1

River Bank Protection Structure Developed for Mountains Watersheds

M.Sc. Civil Engineer Zivko Gencel
Member of Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Per, zaugencel@yahoo.com
Dr. J orge Reyes, Civil Engineering Department Director of Universidad de Piura
jreyes@udep.edu.pe and young engineers Adriana Chavez and J os Ordinola have
contributed to the article by conducing mathematical model part of tests under
direction of author
Abstract:
The mountains river regulation works (concave bank protection) should be adaptable
to bottom erosion as much as resistant to the abrasion effects of floods heavily
charged by sediments in suspension and by bed load. The problem solution
complicates more when the watercourse bottom width is of limited size and/or when
the longitudinal bottom slope is to high. Generally, in such circumstances and
considering alluvial environment, the breakwater structures should be replaced by
continuous bank protection equipped with deep foundations which results the most
expensive alternative. The article offers preliminary arguments about a specific kind
of solution analyzed by means of physical and mathematical hydraulic model
research with satisfying results. This new structure consists of short rock deflector
linings which creates slightly curved, partly cylindrical surface on the bank slope,
being the radius of its curvature much smaller than the one of the river curve. These
structures could be placed at regular distances along the concave bank to be
protected in very similar way as if they were breakwater structures. In front of each
of them the bottom is covered by apron (rip-rap) adaptable to the river bottom
general erosion. The main advantage of this structure is its adaptability to the strong
bottom erosion as well as to the abrasion without excessive invasion of the bed
width. Downstream of these structures and close to the bank to be protected are
formed zones of shadow vorticity with flow velocities low enough as to guarantee
bank stability. Therefore they can be considered also as suitable for corresponding
wildlife habitat.
Abstract keywords: Mountains river regulation works, deflector type protection
structure, slightly curved partly cylindrical surface on the bank slope, wildlife
habitat zones

1/. The origin of the proposal
During the period of years 2005 and 2006 the author of this article was
conducting research on the physical hydraulic model of Tablachaca dam
appurtenance structures and the reservoir at the hydraulic laboratory of the
Universidad de Piura- Piura, Peru. Tablachaca dam and reservoir belong to the
2

Peruvian hydro electrical complex Mantaro. They are situated in the zone of sierra
central on the river Mantaro providing the water for two hydro electrical plants of
1008 MW of total power (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Tablachaca dam and landslide close to the right abutment viewed from
the left reservoir bank looking down streams; the water level close to the maximum
The Mantaro river discharges range from 45 m3/s monthly average to 172 m3/s
multiannual average. The maximum instantly discharge, which still could be
evacuated by low outlets at their maximum joint capacity, is 1170 m3/s (water level
at 2676.0m) and could occur during rain period J anuary May. The ambient
temperature is 10 C to 15 C and yearly rain average is 700mm to 900mm.
The river Mantaro bed slope along the reservoir is 1% to 2%!
The main objectives of the model research were:
- To recommend conditions for annual - multiannual reservoir sediment
flushing and
- Find the best way to preserve associated stability of the landslide N5 just
upstream of the right dam abutment.
One of the alternatives the laboratory was to comply was:
Test the effect that could have the breakwater type structure as protection for
the 0.15m to 0.50m diameter rip rap existing protective layer for the stabilized
landslide surface exposed to the high velocities during the sediment flushing
operations. The flow velocities during latest reservoir flushing operations (oriented
to restore the utile storage space volume which gets occupied by sediments),
reached values higher than 5m/s causing damage to the rip-rap. No matter what
structure is to be chosen it should necessarily be resistant to abrasive erosion and
3

able to adjust to a general erosion of couple of meters during only one week. It
should not cause invasion of the narrow river bed in front of the dam. After analysis
the idea of the deflector type structure was consolidated.
The only way to evacuate sediment from the reservoir is lowering the water
level from its maximum stage 2695 m to the level of 2676m. There are four low
level outlets all controlled by radial gates as showed in the Table 1:
Table 1
Outlet (from
right to left)
A1 A2 A3 A4
Bottom level
(m)
2656.00 2665.56 2656.00 2653.56
Orifice
dimensions
(m)
4.00 x
4.00
4.00 x
4.00
4.00 x
4.00
2.5x
4.00

These outlets are operated in order to evacuate the water with sediments. While this
operation level (2676m) is maintained, the usual sediment stage at the beginning of
the flushing operation is approximately 2672m.
These would be conditions to withstand by a new structure proposed.
Usually the reservoir volume is characterized by the highest curve of the Graph 1:

