US Army Corps

of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Rubble-Mound Stability
Steven A. Hughes. Ph.D., P.E.
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
US Army Engineer Research and Development Center

David R. Basco. Ph.D., P.E.

Coastal Engineering Center
Old Dominion University
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Contents

Overview of Armor Layer Stability

Rubble-Mound Trunk and Head Stability

Riprap and Toe Stability
Cross-Section Design
Example Problems
Based on:

CEM Chapter VI-5-3 (Author: Hans F. Burcharth)

CEM Chapter VI-7 (Author: David R. Basco)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Hydraulic Instability
Movement of armor units

Rocking
Displacement from layer
Sliding of layer
Settlement of layer
Not armor unit breakage
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

Armor Layer Stability

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Stability Parameter
Parameter

Stability Equation

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Stability Variables
Sea State Variables

Wave height
Wave length
Wave steepness
Wave angle
Wave Asymmetry
Spectrum shape
Water depth
Water density

Structure Variables

Armor layer slope

Freeboard
Armor density
Armor gradation
Armor weight
Armor shape
Packing density
Layer thickness
Porosity of layers

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Damage Parameters

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Damage
Parameters

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Stability Formula Classification

Classified by:

Type of armor unit

Water depth
Superstructure
Dynamic
Crest elevation
Non-overtopped
Low-crested
Submerged

Model Testing

Based on small-scale physical models

Testing of designs is recommended
Always test unusual designs
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Armor Layer Stability

Armor Layer Permeability

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Contents

Overview of Armor Layer Stability

Rubble-Mound Trunk and Head Stability

Riprap and Toe Stability
Cross-Section Design
Example Problems
Based on:

CEM Chapter VI-5-3 (Author: Hans F. Burcharth)

CEM Chapter VI-7 (Author: David R. Basco)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Structure Trunk Stability

Design Guidance for These Situations

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Stability
Formula
Table
Hudsons Equation

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Hudsons Stability Equation

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Hudsons Stability Equation

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Van der Meers Stability Equation

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Structure Head Stability

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Rubble-Mound Stability

Structure Head Stability

where

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Contents

Overview of Armor Layer Stability

Rubble-Mound Trunk and Head Stability

Riprap and Toe Stability
Cross-Section Design
Example Problems
Based on:

CEM Chapter VI-5-3 (Author: Hans F. Burcharth)

CEM Chapter VI-7 (Author: David R. Basco)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Riprap and Toe Stability

Riprap Stability

with

Gradation Range:
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Riprap and Toe Stability

Toe Stability
Toe berms

Support main armor layer

Prevent damage by scour
Design guidance for:

Sloping trunk and head

Vertical trunk and head
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Riprap and Toe Stability

Toe Stability

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Contents

Overview of Armor Layer Stability

Rubble-Mound Trunk and Head Stability

Riprap and Toe Stability
Cross-Section Design
Example Problems
Based on:

CEM Chapter VI-5-3 (Author: Hans F. Burcharth)

CEM Chapter VI-7 (Author: David R. Basco)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Cross-Section Design
One Side Exposed to Waves

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Cross-Section Design
Both Sides Exposed to Waves

CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Cross-Section Design

Phases and Aspects of Design

Preliminary Design Phases
1. Structure geometry
2. Evaluate construction technique
3. Evaluate design materials

Geometric Design Aspects

Crest elevation and width
Concrete cap
Armor layer thickness
Primary layer bottom elevation
Toe berm
Structure head
Lee-side armor
Underlayers
Bedding/filter layer
Scour protection
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Cross-Section Design

Cross-Section Geometry
Crest width:
Armor layer thickness:
Riprap layer thickness:

(whichever is greatest)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD

US Army Corps
of Engineers

Design of Marine Structures

Contents

Overview of Armor Layer Stability

Rubble-Mound Trunk and Head Stability

Riprap and Toe Stability
Cross-Section Design
Example Problems
Based on:

CEM Chapter VI-5-3 (Author: Hans F. Burcharth)

CEM Chapter VI-7 (Author: David R. Basco)
CHL: Steven Hughes, PhD