Block ramps for stream power attenuation in gravel-bed streams: a review Open Access

A block ramp is a short section of steep channel that produces large scale roughness in the form of a boulder, which allows passing flow from a higher elevation to lower elevation by dissipating energy (Aberle & Smart 2003; Pagliara & Chiavaccini 2006a; Ahmad et al. 2009). They are used in mountain rivers and are made of blocks with mean diameters ranging between 0.3 m and 1.5 m, disposed on a steep bed. Block ramps can serve very best in the restoration of rivers and maintain the ecological balance of a river system as well as attenuate stream power.

Block ramps serve as corridors for fish migration by creating favorable flow velocity (Weibel & Peter 2013; Tamagni et al. 2014a, 2014b). They attenuate shear velocity and turbulent bursts adjacent to the bed, which prevents large boulder movement during flood. Moreover, protruding boulders also provide suitable conditions for oviposition.

Flow resistance, flow velocity and water depth can be estimated using flow resistance equations, which have been proposed by many investigators in terms of Manning's n and Darcy-Weisbach friction factor (Hey 1979; Griffiths 1983; Jarret 1984; Bathurst 1985; Abt et al. 1988; Rice et al. 1988; Ferro 1999). Aberle & Smart (2003) studied the effect of roughness on flow resistance on steep slopes. They found that standard deviation of bed elevation is a more appropriate parameter for bed roughness than the characteristic grain size of the bed and used this parameter in a flow resistance equation. Similarly, Habibzadeh & Omid (2009) studied the bed load resistance in supercritical flow and found that bed load transport increases friction factors by 90% and 60% in smooth and rough beds respectively. Pagliara & Chiavaccini (2006a, 2006b, 2006c) proposed flow resistance and energy dissipation equations for block ramps.

Similarly, the stability of block ramps has been investigated by different investigators (Whittaker & Jäggi 1986; Robinson et al. 1995; Weichert 2006; Pagliara 2007a; Tamagni et al. 2008; Pagliara & Palermo 2011; Weitbrecht et al. 2017) Their findings are discussed in subsequent topics on the stability of block ramps. Studies on scour at the toe of the block ramp and its protection have been done by Pagliara & Hager 2004; Pagliara 2007b; Pagliara & Palermo 2006; Oertel & Schlenkhoff 2012b. They have developed empirical formula for estimation of maximum scour depth and maximum scour length for uniform and non-uniform sand. Moreover, they found that rock sill performed better than other types of sills for scour minimization. Besides this sediment transport over block ramp also has an effect on bed morphology and energy dissipation, which was later investigated by Pagliara et al. (2009a, 2009b).

Block ramps are very effective for dissipating energy downstream of trench weirs, overflow weirs, spillways and so on due to large roughness. Ghare et al. (2010) proposed a mathematical model for computation of the size of the base material of block ramps, which is correlated with the step chute height ratio. Similarly, Pagliara et al. (2019) found that equilibrium scour morphology is affected by channel bends, tail water depth and approach flow conditions. Increase in channel curvature increases scour depth and rise in tail water depth decreases scour depth. They also developed an empirical equation for estimation of maximum scour depth in a curve channel. Artur et al. (2018) measured the hydrodynamic parameters of a flood-impacted unstructured block ramp in prototype and found that boulders displaced due to flooding functioned as well as before the occurrence of the flood.

Depending on the morphological structure and configuration of macro roughness elements, block ramps are classified into two groups; that is, type A (block carpet) and type B (block cluster). Type A consists of tightly packed blocks covering the entire width of the river. They may be in one layer or more than one layer. One layer of blocks interlocked with each other leading to a compact form is called an interlocked block ramp. When blocks are arranged in two or more than two layers leading to heavier and more heterogeneous construction then such block ramps are known as dumped blocks. With both types of block ramps, a filter layer should be provided against washout effects (DWA 2010). A block carpet can be provided up to slope S = 10% (Bezzola 2010). However, they are investigated up to bed slope S = 40% (Robinson et al. 1995). Type B are characterized by dispersed configuration leading to more natural conditions. In this group, blocks are either arranged in row and arches (systematic way) or randomly placed. Block ramps consist of three types of block ramps: structured blocks, unstructured blocks and self-structured blocks. Structured and unstructured blocks are isolated with each other. Structured blocks are characterized by systematic arrangements of blocks in rows or staggered and blocks are isolated from each other, leading to a more heterogeneous form. The maximum slope for a structured block ramp is 6.7% (LUBW 2006) and maximum slope for an unstructured block ramp (UBR) is 3% (Janisch 2007). Self-structured blocks ramps are formed due to natural hydraulic load occurring on the ramp over a long time. The ramp slope range for a self-structured block ramp is 5% to 13% (Lange 2007). The morphological and structural classification of block ramps is shown in Figure 1.

