Abstract
This paper presents a methodology for determining the magnitude of oversizing required for marginal quality riprap. Riprap is often used to protect earth cut and fill structures from erosion. Erosion protection of uranium mill tailings embankments, caps, and drainage diversion channels presents a unique challenge. These structures require long-term, maintenance-free protection in locations where good quality riprap is seldom available. Appropriate oversizing of marginal quality rock will allow mill licensees to meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements by using locally available rock at many sites where the use of more durable rock would lead to unreasonable transportation costs. NRC regulations require that riprap used for erosion protection meet design size specifications without periodic maintenance for performance periods ranging from 200 to 1,000 yr in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards (CFR, 1988). Weathering processes that reduce the size of marginal quality rock over long periods of time can be mitigated by appropriate oversizing.
Published Version
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