different with or without spurs which protect the banks against
reaches by using predicted water levels for 100 years return possible sediment laden river attacks. Also can be
period. Predicted water levels are used to finalize the top level of
the embankments by adding sufficient free board (say 1.5 m or 1.8
supplemented by the retired embankments wherever, the
m) in the vulnerable reaches. The higher velocities and discharge river attack is severe. The river channel can be confined by
intensities would possibly induce higher scour near the toe and providing a pair of embankments or training the rivers into
erosion of the embankments. In view of this it is suggested to a well defined stable channel.
protect the embankments by providing proper bank protection
works and launching apron at the toe. 1.1 Types of flood protection works

Keywords: water level, flood embankment, velocity, free  Construction of flood embankments along the river
board. banks or ring bunds around important towns, villages,
properties and estates to prevent flooding.
1. INTRODUCTION  Suitable protective fenders of concrete, rolled steel or
rails may be provided upstream of the bridge to reduce
Steep gradient is one of the distinguishing features that give
the impact on piers and abutments due to rolling
special characteristics to rivers which flow in Mountaneous
boulders.
areas and hence are called as hilly rivers. Also hilly rivers
are characterized by the presence of variety of sediments  The formation of gullies by the water coming down the
which consists of mixture of boulders, gravels, shingle and hills can be prevented by afforestation, construction of
sand. These rivers, moreover, differ considerably from gully/ check dams, contour bunding, debris basins,
those carrying sand and silt. This presence of special chambers or wells. These should be cleaned as
sediments in the hilly rivers makes them behave distinctly frequently as necessary
when compared to normal meandering courses. Deep well-  Suitable slope protection with boulders or concrete
defined beds and wide flood plains, Boulder Rivers tend to slabs and boulders in wire crates forming flexible type
have straighter courses. During a flood, the high velocity apron may be provided are efficient in arresting the
flow transports boulders, shingle and gravel downstream, high velocity flow approaching the embankment
but as the flood subsides the flow of materials when  The most common in - stream control flow structure,
checked gives beds with materials piled in heaps. The flow including cross vanes ,J-hook vanes, rock vanes, W
in hilly rivers increases abruptly and experiences flashy weirs, submerged vanes, stream barbs, bend way weirs,

1
Design Of Embankments And Bank Protection Works For Hilly Rivers 59

spurs, and constructed riffles also suitable for provide shown in fig 1.Based on the survey data of river, one-
bank protection and channel stabilization along with dimensional Mathematical Model HEC-RAS has been
the potential for ecological enhancement (R. R. used to estimate the flood levels in the river Channel.
Radspinner, A.M.ASCE etc) The total length of river was simulated in HEC-RAS
 During the floods the materials such as boulders, model using 54 cross sections. The discharge data used
pebbles, tree and its branches collect near upstream of for the river was derived for 100 years return period by
existing bridges. These materials should be removed using empirical formula. The Manning’s roughness
periodically to avoid inundation due to constricted value of 0.035 was considered in the river reach. A
waterway of bridges. return period of 100 years flood was provided by the
 Preparing detailed plans for mobilisation of the local project authorities for different river reaches, which
resources for supervision of embankments during were used as upstream boundary conditions. At
floods, for flood relief works and other emergency downstream boundary, normal depth condition was
measures and to associate local populations with such assumed in absence of gauge-discharge data.
works by way of Shramdan (community participation)
etc. Collection of materials such as sand filled bags, 4. PROVING STUDY
stones, brush wood mattresses to reinforce or add to the
Initially mathematical model studies were carried out
protective works during flood without reproducing the proposed embankments. It was
 Flood forecasting and warning system to keep alert all found that the predicted water levels for 100 years
concerned people in advance and to take timely action return period in different reaches were more or less in
for evacuation in case of imminent danger. agreement with the levels used by the project authority
for the design of flood embankment.
The object of a flood protection study is to decide
which of the above works are most suitable, and their 5. STUDIES WITH EMBANKMENTS
location, size, design and costs. Associated with this is,
a socioeconomic study to determine the potential Embankments were reproduced at the end of the cross
damages headed off by the protruded training works, sections on the both banks of river were reproduced on the
and whether they justify the benefit-cost ratio. mathematical model. Simulations were carried out for the
Designed Flood protection works may threaten by above mentioned upstream and downstream boundary
floods against a future “Maximum Probable Flood". In conditions; water levels were computed using the described
present state of our knowledge, no exact quantitative model and also velocity along the river. Maximum
value can, however, be assigned to this entity, but there predicted water levels, velocities and discharge intensities
are various methods of approximating it. Suitably one of the Swan River at different reaches for the design
of the above can be adopted for particular flood more discharge of 1318.62 cumecs.
or less ascertain results as socioeconomical.
Chainage Without With
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT AND STUDY AREA: (m) embankment embankment
Swan river is one of the tributary of the River Satluj Water Velocity Water Velocity
has catchment area of 1204 Km 2 in Una district of the
level (m/s) level (m/s)
Himachal Pradesh. It has a length of 65 kms in
Himachal Pradesh. The study area includes Swan River (m) (m)
from Babehar khad to Raipur khad. The catchment area
4000 502.13 1.31 502.14 1.29
mainly comprises loose fragile shivalik hills with very
little vegetative cover. The present study is carried out 3750 501.58 0.99 501.58 0.98
for swan River which originates in Himalaya
Mountains. Swan River is mostly narrow and 3500 499.84 2.49 499.84 2.47
characterized by steep slopes. It produces flashy floods 3250 498.23 1.39 498.24 1.36
which inundates large tracts of cultivated land and few
villages. Apart from this, State Government has 3000 496.83 2.63 496.83 2.64
allocated land to poor farmers along the banks of River 2750 495.61 1.65 495.67 1.53
swan and these farmers suffer extensive damages to
their fields and properties every year due to flood in the 2500 494.09 2.5 494.06 2.34
River Swan. 2250 491.56 2.06 491.41 1.78
3. METHODOLOGY: 2000 490.37 3.34 489.81 3.27
1750 487.02 3.35 486.59 2.86
Mathematical model studies were carried out to assess
the adequacy of the proposed design of flood protection 1500 484.8 4.25 483.89 4.23
embankments along River swan from Babehar khad to
mandwara khad for flood of 100 years return period as

