River training works

Maccaferri solutions
for river training
works and erosion control
- Channel linings
- Bank protections
- Weirs
- Groynes
M ost o f t he t ow n s a n d citie s w e k n o w to d ay h av e d e- c o m m u n ic a tio n ro u tes w ere req u ired fo r tra d e a n d s ocial
v elo p ed i n a r ea s t h a t h av e b e e n in h a b ite d f ro m an c ien t ex c h a n g e. I t is d iffic u lt to d a y to ig n o re th e p ro ble ms
times. M ea n d er s o r is lan d s in riv e rs h av e alwa y s b een o f flo o d in g o f lo w ly in g a rea s a n d th e n eed to p rot e ct
favou r i t e si t es fo r h u m an h a b ita tio n s in o rd e r to ta ke ro a d s, ra ilwa y s o r in d u stria l b u ild in g s.
adva n t a g e o f t he ava ila b ility o f wa te r a n d f e rtile la n d Ho w ev er, w e m u st n o t fo rg et th a t a n a tu ra l wa tercour se
for fa r mi n g . Thu s b e g an a re latio n s h ip b e tw e e n m a n a n d is a liv in g en tity in c o n tin u a l d ev elo p m en t th a t sh o uld be
the r i ver w h i c h h a s b e e n d e v e lo p in g e v e r s in ce. W ith th e p ro tec ted , a s fa r a s p o ssib le.
incr ea se i n pop u l a tio n an d th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f ind u stry,

Italy

Italy

Italy - Actual situation

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For a well-balanced
design of river works
By analysing the main factors which are
im p or t a nt i n t h e m a in te n an ce o f a w e ll- b ala n ce d
river h a bi t a t , w h e n lo o k in g a t its re s to ratio n , it
ha s t o be c hoose n n o t o n ly, w h ich m a te rials a re
to b e used , b u t a ls o to m a ke a p ro p e r e valu a tio n
of desi gn met hod o lo g ie s.
A n a t u ra l r i v e r c o u r s e i s c h a ra c t e r i s e d b o t h
f r o m p l a n a n d e l e va t i o n a n d d i c t a t e d b y t h e
n e e d t o m a i n t a i n e n v i r o n m e n t a l b i o - d i v e r s i t y.
D esi g n hy pot hesis a n d te ch n ical s o lu tio n s can
be a c o mm on d e n o m in ato r a n d b io e n g in e e rin g
sh o u l d n ot be c on s id e re d a s a lis t o f te ch n iq u e s U.K. ( p h o t o D a v i d B a r ke r - E d e n b r i d g e U. K . )
bu t a s a g l o b a l ap p ro ach p h ilo s o p h y.

Th i s mea ns t h a t s o lu tio n s m u s t re la te to th e
pr o b l ems, a voi din g b o th te ch n ica l an d e th ical
m i st a kes, a n d w ith o u t e x ce s s, all w ith in a
m u l t i di sc i p l i n a r y ap p ro ach w h e re e n g in e e rs,
bi o l o g i st s, b ot a n is ts a n d a rch ite cts d o n o t
pr eva r i c a t e ea c h o th e r.
Th e sol ut i on must :
- su p p l y t he i mm e d ia te re q u ire d s ta b ilis atio n ;
- pr o mo t e a posi tiv e e v o lu tio n ( re - n atu ralis atio n )
of t he n ew ec os ys te m cre ate d f ro m th e riv e r
tra i n i ng w or ks.

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 1. Habitat 1 = roots of Salix sp. covered with tufts
Cladophora Sp.;
2. Habitat 2 = silt deposited on gabion protection;
3. Habitat 3 = neuston around the groynes;
4. Habitat 4 = stagnation point.

Microhabitat check schematisation

(Research on the environmental effects
by rivers sides with Gabion and Reno
mattresses)-Italy 1993-1994.
Italy - Actual situation

Belgium

Belgium - Actual situation

5
A system of softwares Th e s o l u t i o n s e x p o s e d i n t h e p r e v i o u s p a g e s h a v e t o b e
chosen on the basis of quantitative analysis and not
for hydraulic and o n l y q u a l i t a t i v e o r s u b j e c t i v e o n e s.
This is the reason why our company has promoted laboratory,
environmental design field and bibliographical researches, on the basis of which,
a series of specific software have been created

MACRA
(By EHS Bologna - Italy)
Geometrical alignment of
existing river bed
Curved sections
Th e M AC R A s o f t wa r e, w o r k i n g i n a n
Straight line sections
Autocad format, allows the engineer to
d e s i g n t h e r i v e r t ra i n i n g w o r k s i n a s t r e t c h
of river under the hypothesis of a steady
f l o w, t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t t h e a c t u a l r i v e r
g e o m e t r y, r o u g h n e s s a n d f l o w n o r m a l l y
p r e s e n t i n a n a t u ra l wa t e r c o u r s e.