Graph 1: Reservoir volume curve:

2/. H
The
reser
cons
the r
curv
curv
also
erosi
towa
versi
towa
the d
to ad
inva
(B=7
Gr

Figu
Hydraulic ph
hydraulic m
rvoir, in its
sidered as on
right bank en
ved, partly c
vature much
covered to s
ion. In this s
This curv
ard the cente
The max
ion) between
ard the radio
deflector wer
dopt at the en
ded the river
70m) as it is

raph 2: Layo

ure 2: The fir
hysical mod
model (geom
s phase of
ne solution a
nd of the las
cylindrical su
smaller than
some extent
specific case
ved surface
er of the very
imum bank
n 250m to 17
o of the riverb
re covered b
nd of the def
r bed width j
illustrated b

out of the pa
rst version o
del research
metric scale
best protec
a structure c
st left curve
urface on th
n the one of
by apron (r
e the expecte
deflects the
y narrow gap
level lined w
70m upstrea
bed curve of
by lining too
flector curva
just upstream
by the Graph

art of reservo

f the deflect
4
h description
1:25) resea
ction for th
consisting of
upstream of
he right ban
f the river cu
rip-rap) adap
ed bottom lev
e principal
p - 70m left
was 2680m,
am of the dam
f 170 m. Th
. Maximum
ature and dow
m of the narr
h 2 and Figur
oir with dam
or and the re
n and result
arch of the T
he landslide
f partial rock
f the dam) w
nk slope, be
urve. In fron
ptable to the
vel change w
streamlines
in front of t
deflector wa
m. Its curvat
he 15m of be
rock diamet
wnstream of
row part for
re 2 .
m and deflecto
elocated one
ts
Tablachaca
e close to t
k deflector l
which create
eing the radi
nt of it the b
river bottom
was of 4m.
from the ri
the dam (las
as situated (i
ture radio wa
ed width in fr
ters were nec
f it. The stru
seven meter

or structure.

e as it was te
dam and
the dam,
lining (at
s slightly
ius of its
bottom is
m general
ight bank
st 150m).
mproved
as 45 m
front of
cessary
cture
rs

sted
The
teste



Flow
Grap
with
recom
disch
settli
A1,A
Simi
resulting ve
ed:

Fl

w of 400m3/s
ph 3: The
hout and w
mmended
harge for the
ing basin clo
A4 and A3.
ilar results w
elocity diagr
low of 400m
s toward out
comparison
with deflecto
most effi
e Hydropow
ose to the d
The critical
were obtained
rams are sh
m3/s toward
tlets, with de
between ve
or for 400m
icient discha
wer plants of
am and the
l velocity fo
d by 850m3/
5
hown on the
outlets, with
eflector
elocities clo
m3/s in the
arge for re
f 75 m3/s is
rest is evacu
or the existin
/s and 1170m
e Graph 3 fo
hout deflecto

ose to the sl
e river whi
servoir flus
s captured by
uated by low
ng rip rap to
m3/s.
or one of d

or

lope to be p
ich is close
shing purpo
y the entran
w discharge
o protect is
ischarges

protected
e to the
oses. The
nce to the
facilities
3.25m/s.

The
upstr

Figu
the d
Natu
defle
prote
sedim
conv
3/. M

and
the m
river
type
curv
ideal
slope
3.5m
is sp
to 8:


Figure 3 s
ream of the d
ure 3: Flow o
deflector cl
urally, the f
ector not on
ection purpo
The velo
ment in the
verts into ex
Mathematica
The envi
poorly repre
mathematica
r curve who
data and d
ved portion o
lized form, b
e So=1.5%
m.The bank m
pecified on th


Graph
shows effect
dam and on
of 400 m3/s
lose to the sl
fact that ban
nly can assu
oses but also
ocities of w
water is lo
xcellent one
al hydraulic
ironment of
esentative to
al model tes
ose field inv
data about ri
of the river P
bottom widt
%, Manning
material crit
he graph4, w