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

Print ISSN : 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X; Volume 2, Number 9; April – June, 2015
60 Naveen Naidu Maddukuri, N.V.N. ravali, A. D. Vasudeo

1250 482.03 2.59 482.25 1.86 This type of protection work is suitable where the ample
1000 480.67 3.28 480.68 3.22 space for dressing the banks by filling or by excavation is
750 477.51 3.66 477.53 3.28 possible. It should be noted that while dressing the slope by
500 474.74 3.91 474.74 3.91 earth filling, the area inside the river banks should not be
250 472.87 2.52 472.98 2.1 constricted beyond 10 to 15 % of the total original river

0 470.8 3.2 470.8 3.08 width at that section. Typical computation of protection

-250 466.75 3.52 466.74 3.51 work for sloping bank is given below:

-500 464.18 1.42 464.18 1.42 Data:

-750 460.62 1.86 460.62 1.86 1. Velocity = 3.32 m/s

-1000 459.19 0.66 459.2 0.63 2. Bank slope (θ) = 1) 2 H:1 V (26.560)
3. Angle of internal friction of soil of bank material = 350
-1250 456.98 3.09 456.98 3.09
4. Specific gravity of stones (Ss) = 2.65
-1500 453.37 3.07 453.4 2.99
5. D50 stones being used for filling crates =175mm (for
-1750 450.42 3.63 450.37 3.44
example as per specifications, the stones of size 125mm
-2000 446.42 3.77 446.42 3.65
to 225mm are proposed. Therefore ,D50 is assumed as
-2250 443.81 3.91 443.77 3.73
175mm(125+225)/2)
-2500 440.92 3.36 440.92 3.36
6. Discharge intensity ‘q’ = 4.914 m3/s/m (V X average
-2750 438.67 3.5 438.67 3.5
MAX. depth of flow =3.32m/s x 1.48)
-3000 437.08 1.69 437.08 1.69
7. Peak discharge, Q = 112.52 m3/s
-3250 436.02 3.4 436.02 3.4
8. d50 of bed material =15.23mm
-3500 432.57 2.98 432.57 2.98
9. Silt factor, f = 6.87(f=1.76(d50)0.5
-3600 427.64 2.6 427.64 2.6
a) Apparent specific gravity of crates:
Table1.Comparision of water levels with embankment
Gs = Ss (1-Є)
and without embankment.
Where,
6. RIVER TRAINING WORKS
Ss is specific gravity of stone and Є is void ratio
Based on the different hydraulic parameters extracted
from the 1-D mathematical model (HEC-RAS), the 0.0864
  0.245 
following bank protection works are designed. D500.21
1. Protection for sloping bank
2. Protection in the form of earthen embankment Gs = 1.85
It was suggested to execute the above protection works b) Weight of crates:
depending on the site conditions and practically at
particular reach. 0.02323GsV 6
W
K Gs  1
3  sin 2  
6.1 Design of Protection Works: , K  1   2 
 sin  
Where
K = 0.62 (for bank slope of 2 H: 1V)
=0.76 (for bank slope 2.5H: 1V)
=0.83(for bank slope 3H: 1V)
W =151.147kg (for bank slope of 2 H:1V)
=123.3045kg (for bank slope 2.5H:1V)
=112.9054kg (for bank slope 3H: 1V)
Figure 1: Typical Cross-section of Earthen Embankment
C) Thickness of crate:

