Energy Dissipation on Block Ramps with Staggered Boulders

Abstract

Block ramps are a short length of a steep channel armored with rocks, which produce high dissipation of energy. This technical note presents the results of experiments performed on a ramp having a staggered arrangement of hemispherical boulders with base material on its bed. Compared to row and random arrangements of boulders, a staggered arrangement produces more dissipation of energy. Relative energy loss in the ramp depends not only on the discharge but also on boulder concentration and their sizes. A relationship is proposed that satisfactorily determines the dissipation of energy on the ramp with base material and boulders placed with a staggered arrangement.