Stability of rock on mild slopes

Abstract

Until now, an extensive design method for mild slopes has not been available. The aim of this thesis is to understand the stability of rock on mild slopes under wave attack for impermeable cores in order to optimize designs. Physical model tests have been executed to study this stability for a 1:8 slope. Mossinkoff (2019) executed physical model tests for a 1:10 slope and a re-analysis of these tests is included in this thesis as well. Damage caused by entrained rocks is quantified by damage parameters using stereophotogrammetry and coloured rocks in strips. In this study, the influence of several hydraulic and structural parameters on damage parameters has been investigated for mild slopes. A positive correlation has been found between the significant wave height and the damage parameters. Besides this, based on the analysis it can be concluded that the wave steepness and damage parameters are negatively correlated. An increase in layer thickness of the rocks does not seem to increase the stability of rock on mild slopes. However, the slope angle does have an effect on the stability as a milder slope is associated with less damage. Another conclusion is that more damage continues to be observed even after 15 000 waves. Based on the results of the physical model tests, a design formula is developed for mild slopes to be able to increase efficiency in designs of coastal structures for these mild slopes. This study also provides evidence that rocks on mild slopes have different characteristics of damage and damage development compared to steep slopes. The largest share of entrained rocks transport in upward direction and rocks on mild slopes seem to be more mobile compared to steep slopes. This suggested that it might be more efficient to study the moment when the filter layer or the core becomes visible instead of the static stability of rock within the armour layer itself.