Whatever approach is used to derive flow resistance equation, it is found that a flow resistance equation is more reliable on type of flow condition for which depth of flow or hydraulic radius is larger compared to bed roughness. Bathurst et al. (1981) defined roughness in three categories and proposed classifying flow according to relative flow depth. Large-scale roughness is (h/D₈₄1.2), in which a free surface is affected by roughness features, intermediate scale roughness (1.2h/D₈₄4), and small scale roughness (h/D₈₄⁠. They found that flow resistance increases as relative submergence decreases and vice versa. Various forms of expressions for relative submergence such as h/d₈₄,h/d₅₀,h_mean/D_B and so on have been used in flow resistance equations by different investigators. It is difficult to model flow resistance for large and intermediate scale roughness since flow turbulence is strongly affected by relatively large roughness and hence Equation (2), derived from the law of wall, is not valid. It is valid for a steep mountain river with step pool morphology and flow on a block ramp is somewhat similar to it. Therefore, the above approach has to be applied with caution.

There is another approach for the determination of flow resistance for UBR in which flow resistance is divided into two parts. First part resistance is offered by the roughness of the bed material and second part is in the form of drag, developed due to the macro roughness element. Whittaker et al. (1988) used this approach to find flow resistance for UBR.

Thus, both the block diameter D and number of blocks N_b is considered. The application range is limited to 0.1% < S < 5%, 0.5< h/d <4, and N_b D²< 0.15 per unit area. Whittaker et al. (1988) showed that submergence (h/D) has major influence on flow resistance.

Valid for h/p< 3.5, 0.15 < Г< 0.25.

The flow resistance Equation (9) is valid for a minimal range of block concentration, so it is necessary to find out a more generalized form of flow resistance equation that covers a larger range of block concentration. Several studies on finding the optimal value of block concentration Г have been done to achieve maximum flow resistance (Schlichting 1936; Loughlin & MacDonald 1964). Thus, one can determine flow resistance, flow velocities and flow depth using one of the standard flow resistance equations discussed above and in Table 1.

Some of the widely used flow resistance equations for block ramp is briefly presented in Table 1 with their application range.

The energy head at the ramp head is H₁ = H +1.5 h_c, where 1.5 h_c is the specific energy at a critical depth (at the head of a ramp), and at the toe is H₂ = h + q²/(2gh²), specific energy at toe. So, the relative energy dissipation is given as ΔH_r = ΔH/H₀ = ⁠. Pagliara & Chiavaccini (2006a) studied the energy dissipation mechanism on smooth ramps and ramps with a base material. They first studied a smooth ramp and then an on-ramp with blocks.

A, B, C = coefficients depending on the roughness scale (h_c/d₅₀) and E, F = function of arrangement and roughness of blocks h_c = critical flow depth d₅₀ = median size of river bed material., H = ramp height and S = ramp slope.

Pagliara & Chiavaccini (2006a) found that the relative energy dissipation (ΔH_r) increases with decrease in h_c/H for the same discharge, same slope and same length of ramp. thus, the height of the ramp is directly proportional to the relative energy dissipation. Similarly, the roughness of the bed also has a significant effect on relative energy dissipation. Large-scale roughness (LR) dissipates more energy than small-scale roughness (SR) whereas intermediate scale roughness (IR) presents greater variability. As is shown in Figure 4(a), they also found that relative energy dissipation decreases with an increase in slope, keeping roughness constant. So, energy dissipation is also a function of the slope of the ramp. Figure 4(b) shows relative energy dissipation as a function of h_c/H obtained by various investigators.

