Transition structures in grass covered slopes of primary flood defences tested with the wave impact generator

Transition structures in grass covered slopes of primary flood defences tested with the wave impact generator

Van Steeg, P.
Labruijere, A.
Mom, R.

Deltares

Grasbekleding

2015-06-28

The stability of grass covered slopes on primary flood defences under wave attack is an important aspect with respect to the strength of the entire dike. In a grass slope many transitions to objects (poles, stairs, fences, buildings et cetera) or other revetments (concrete, asphalt, placed block revetment) can be present. This can potentially lead to a lower strength or a higher local load leading to a lower stability of the grass cover and therefore a lower stability of the entire dike. To study the influence of transitions to the strength of a grass slope under wave impact loading, physical model tests were carried out with the wave impact generator. This is a special designed machine that can simulate wave impacts to a certain extend and that can be placed on a real existing dike. The wave impact generator was used on fourteen test sections. Five test sections (reference tests) are on grass slopes without transitions and are with different grass and clay quality. Nine tests were performed on transition structures and objects in the grass slope. Impressions of damage to the grass slope after testing are given and are compared with the reference tests. It was concluded that for several tests the stability of the grass slope was significantly lower when a transition was applied. This implies that transition structures and objects are in some cases normative for the strength of grass slopes.

grass
transition
wave impact generator

TPG130510

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d0734e84-0194-42f1-84b7-adcf264bae89

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