Chapter 2-2

Stream bank protection works

Stream bank Protection

Groynes
2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Definition and functions

• Groynes are structures constructed transverse to the river flow

extending from the bank into the river.

• Known by several names – spurs, spur dikes, transverse dikes

• The most widely used training works

• Functions:
• Training the river along a desired course by attracting,
deflecting or repelling the flow in a channel
• Creating slack flow with the object of silting up the area in the
vicinity.
• Protecting the river bank by keeping the flow away from it and
• Contracting a wide river channel usually for improvement of
depth for navigation
2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs

Sitges, Spain
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs - classification

Classification of Groynes or spurs

Groynes or spurs are classified according to

(i) the method and materials of construction
(ii) the height of spur with respect to water level
(iii) function to be performed/alignment
(iv) special types

These are:
(i) Permeable or impermeable
(ii) Submerged or non-submerged
(iii) Attracting, deflecting repelling and sedimenting
(iv) T-shaped, hockey type, kinked type, etc.
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs - classification

Types of groynes based on material of construction:

a) Impermeable groynes –
 They are also called solid or embankment groynes
 May be rock fill or earthen embankment armoured with stone
pitching
 Launching apron provided specially at the head
 Do not allow appreciable flow through them
 Design is the same as that for guide banks

b) Permeable groynes –
 Do permit restricted flow through them
 Temporary structures and liable to damage by floating debris
 Best suited for rivers carrying huge sediment as their primary
purpose is to obstruct the flow and cause silt deposition
 usually consist of timber stakes or piles and joined together to
form a framework by other timber pieces and the space in
between filled up with brush wood or branches of trees.
 Impermeable groyne

Timber Groyne, East coast of England

Permeable groyne

Waal River, The Netherlands

 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs - classification

Types of groynes based on alignment of groynes:

Groynes may be aligned either perpendicular to the bank line

or at an angle pointing upstream or downstream.

a) Normal / sedimenting groyne – aligned perpendicular to the bank

line

b) Repelling/reflecting groyne – a groyne pointing u/s as it repels flow

away from it

c) Deflecting groyne – short in length and its purpose is to change the

direction of flow without repelling it.

a) Attracting groyne – pointing d/s to attract river flow towards it. Not
generally used as scour developed near the bank.
Groyne alignment
Special groynes
2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design considerations

Design considerations:
a) Position of groynes:
• Groynes should be properly located and positioned to give the desired
result.
• Their design is not much amenable to theoretical investigation
therefore, their position, location and performance is usually checked
in hydraulic models.
• In repelling groynes, the angle of deflection u/s is usually kept
between 10 to 30 degree.
• Stone pitching is required at the head of repelling groyne to protect it
form scouring by eddy currents formed around it.
• Groynes are much more effective when constructed in series as they
create a pool of nearly still water between them which resists the
current and gradually accumulates silt forming a permanent bank line
in course of time.
2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design considerations

b) Length of groynes:
• No general rule for fixing length of groyne
• it depends upon the position of the existing bank line and the
designed bank line for trained river.
• Too long groynes are susceptible to damage and failure
• Too short groynes forms score hole near the bank.
• The best result can be obtained by physical model test

c) spacing of groynes:
• the spacing between adjacent groynes is a function of:
 the length of the groyne – generally 2 to 2.5 times the length
 Type of bank - large spacing for convex banks and smaller for
concave banks.
 Width of the river – larger spacing for wider rivers.
 Type of groyne – large spacing for permeable groynes.
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design

Design of Groynes: include the fixation of

height
top width,
free board,
side slopes,
size of stone for pitching and thickness of pitching,
filter and launching apron.

a) Height of groynes:
• For maximum efficiency, the height should be above HFL.
• For economy, height may be kept below HFL but is less
efficient.
• Take care of submerged spurs (height less than 1/3 of the flow
depth to avoid bank erosion.
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design

b) Top width
• Top width should be a minimum of 3m (usually 3 to 6 m at
formation level.)

c) Free board
• The top level of the spur is to be worked out by giving a free board of
1 to 1.5 m above the highest flood level.

d) Side Slopes
• The slopes of the upstream shank and nose is generally kept not
steeper than 2:1 the downstream slope varies from 1.5 : 1 to 2:1.

• Side slope protection (pitching) and thickness of pitching should be as

in the case of guide banks.
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design

e) Provision of filters
Provision of filter satisfying the filter criteria has to be made below
the pitching at nose and on the upstream face for a length of 30 to
40 m from the nose.

The thickness of the filter may be 20 to 30cm.

The thickness of filter for the next 30 to 45m on the upstream face
may be reduced to about 15 cm and beyond that, it can be omitted.
 2.2.2 Groynes or Spurs – Design

f) Launching Apron:
• Apron design is based on the scour depth.

• Nose should be heavily pitched and apron should be provided for

toe protection.

• Several investigators have found a scour factor, x for prediction of

scour depth at spur noses.

Example
• x=(scour depth below HFL)/ ( depth below HFL by Lacey’s
formula)
• x= 1.5 (spur facing d/s at 30o to bank line)
• x= 3.0 (spur facing u/s at 30o to bank line
• 2.5 to 2.75 D ----- another figure
Typical Layout of spur – plan view
Typical Layout of spur – Section view
Typical Layout of spur – section view
Thank you