MACRA 1
Th e M AC R A 1 / B a n k P r o t e c t i o n s o f t wa r e,
which uses a Windows t y p e s t r u c t u r e,
p r o v i d e s e n g i n e e r s w i t h a ra p i d a n d e f f i c i e n t
tool, with which to conduct the stability
a n a l y s i s o f wa t e r c o u r s e s c r o s s - s e c t i o n s w i t h
r e s p e c t t o b o t h wa t e r f l o w a n d wa v e m o t i o n .

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MACRA 2
Th e M AC R A 2 / We i r s s o f t wa r e wa s
d e v e l o p e d t o c o n d u c t h y d ra u l i c
and static analysis of gabion
w e i r s.

MAQUA
M AQ UA i s a s o f t wa r e d e v e l o p e d i n a
Windows format, supporting the design
o f r i v e r t ra i n i n g w o r k s, E n v i r o n m e n t a l
Impact Assessments (EIA) and allowing
f o r t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f wa t e r c o u r s e s.
M AQ UAs p u r p o s e i s t o p r o v i d e a m o d e l
f o r t h e e va l u a t i o n o f t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l
va l u e o f wa t e r c o u r s e s s u b j e c t e d t o
i n t e r v e n t i o n . Th i s p r o g ra m c o m p a r e s
design alternatives and selects the
one shown to preserve the initial
e n v i r o n m e n t a l va l u e.

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Longitudinal
structures
The term l o n g i t u d i na l s tru ctu re s is u s e d to
defi ne s t r uc t u r es w i t h t h e ir le n g th p a ralle l to
the ri ver fl ow. Th ese st ru ctu re s a re o f te n b u ilt
on exi st i ng na t u ra l b a n k s a n d th e y u s u ally
extend f or a c o n si d era b le d is tan ce.
They are u sed for a va r ie ty o f p u rp o s e s,
such as:
- erosion control
Italy
- control of meanderings
- containment of the normal flow channel
- flood protection

Italy

Italy - Actual situation

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Revetments
When a n er osi on p ro ce s s th a t d o e s
not affec t t he g l o b a l s tab ility cre ate s
sl ope i nst a bi l i t y, t hen re v e tm e n ts can
be a possi bl e so l ut i on .
Th e c h o i c e o f t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e
type of revetment must be made on
the basis of a comparison between Italy
the acting stresses (in terms of
s h e a r s t r e s s e s a n d n o t o n l y wa t e r
velocities) and the serviceability
limits of the material used.
Th e a p p r o a c h t o b e c o n s i d e r e d
m u s t a l wa y s b e m a d e u n d e r t h e
term of Bioengineering, based on a
combination of live and inert materials
where the limitations of both must
b e t a ke n i n t o c o n s i d e ra t i o n .

Brunei

Italy

Italy

Italy

Italy - Actual situation

9
Gabion gravity
structures
A bank stabilisation may involve the
construction of a retaining structure
t h a t s h o u l d n o t o n l y e f f e c t t h e n a t u ra l
Italy
f i l t ra t i o n b e t w e e n t h e wa t e r c o u r s e a n d
t h e b a n k , b u t m u s t a l s o g u a ra n t e e t h e
required consolidation.
F u r t h e r m o r e, t h e p r e s e n c e o f s u b g ra d e s
a n d b a n k s, t h a t a r e n o r m a l l y s a t u ra t e d
or which have unpredictable erosion
p h e n o m e n a , m a ke t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
f l e x i b l e s t r u c t u r e s a n e c e s s i t y. Th e y
must be able to withstand differential
settlement without loosing their
s t r u c t u ra l i n t e g r i t y.
G ab i o n st r u c t u r es are th e id e al s o lu tio n
on a c c o u n t of t h e ir f le x ib ility, n atu ral
drai na ge c a pa c i t y d u e to th e s to n e
fil l i ng , a nd h i gh st ru ctu ral re s is tan ce.

Italy

Italy Italy

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 Italy
Maccaferri gabions are fabricated from high
quality steel wire where long term durability is
guaranteed by galvanising with a zinc/aluminium
-MM alloy (Galfan ), that can be further protected
by a polymeric coating and all of which comply
with the highest international standards.
Italy
11
Italy
The utilisation of double twisted hexagonal mesh
also guarantees high flexibility and resistance,
all adding to the main characteristics that make
Maccaferri gabions and Reno mattresses
the ideal solution for river
bank stabilization.
Galfan coating
Polymeric coating
Gabion
gravity structures

Italy

A gabion apron extends horizontally into

the bed so that it adjusts to possible
scouring thereby providing an adequate
foundation for the protective structures
built upon it.
A prop er l y si z ed ap ro n s h o u ld e x te n d
hori zon t a l l y i n t o t he r iv e r b e d b e yo n d th e
vertical fr on t fa c e of th e p ro te ctio n b y 1 . 5
to 2 tim es t h e ma xi mu m d e p th o f e x p e cte d
scour. Thi s en sur es th at u n d e r m a x im u m
scour con d i t i o n s, t he ap ro n w ill f o ld d o w n
i nto th e sc ou r hol e w ith o u t b e in g to o
steep o r a l l o w i ng t h e s u rf a ce to take u p a
qui l ted or un d u l a t i n g p ro f ile.

