Rockfill dams – downstream riprap and dam toe : FoU-project 80409

Abstract

The Norwegian regulations for dam safety and the guidelines on embankment dams include requirements for erosion protection of upstream and downstream slopes of embankment dams. Two recent PhD-studies at NTNU have focused on riprap design on rockfill dams (Hiller, 2017) and rockfill dam behaviour at throughflow and overtopping scenarios (Ravindra, 2020). The studies include experimental and analytical studies, and the findings are summarized in the present report. Focus has been on the erosion protection of the downstream slope and dam toe. A comparative study has also been conducted to investigate the correspondence between the NVE design guidelines and model results. The report can therefore give valuable input to the Norwegian guidelines