Experimental results for guidance and design criteria of horizontal end-dumping type river closure

ABSTRACT The river diversion involves the construction of cofferdams when dumped material is exposed at high velocities, which may cause the drag of blocks. Classical equations relate the mean rock diameter to the drop of water surface between the upstream and downstream. Results of 283 experimental tests performed in hydraulic models allowed the definition of a relationship between water surface drop and mean diameter in the limit condition of stability. The result obtained was d = 0.33×ΔH, consistent with classical equations and validating their applicability, suggesting it use for design and analysis.