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

Print ISSN : 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X; Volume 2, Number 9; April – June, 2015
Design Of Embankments And Bank Protection Works For Hilly Rivers 61

T = V2/2g (SS-1) Width of apron = 1.5 x Depth of scour =

T = 0.3405 m say 0.4 m 1.5x1.84m=2.77 m
Volume of crates, Thickness of apron = quantity of stone per m of
V = 151.147/1850 = 0.08170 m3(2H:1V) apron/width of apron
=123.3045/1850=0.066651m3 (2.5H: 1V) = 6.058865/2.77
3
=112.9054/1850=0.06103m (3H: 1V) =2.187316 m say 2.5m
Tentatively fix crate size as Weight of crates for horizontal bed:
3
1) 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.4 m (0.1 m ) (for bank slope of 2 H:
1V); 0.02323GsV 6
W 
2)0.45 m x 0.45m x 0.4 m (20.18 m3) (for bank slope of 2.5 Gs  13
H: 1V); Hence,
3
3)0.42 m x 0.42m x 0.4 m (20.18 m ) (for bank slope of 3H: W = 93.71145kg
1V) Volume of crates = 93.71145/1850 = 0.050655 m3 say 0.1
c) Check for thickness: m3
Velocity head = hv =V2/2g=0.5617m Hence, provide launching apron of size 0.2m x 0.2 m x
Thickness required against negative head: 1.25m min two layers (0.1 m3)
T = hv/ (Ss-1) = 0.3408 m < 0.4 m The above illustration is just an example.
Thickness of crate, i.e. 0.4 m is almost equal to the The sloping bank protection work most suitable for
controlling soil erosion and landslips, improving
thickness required against negative head. Therefore, sizes stability of side slopes and arresting bed load in boulder
of crates mentioned above for respective bank slopes are bedded hilly terrain. This type of protection work is
suitable where the ample space for dressing the banks
adequate by filling or by excavation is possible. The computation
d) Launching Apron (Typical): of protection work for sloping bank 3H: 1V is done as
per IS Code 14262:1995. The sloping bank protection
Scour depth below HFL, DL = 0.473 (Q/f) 1/3 works are calculated for critical velocities as shown in
considering maximum discharge Table 2.
= 1.2010 m below HFL 6.2. Protection in the Form of Earthen Embankment
Scour depth below HFL, DL = 1.35 (q2/f) 1/3 maximum Most of the bank slopes of river are flatter than the 3H:
1V. So, the protection works in the form of earthen
discharge intensity q = 4.194 m3/s/m embankments are suitable for these reaches in river.
= 1.84 m below HFL. The sloping bank of earthen embankments on river side
needs to be protected against the high velocity using
Therefore considering the maximum values from both slope pitching, toe wall and launching apron. The
the above cases, earthen embankment protection works are calculated
for critical velocities as shown in Table 3.
Scour depth DL = 1.85m below HFL is considered for
designing the launching apron 7. CONCLUSIONS