4: d=9.5m
ts of the de
the landslid

s. The secon
lope to be pr
nks of fine
ure the usefu
as a wild lif
water flow
ower, than i
for water pla
c model resu
the physica
o be recomm
t phase (SSI
vestigation d
iver hydraul
Piura (northe
th - B=178.5
n=0.025
tical velocity
while the line
m; d=0.0532
6
eflector on
e protection

nd image sho
rotected.
sediment a
ulness of the
fe habitat zo
are reduce
in the main
ants develop
ults
al model tes
mended as g
IIM. 1.1) w
data were av
lic regime).
ern Per): T
5m, bank slo
and dischar
y is 1.5 m/s.
es of surface
2B; R
deflector
=
the flow ch

ows sand de
are found d
e structure f
ne.
ed significan
n stream, so
pment, fish h
sts phase wa
general solut
was implemen
vailable (: t
Those dat
Transversal s
ope V:H=1:
rge 2400 m
. The deflect
e velocities a

=63.33m, R
r
haracteristic
eposit downs
down stream
for the bank
ntly, the su
the protect
habitat and si
as extremely
tion type. T
nted in one
topography,
ta correspon
section of tra
1.5, longitud
m3/s avera
tor geometry
are given on
river curve
=545
s closely

stream of
ms of the
k erosion
uspended
ted space
imilar.
y specific
Therefore,
common
riverbed
nd to one
apezoidal
dinal bed
age depth
y applied
graphs 5
5.00m

Gra

Gra

Gra

G

aph 5: River
than

aph 6: One

aph 7: Three

raph 8: Thre
between e

r in its natura
1.5m/s- criti

e deflector in
0.3 m/s to

e deflectors i
surface

ee deflectors
each two of t
al state: Max
ical velocity
nstalled: surf
o 1.01m/s- lo
installed at 7
bank velocit
s with b= 5.5
them: surfac
7
ximum veloc
y for the mate
face bank ve
ower than cr
75m distance
ties 0.27 m/s
5m = 0.0309
ce bank velo
cities 2.00m/
erial of the r

locities alon
ritical veloci
e in between
s to 0.99 m/s
9B, installed
ocities 0.31 m

/s to 2.9 m/s
river bank
ng the protec
ity

n each two o
s

at 75m dista
m/s to 1.01 m
s, higher

cted part
f them :
ance in
m/s



8

The results featured on the previous page confirm the idea of deflector usefulness as
protective structure in almost any scenario. Here it was tested for high-water flow
(discharge of 2400 m3/s) along the curved stretch of one real river with banks of non
cohesive material characterized by low critical velocity. The bank flow velocities in
protected zones were of order 0.3 m/s to 1m/s satisfactory low to fulfill the criteria
of absence of bank erosion. As it is shoved, the river bed invasion was optimized to
a certain extent gradually reducing it from 9.5m to only 5.5m (the 7.5m invasion was
tested also).
4/. Conclusions
The physical model research of Tablachaca dam and reservoir gave birth to
the idea of a different type of concave river bank protection which was justified by
those research results. One of the mathematical packages to simulate the river flow
(SIM) gave additional satisfying results in one more representative scenario. In spite
of, still, very limited quantity and scope of research involved with the proposal of
this new river bank protective structure in form of flow deflector, what can be
expressed as a fact is:
The deflector type of river bank protective structure is successfully applicable in
very adverse river flow conditions such as those characteristic for narrow bed
mountains river streams curves and also in any other place where similar type of
protection is necessary. Firm conviction of utility of the findings here described was
the reason of the present article submission.
No doubt, the amount of the research still pending about the theme will
specify the conditions of optimum design like the deflector radius and central angle,
magnitude of bed width invasion necessary, length of the tangential part lining,
eventually better form of downstream limit and resolve some minor difficulties
encountered like better stability of the downstream structure limit and precise
definition of rock weight diameter magnitudes, preferred individual rock forms
depending on where the rock is localized inside of the structure and similar.
Following the actual trends in hydro technical practice it can be concluded also that
the proposed protecting structure:
- Reduces to a great extent the human intervention in the river environment -
considering very limited river bed invasion, and
- Use ambient friendly materials like rock peaces which are more resistant to
abrasive erosion than other materials belonging to the common ambient in such
scenarios.
- Offers the formation of wildlife habitat zones where they normally wouldnt exist.
Bibliography:
Dr.- Ing. Arturo Rocha Felices, 2007, Consideraciones sobre las defensas fluviales
a base de espigones, Congreso Nacional de Ingeniera Civil Arequipa, Per
Zivko Gencel, 2006, Informe Final de las Investigaciones en modelo hidrulico de
la presa y embalse de Tablachaca-borrador, Universidad de Piura, Piura, Per