Г = ⁠, where, N_B = number of blocks, D = block diameter, W = ramp width and L = ramp length. It can be used for ramps without boulders by substituting Г = 0. Here, E and F are two parameters that are functions of arrangement and roughness of blocks, which are given in Tables 3 and 4. Equation (18) is valid for Г < 0.33; 0.08 < S< 0.33; 1.75 < D/d₅₀< 19 and for uniform flow conditions.

Figure 5 depicts that arrangement of boulders in rows dissipates more energy than random arrangement and this is higher for rough boulders than smooth (rounded) boulders. Rouse (1965) suggested optimum block concentration Γ = 0.26 using spheres. But for lower values of Γ, the maximum value of relative roughness and form drag are not get achieved and whereas a higher value of Γ leads to effects on flow characteristics by single blocks to other neighbouring blocks, flow separation cannot develop fully leading to reduced energy dissipation. Thus, at optimum value of block concentration Γ, each block offers maximum form drag to flow resistance.

In this Equation, Г varies from 0.074 to 0.21 and D_B/h_c from 0.506 to 2.307

Though Equation (19), proposed by Ahmad et al. (2009), is the outcome of a staggered arrangement of hemispherical boulders on a ramp, but in nature, we mostly find irregular shapes of boulder. So, further research can be extended on block ramps with irregular natural shapes of boulders in a staggered arrangement.

For submerged flow conditions, Pagliara et al. (2008) developed an equation for energy dissipation on submerged block ramps and identified the main parameters on which energy dissipation on block ramps in submerged condition depend.

This is valid for range: 0< L_j/L_R< 0.7, 0.1 < h_c/H< 1.2; ramp slope varying between 1 V:8H and 1 V:4H and roughness condition SR, IR and LR. The expression of coefficients A and B are given in Table 6.

The equation proposed by Pagliara et al.(2008) for block ramps in submerged flow condition considers h_c/H as the main parameters in the energy dissipation equation, but when the flow is fully submerged the parameters h_c/H do not clearly reflects the hydrodynamics of submerged flow. Instead of the h_c/H term, it would be better to use h/d₈₄ or h/P. So, further research is needed for improvement of the energy dissipation equation in submerged flow conditions.

The details of the experimental setup and parameters used by various investigators in the past have been summarized in Table 7.

The block ramp offers high resistance as a result of form drag, wake vortices, local hydraulic jump, and jetting flow between each block. Flow over a block ramp or rock chutes shows two types of flow, such as nappe flow and skimming flow. Nappe flow occurs for small discharges. In this, flow cascades over a boulder in a series of falls, plunges from one boulder to another boulder in a thin layer that clings to the surface of each boulder, and dissipates the energy of flowing water by breaking a jet in the air or a jet impinging on a boulder, mixing of flow, and by partial hydraulic jump. Skimming flow occurs at high discharges. In skimming flow, the water flows down the boulder surface as a coherent stream, skimming over the boulder edge and cushioned by the recirculating fluid trapped between them.

Ahmad et al. (2013) investigated the turbulence characteristics of flow over a block carpet-type block ramp. The findings from their research are as follows.

Turbulent intensity and Reynolds stress distribution: longitudinal turbulence intensity TI_u increases first and then becomes constant after a certain distance. At the leading edge of the block ramp, the boundary layer was thin, and the generated turbulence intensity was confined in it. This is due to the fact that initially, the thickness of the boundary layer was thin, and then it increased downstream and became constant up to flow depth. So, turbulence intensity also increases downstream of the block ramp and becomes constant (Ahmad et al. 2013). Similar results were also obtained by Balachandar & Patel (2002), who studied development of a boundary layer on a roughened flat plate. However, transverse turbulent intensity decreases and then attains a constant value after a certain distance downstream of the block ramp, and vertical turbulence intensity TI_w decreases gradually downstream, as shown in Figure 7(a). This might be due to the breaking of larger eddies into smaller eddies, which dampens the turbulence intensity TI_v production.

