Course Description:
Open channels play an important role in drainage systems for highways, cities and developments as the initial conveyance for runoff and in many cases the final conveyance before the runoff reaches a receiving stream or other water body.
Open channels capture sheet flow from hard surfaces and convey that runoff to larger channels or culverts within the drainage system. The initial concentration of runoff may create hydraulic conditions that are erosive to the soil that forms the channel boundary and channels near the end of the conveyance system typically carry significant flows that can create erosion issues. To perform reliably, the open channel is often stabilized against erosion by placing a protective lining over the soil. This course addresses open flexible linings that are well suited for construction of open channels.
Course Outline:
Design Concepts
General Design Procedure
Vegetative Lining and Bare Soil Design
Manufactured (RECP) Lining Design
Riprap, Cobble and Gravel Lining Design
Gabion Lining Design
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the user will:
Understand the different types of open channel flow, the impact of shear stress on linings and the design parameters important in lining design
Understand the design procedures used for straight channels, slide slopes, bends and steep slopes.
Understand how to design a channel with vegetative lining or no lining
Understand how to use a manufactured lining to protect a channel
Understand how riprap, cobbles and gravel can be used to protect a channel
Understand how gabion baskets and mattresses can be used to protect a channel.
Prerequisites
There are no special prerequisites.
Intended Audience:
This course is intended as a general guide to design of channel linings therefore the intended audience includes engineers responsible for design of channels and contractors responsible for temporary and permanent erosion control. It also includes those engineers and regulators responsible for reviewing channels and erosion control plans.
Course Summary:
This course provides an overview of the design of linings for open channels, including vegetative linings, riprap and gravel linings, manufactured erosion control products and gabions. It describes the different types of linings available, how they resist erosion and how to calculate the various design parameters. While numerous equations are presented, the design concepts are applicable even when the design details determined by the equations are not required. This course is based on HEC-15, “Design of Roadside Channels with Flexible Linings”, but has been modified and updated.
