Mass Angle of Repose of Open-Graded Rock Riprap

Abstract

Mass angle of repose (that is, the angle at which a mass of sliding particles will come to rest) is a fundamental material property that is needed to design drainage channel linings composed of open-graded riprap stone, also called dumped rock riprap, which protect earthen slopes from erosion by flowing water. Multiple regression analysis of measurements at 74 stockpiles of dumped natural and crushed rock shows the angle to depend primarily on rock particle angularity and, to lesser extents, on the gradation and the median particle diameter of the stone mixture, the angle increasing with angularity, mixture nonuniformity, and particle size. Uncomplicated expressions are developed from the data to calculate the expected mass angle of repose of open-graded rock riprap along with prediction intervals.