SLOPE EROSION CONTROL FOR URBAN FREEWAYS IN ARID CLIMATES. VOLUME I - FINAL REPORT

The character and extent of slope erosion damage to urban freeways in the Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area were examined. The costs associated with this damage were determined and a reporting program developed to track future erosion damage. A review of existing erosion knowledge and soils within the study area was conducted. As a result of this review a comprehensive testing program was developed to predict the erosion potential of freeway slopes. This existing program incorporates both raindrop impact and overland flow induced stresses on slope surfaces. The effectiveness of vegetation in retarding erosion was also evaluated and found to be marginally effective in arid climates. Erosion resistance of slope soils was found, in part, to be a function of maximum particle size and the amount of particles larger than 0.18 in. Using particle size, slope, and resistance to weathering a surface protection scheme was developed that utilized rock fragments. This rock surface acts as an intensely armored surface to protect underlying soils that is effective on slopes as steep as 26 degrees. Maximum particle sizes of up to 1.5 in. with a shape factor larger than 2 were found to provide satisfactory protection. Volume II contains the design manual.

• Corporate Authors:

  Arizona State University, Tempe

  College of Engineering and Applied Science
  Tempe, AZ  United States  85287

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  206 South 17th Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Duffy, D
  • Hatzell, H
• Publication Date: 1989-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 414 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arid land; Costs; Erosion control; Freeways; Grain size; Loss and damage; Measures of effectiveness; Rocks; Slopes; Soil stabilization; Urban areas; Vegetation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Old TRIS Terms: Arid climate soils; Arid region; Raindrop effect; Slope protection; Urban freeways
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00489628
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AZ89-257, I
• Contract Numbers: PL-1(31) Item 257
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1990 12:00AM