Erosion control blocks (page 4)

Feasibility Study (abr.) into the Hydraulic Applications of Terraforce "G" 150 & "HD" blocks.

Terraforce (Pty) Limited, requested the Division of Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Science and Technology to investigate two types of its hollow concrete blocks, the Terraforce "G" 150 and the Terraforce "HD", for use in hydraulic applications. This preliminary study looks at the feasibility & limitations of the blocks when used for canal, river bank, estuary bank & coastal protection works. The work was carried out & the report written by Mr K R K Blake under the guidance of Mr J Moes and Mr J A Zwamborn.

INTRODUCTION

Owing to the present rapid urbanization and residential development, rivers have to cope with an increased peak runoff whilst at the same time, more and more are canalized. This required increased and improved bank protection systems to safeguard people and property. Outside urban areas, reliable bank and bed protection is also required, for example in the case of estuaries, spillways and irrigation canals. Hollow concrete blocks, which are increasingly used for slope protection, are now also being used for bank and bed protection in hydraulic structures. However, a number of hydraulic aspects should be investigated before such blocks can be used with confidence.

This report gives an overview of the various relevant hydraulic aspects, especially related to the Terraforce "G" and Terraforce "HD" blocks, to evaluate their applicability in areas where water flow and wave action are present. The aim of the report is to provide preliminary design criteria for the use of Terraforce blocks in hydraulic and coastal structures and to identify the need for and extent of further studies or model tests.