An investigation of the erosion of highway embankments caused byflood overtopping is presented. Data collected from a series of laboratory tests and field investigations were evaluated to develop a methodology for quantitatively determining embankment damage. A computer model, verified by using laboratory and field data, was developed to simulate the hydraulics of overtopping flow and to estimate theerosion rate of the embankment. The computer model was used to generate nomographs and to develop a step-by-step procedure for estimating damage to roadway embankments. The effectiveness of five embankment protection measures was evaluated during the laboratory tests. Critical velocities and failure criteria associated with each protective measure were qualitatively established. This paper appeared in transportation research record no. 1151, hydraulic erosion. For covering abstract see irrd no 818454.
Abstract