Similarly, Ahmad et al.(2013) found that Reynolds stress components and increase first and then attain an equilibrium value, whereas increases linearly along the block ramp, which Figure 7(b) depicts clearly. Also, turbulent kinetic energy increases linearly along the length of the block ramp.

Flow characteristics of an unstructured or structured block ramp are far more complex than other types. For this, Tamagni et al. (2014a, 2014b) carried out extensive experimentation on flow characteristics of unstructured block ramps under steady conditions for three different specific discharges with relative submergence such that h p (where p is block protrusion); that is, blocks emerged, h p; that is, blocks just submerged and h p; that is, blocks fully submerged. They divided flow into different sublayers as suggested by Nikora et al.(2001), as is shown in Figure 8. Here, they divided flow layers into two major sub layers for small value of submergence h/p <1.5 and impermeable bed layer. They are a form induced sublayer and interfacial sublayer. The interfacial sublayer further consists of two sublayers where flow is affected by macroroughness elements and a lower sedimentary sublayer. All layers' thicknesses are denoted by z with different subscripts. Here, z_m is the mean bed level obtained by averaging the measured bed elevations without considering block protrusions, σ_b is the standard deviation of measured bed elevations,

2 σ_b is the thickness of the sedimentary sublayer, z_z, the zero plane defined as z_z = z_m- σ_b and Z_MR, the boundary between the macroroughness sublayer and sedimentary sublayer Z_MR = z_m + σ_b. Similarly, z_c is the average of the crest height of all blocks, from which we get the thickness of the macro roughness sublayer and z_t, defined as the lowest trough level of the bed.

The data were analyzed both with time-averaged and double averaged (in time and space) velocities, using measured Reynolds stress, form induced stress, and RMS values. From their study, they found that there exists a wide range of regions of varying velocities, which is favorable for fish migration. On just the lee side of the block, time average local velocity is negative due to recirculation of flow. Similarly, just upstream and above the block, there is a supercritical flow region having accelerated flow and also a small velocity range because the accelerated overtopping flow does not occur over each block for h_m/p = 0.6 . It also shows that flow velocity between two blocks along the ramp length is positive unless it gets restarted by downstream blocks. In this way there exists strong heterogeneous distributions of a wide range of local velocities. The larger the variation in local velocities, the greater will be possibilities of certain fish to find suitable conditions for migration of fish with respect to swimming capacity.

Over all, the local time-averaged velocities are heterogeneously distributed on an unstructured block ramp, which leads to vary turbulence intensities heterogeneously. Zones that have high TI corresponds to two kinds of regions.

• (i)

  The regions having high-velocity variation are directly influenced by blocks and recirculation of flow occurs in the lee side of protruding boulders.

• (ii)

  Those adjacent to the flow corridor have accelerated velocity.

So, there is variability in both turbulence intensity as well as time averaged velocity, which is positive in terms of hydraulic heterogeneity and ecological aspects.

Though the time-averaged velocities were found to be heterogeneously distributed throughout the length of the ramp, the double averaged (averaged both in time and space) velocity profile is found to be almost uniform distribution as shown in Figure 9.

For lower relative submergence, flow mainly occurs below the boulder crest, where the flow is influenced by form drag within the interfacial sublayer (macro roughness layer). Similarly, near the bed, level flow is dominated by form and viscous drag (sedimentary sublayer). The entire water column is affected by total roughness of the bed material and boulder and for this reason double averaged vertical velocity profile is uniform at higher relative submergence h_m/p = 1.5, it strongly varies and tends to an S-shape velocity profile similar to Bathurst (1985); Ferro (1999) and Baiamonte & Ferro (1997). Tamagni et al. (2014b) compared S-shape vertical velocity profile distribution results with those of Ghisalberti & Nepf (2006), which are similar to their results, as shown in Figure 9.