Maximum scour depth below HFL due to bend, etc., One-dimensional mathematical model HEC-RAS was
used to estimate the flood level in the river for
DL max = 1.5 DL i.e., 2.775m below HFL discharge of 100 years return period. Based on the
Depth of scour below Low Water Level (LWL) = above studies following conclusion were made:
1. It is recommended that the top level of the
2.775 – 1.48 = 1.295m (Average of HFL-LWL = 7.6 embankments of river swan and tributaries may be
m) finalized by using the maximum water levels
obtained during model studies with embankments by
Quantity of stone/m for apron = √5 x depth of scour x adding sufficient free board
thickness of pitching (0.4 m) 2. It is recommended to provide the protection of
sloping bank for bank slope of 3H: 1V and
= 6.058865 m3/m

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

Print ISSN : 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X; Volume 2, Number 9; April – June, 2015
62 Naveen Naidu Maddukuri, N.V.N. ravali, A. D. Vasudeo

protection works in the form of earthen embankment Dikes on Weighted Usable Area of Rhinogobius
for bank slope flatter than 3H: 1V candidianus (Goby)" ASCE Journal
3. It is recommended to provide stone in crates for both [4] R. R. Radspinner, A.M.ASCE; P. Diplas, M.ASCE; Anne F.
sloping bank protection and earthen embankment Lightbody, Aff.ASCE; and F. Sotiropoulos, M.ASCE "River
Training and Ecological Enhancement Potential Using In-
protected against high velocities Stream Structures" \ ASCE Journal
4. The top width of the embankment may be kept as 3.0 [5] Manali A Patil and Ankit A Patil "Study Of Flood
m. Protection Work On Men River At Tilakwad Village Of
5. It is recommended to align the embankments such Narmada District , Gujarat". Indian Journal Of Applied
that the meanders of the river are within the Research, Vol.3, Issue
embankments and the width covers the thalweg of [6] B. Raghuram Singh, M.N Singh "Comparison Of Physical
the river. And Computational Model In Prediction Of Water Level In
6. To avoid damage to the geofabric filter during Alluvial Rivers". Journal Of The Instrument Society Of India
placement of stones in crates, a 15 cm thick layer of Vol.40, No 1.
[7] Bank Protection Rivers And Lochs - Scottish Environment
coarse sand or gravel should be provided over the Protection agency (SEPA)
geofabric filter. [8] Majumder S. K., “Protection Of Flood Embankments By
7. It is suggested to remove the large sized of boulder Spurs With Reference to Kosi River"
from the centre of the river and the same could be [9] Patricia Freire Chagas, Silvia Helena Santos, Carla Freitas
used for bank protection works. Andrade "Application of Mathematical Modeling to
8. The stone crates may have to be filled up with Study Flood Wave Behavior in Natural Rivers as Function of
different sizes of stones so that maximum density is Hydraulic and Hydrological Parameters of the Basin,"
achieved and crates are efficient in arresting the Hydrology Days 2010 PP 114-120.
high velocity flow approaching the embankment. [10] "Compendium of Guidelines" 2004, PP 5-11.
[11] Text Book of River Mechanics - Pierre Y. Julien
10. The bank protection works (excluding launching [12] http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-ras/.
apron) suggested shall not encroach the original
river width more than 15%.
11. The restoration and maintenance of existing
protection works are needed to avoid further damage
to the banks.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to express our deep sense of gratitude to Dr.
Narendra S. Chaudhari, Director, VNIT and Mr. Govindan,
Director, CWPRS for constant encouragement and valuable
suggestions.

Notation List
RD = River distance (Km)
RS = River station
LWL = Lowest water level (m)
HFL = Highest flood level (m)
W = Weight of the stone/boulder in (Kg)
V = Velocity at bank (m/s)
T = Thickness of protection layer (m)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
Q = Discharge in (m3/sec)
q = Discharge intensity in (m3/s/m)
f = Silt factor
d = Mean diameter of river bed material (mm)

REFFERENCES
[1] Subashisa Dutta, Hemanta Medhi, Tapas Karmaker, Yogesh
Singh, 2010, "Probabilistic Flood. Hazard Mapping For
Embankment Breaching" ISH Journal of Hydraulic
Engineering.
[2] Istvan Bogárdi and Edina Balogh “Floodway System
Operation along Levee-Protected Rivers" ASCE Journal.
[3] Yin-Lung Chang1, Te-Yung Hsieh2, Chien-Hua Chen and
Jinn-Chuang Yang "Two-Dimensional Numerical
Investigation for Short- and Long-Term Effects of Spur

Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology

Print ISSN : 2349-8404; Online ISSN : 2349-879X; Volume 2, Number 9; April – June, 2015