River and Channel Training Works

River training works are constructed for

a variety of reasons, but the fundamental
objective is to restrict horizontal movement of the river channel. Training works
can also be used to improve navigation
by restricting the width of the channel.
Training works are installed where local
infrastructure or agricultural l.and needs
to be protected from the damage which
would result from erosion of the river
banks. Training works are also provided
at bridges and other structures to improve flow conditions and prevent outflanking.
River training can be achieved by river bank protection (revetment), groynes (spurs), or a combination of the two.
Gabions are ideal for both applications since they have the considerable advantages of flexibility and permeability.

River Bank Protection

River bank protection is achieved by placing a revetment
which prevents erosion of the bank. In general the bank
protection is aligned roughly parallel to the flow so as to
minimise the hydraulic loading and to avoid adverse effects on the river regime.
The design of any river training works should be carried
out with a full understanding of the fluvial processes
involved. The three main aspects to be considered are:

the velocity ofthe flow;

the likely maximum depth of scour in the river

channel;

the overall extent and geometry of the works.

Flow Velocity - Design flow velocities may be obtained from measurements on site or from hydraulic models ofthe
river (either physical or numerical). In the absence of such data, the Manning equation can be used to estimate average
velocity in the channel:
where

Manning's Equation

V=

-n

R = hydraulic radius

= cross-sectional

area

wettedperimeter
S =longitudinalchannelslope

R 2/3 S II2

n = Manning's roughness coefficient

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Scour- Failure of a revetment is often the result of inadequate protection against scour at the toe of the revetment.
Rigid revetments have the considerable disadvantage that they are easily undennined by scour. Gabions on the other
hand can defonn in a controlled manner at the onset of scour and maintain the protection of the channel edge.
Gabion mattress scour aprons laid at the toe of the river bank should extend into the rivet between 1.5 and 2.0 times
the anticipated maximum scour depth. This ensures that the gabion mattress takes up the scoured profile and continues to protect the bank against erosion.
Estimating likely depth of scour is difficult to do with any accuracy, and there is no substitute for local knowledge
or field measurements. However, it should be noted that large scour holes fonned in floods can be filled in by
sediment deposition during the flood recession, so accurate physical data are hard to come by. The designer should
ensure that fonnulae used for scour depth estimates are appropriate for the bed material considered.

Groynes
Groynes (or spurs) deflect or guide flow away from the vulnerable river banks. They can therefore be used both for
bank protection and to help maintain a navigable channel.
Groynes cannot be spaced too far apart otherwise the river will attack the bank in between. Furthennore, groynes by
their nature obstruct the flow and will generate turbulence and consequential scour. Groynes therefore require careful
detailing to ensure that they are not outflanked or undennined in floods.

Groyne design
Croyne slepped
lo reduce
lurbulence.
and lIow ob.lrucllon

SECI'(ON

Mal) lo
be pro~ecllSd

f-I~"
I

1-------1..
I

I
I
I
I
I

1-------.L
TI

Chennel edge
prolecllon u/.
of IIrsl groyne

l-'~It

Flow direclion

S<
S = 3 to 4 X L

where

0.03y1.33
n2

y ~ L ~ O.25B

y = mean depth of flow at the design discharge (m)

n = Manning's roughness coefficient.

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Flow dlreclion
PLAN