Similarly, they calculated normalized spatially averaged Reynolds shear stress, given as ⁠, where u_*I = in which u′, w′ are fluctuating components of instantaneous velocity u, w. Figure 10 shows comparison of the vertical profile of spatially averaged Reynolds shear stress by Tamagni et al. (2014a, 2014b) and Ghisalberti & Nepf (2006) for h_m/p = 1.5, which has a triangular shape with its maximum value at Z 0.83 just below z_c, at which the maximum momentum exchange occurs due to the maximum interaction between fluid at the form-induced sublayer and the macro roughness sublayer. The shape of both profiles is similar. Similarly, study on flow characteristics of a staggered arrangement of boulders on a rock ramp fish pass in relation to fish passage was done by Baki et al. (2014).

But for field engineers, it would be worth expressing failure criteria in terms of critical specific design discharge rather than critical particle densimetric Froude number.

Whittaker & Jäggi (1986) investigated the stability of a block carpet type block ramp with different block diameters, bed materials, characteristic grain sizes, bed slopes and different ramp lengths.

This has the same structure as Equation (25) but has a lower value of numerical coefficient and slightly lower power coefficient of the ramp slope S.

Pagliara & Chiavaccini (2007) extended the investigation on stability of block ramps on failure mechanism of base and reinforced block ramps having different configurations such as random, row and arc disposition. They analyzed the stability of block ramps in terms of critical particle densimetric Froude number F_D and evaluated the bed evolution of the rock chute up to its failure.

They defined three stages of failure based on their observation. They are as follows:

• (a)

  Initial movement: Initial movement of the base material in which base material just starts to vibrate and transportation of some elements towards downstream occurs.

• (b)

  Local failure: In this one or more than one base material starts to move from the original position and producing well defined circular or semicircular scour hole.

• (c)

  Global failure: The global failure of the ramp in which many local failures occur. Many boulders and part of the layers of base material gets removed. Longitudinal scour holes get formed especially in the downstream part of the ramp.

The coefficients b₁ and b₂ depends on block disposition: b₁ = -0.2 and b₂ = 1.7 for rows, b₁ = -0.17 and b₂ = 1.2 for arc, b₁ = -0.27 and b₂ = 0.8 for random, and b₁ = -0.17 or −0.3 and b₂ = 1.2 or 0.4 for the two different reinforced arc types.

Accoroding to Raudkivi & Ettema (1982), the bimodal mixture of sediment on unstructured block ramp (UBR) consisting of random disposition of boulder of diameter D laid on bed material of characteristic diameter d_xx, fails in two ways. (1) Overpassing of boulders and (2) Embedding of the boulders in to finer base. According to them the dimensionless parameter consisting of two mean diameters as D/d_xx controls the stability. To avoid the above failure mechanism, they had given range of value for D/d_xx as 6< D/d_xx< 17. Generally in mountain river, characteristics size of river bed material is taken as d_xx = d₉₀ (Janisch et al. 2007). For value of D/d₉₀< 6 boulder tends to move over base material and for value D/d₉₀> 17 boulder tends to sink in to base material causing to reduce dissipative properties of boulder. The equation suggested by Pagliara & Chivaccini (2007) for estimation of critical densimetric Froude number and critical specific discharge does not considers the effect of D/d_xx.

Later on, the effect of D/d₉₀ was considered by Weitbrecht et al. (2017) for UBR. They carried out an experimental study on UBR consisting of protruding boulders of concentration Γ laid on a base material of characteristic diameter d₉₀. The parameters were bimodal mixture ratio D/d₉₀, block diameter D, block concentration Γ and specific discharge q. The range of parameters for study (Requena 2008) was 4.9 < D/d₉₀ < 18.6; 0.15 < Γ < 0.25. Finally, the optimal range was 6.5 < D/d₉₀ < 7.4 for no ramp, failure resulting in an equilibrium slope S_e = 30% - 50% and Γ = 0.15.

Using the above equation and from further literature review, block diameter D and required block concentration can be determined. Note, all the mentioned approaches do not take into account the stabilizing and destabilizing effect of incoming bed load except for the equation proposed by Weitbrecht et al. (2017). In their experiment, sediment supply as bed load showed a stabilizing effect.

Generally, we choose a straight reach of streams for a block ramp, but sometimes it becomes necessary to provide a block ramp in curved portions of streams, In that case, the above discussed equations do not give the stable parameters of the block ramp.

In steep mountain rivers with large scale roughness, flow resistance is dominated by form drag. Drag force is a significant hydrodynamic force in gravel bed streams. Drag from channel form, bed form and immobile obstacles causes flow velocity to slow down by extracting momentum from the flow. In the block ramp, resistance is offered mainly by boulder drag, resulting in an increase in flow depth and decrease in flow velocity. Estimation of drag coefficients on the block ramp is essential for drag force, mean velocity and mean flow depth calculation. Basically, hydrodynamic force consists of two components, drag and lift force.

Very little research have been done on drag coefficient estimation for block ramps, where each boulder influences the drag coefficient of others; that is, the drag coefficient of a single isolated boulder is different than boulders arranged in a group of a particular pattern. Oertel et al. (2011) did experimental work on drag coefficient estimation for boulders on a block ramp due to the flow interaction process. They used 16 different configurations of cubical as well as cylindrical boulders in rows and columns such as single blocks, double blocks in a row, and a maximum of six blocks arranged in three different rows, as shown in Figure 11(a). The configuration was chosen in such a way as to experience the boulder interaction process to determine forces and drag coefficients. The authors related drag coefficient with Reynolds number. The variation of drag coefficient versus Reynolds number is shown in Figure 11(b).

Equations (39) and (40) are for downstream outer and middle boulders in the third row respectively. The variations of C_d and R, are both shown in Figure 11(b). The drag coefficient for the outer boulder of the third row is higher than the middle boulder of the same row. This is due to the fact that the upstream boulder bifurcates the main flow towards the downstream outer boulder, causing an increase in drag coefficient of the outer boulder and a decrease in drag coefficient for the middle boulder. The interaction process decreases the drag coefficient of the upstream boulder. The interaction process becomes negligible.

Baki et al. (2016) studied the effect of submergence on drag coefficient for various simulations of a fish pass (staggered arrangement of boulders) such as flow variation, channel slope, boulder diameter, boulder longitudinal and transverse spacing and boulder disposition pattern. They found that boulder spacing (longitudinal and transverse) and disposition pattern have a great influence on variation of drag coefficient (C_d ranged from 0.5–3.0) with submergence ratio (h/D) as depicted from Figure 12.

A comprehensive review is presented of experimental studies relating to different configurations of block ramps covering various design aspects such as flow resistance, energy dissipation, stability and drag coefficient of the block ramp as well as its flow characteristics done by various investigators in the past. The forms and equations for estimating each of these aspects are also presented in detail. More research is warranted for further improving the equations essential for design analysis. The major grey areas and gaps that could enhance the future research are as follows.

• Three-dimensional turbulence burst analysis using a modified 3-D Reynolds stress approach using all three fluctuating instantaneous velocity components u′, v′, w′ around the blocks to improve the understanding of the internal mechanism of turbulent flow structure, which is primarily responsible for energy dissipation. Present reported research on turbulent analysis is based on the 2-D Reynolds stress concept, whereas in reality turbulent burst occurrence is three dimensional. The positive end product from this research foray will significantly enhance the prediction of residual energy from block ramps much more realistically, leading to their better design.

• Even though block ramp technology is used mostly in mountainous torrents carrying highly non-uniform bed and suspended sediment loads in episodic transport mode, hardly any research is reported on this vital issue. In this respect, innovative research design is awaited for a skillful interaction between the fluvial processes of three-dimensional turbulent bursts on ejection and sweep attributes with sediment transport modes of entrainment, transport and deposition for episodic flow regimes.

• Since block ramp application in primarily hilly torrents is made in a highly turbulent flow conditions with rapidly varied unsteady flow regime, the present day formulations are based on an assumption of steady flow conditions. This steady flow assumption superimposed on 2-D Reynolds stress simplification obviously introduces probably a great deal of error with regard to actual energy loss estimation in the design of block ramps.

All relevant data are included in the paper or its Supplementary Information.