U.K.

12
 Greece

The wa l l m u st b e fo u n d e d a t a le v e l th at
is no t a ffec t ed b y wa te r s co u r p ro b le m s.
G enera l l y a d i r ec t f o u n d a tio n o f th is
type i s on l y a d vi sa b le w h e re th e riv e r
bed ma t er i a l i s u n -e ro d ib le o r w h e n it
consi st s o f so l i d r o ck .
It is also appropriate in mountainous
regions and especially in the wilder
torrents where the heavy bed
load could damage elements
such as aprons protruding Italy
into the stream bed.

It is not always
p o ssib le to build t he
fo u n d a tio n s of r ive r bank
im p ro v em en ts in t he dr y.
I n th ese c a ses a plat for m
c a n b e b u ilt o f dumpe d r ock
o r c y lin d ric a l g a b io ns, and t he
v ertic a l p o rtio n o f the pr ot e ct ive
stru c tu re c a n b e c o n v enie nt ly built
o n to p.
I f th e p la tfo rm is b u ilt o f loose r ock s
it is p a rtic u la rly im p o rta n t t o choose a
ro c k siz e to en su re th e stabilit y of t he
su p er- stru c tu re.

Brazil

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Reinforced soil structures
Th e d e v e l o p m e n t o f n e w t e c h n o l o g i e s s u c h a s
reinforced soil structures using the combined
strength of the soil and the reinforcing elements
has opened up new methods for the stabilisation of
r i v e r b a n k s. Th e d o u b l e t w i s t e d w i r e m e s h Te r ra m e s h
System (made with polymer coated Galfan wire) has
g r e a t l y e x t e n d e d M a c c a f e r r i s e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e f i e l d
o f r e v e t m e n t s a n d g a b i o n s.
The Terramesh System are structures whose components
are pre-determined and completely pre-assembled
during the production phase. Each element has two
main properties: the first is to reinforce soils, and the
second is to stabilise the face. The ordinary Terramesh
has an external face similar to stone filled gabions.
The Green Terramesh has a face lined with a geomat
that retains uncompacted vegetable soil.

Green
Terramesh

Terramesh
System

Italy

14
Italy

Italy - Actual situation

Italy

15
Gabion weirs
Ga b i o n w ei r s are clas s if ie d in th re e
t y pes a c c or di ng to th e s h ap e o f th e ir
dow n st r ea m fa c e a t th e ce n tre o f f lo w :
- ver t i c a l w ei r s
- st epp ed w ei r s
- sl op ed w ei r s
Th e ver t i c a l w e ir is ce rtain ly th e s im p le s t
t y pe, a n d i t i s o f te n u s e d f o r s m all w e irs
i n a sy st em co n tro llin g a re ach o f a
st r ea m.
Si nc e t h i s m ea n s th a t th e g a b io n m e s h
i s pr o t ec t ed a ga in s t ab ras io n a n d im p a ct
by hea vy bed m a te rial carrie d in s p a te
c on d i t i o n s, i t i s a typ e re co m m e n d e d f o r
t ra i ni ng w or ks o n m o u n ta in to rre n ts.
Italy

I n th e d esig n o f v ertic a l w eirs, m a x imum

a tten tio n m u st b e p a id to th e d issip at ion
o f th e kin etic en erg y o f th e c a scade
w h ic h is a llo w ed to sc o u r th e b ed thus
fo rm in g a p o o l. Here th e en erg y is
d issip a ted in th e c u sh io n o f wa ter and
in th e fo rm a tio n o f a h y d ra u lic ju m p.
A sec o n d a ry w eir is p la c ed a t t he
d o w n strea m en d o f th e p o o l to c o nt r ol
th e fo rm a tio n o f th e ju m p a n d to restr ict
th e ex ten sio n o f th e p o o l d o w n stream.
Th e la tter is n ec essa ry to en su re
th a t th e m a in stru c tu re is n o t
u n d erm in ed .

Italy

Austria Italy

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 Italy
Venezuela

Venezuela

Burkina Faso

Italy

Italy
Actual situation

17
Gabion
groynes
By groynes we mean a structure which
protrudes into the river bed, with the aim
of moving the flow away from the side of
the river on which the groynes are built.
Gabion structures are suitable for every
kind of groyne.
They ca n be su b j ec t ed to s train w ith o u t
l osing t hei r effec t iv e n e s s d u e to
mov eme nt a n d t hey c a n co n f o rm to all
vari ati o n s i n r i ver b ed le v e ls.
They be c o me a n i n t eg ra l p a rt o f th e riv e r
bank and of t he r i ver b e d o n w h ich th e
gabi ons a r e b u i l t .
I n cases of a w el l bu i l t co m b in a tio n s o f
gabi on d efen c es a nd g ro yn e s, th e w o rk s
are de st i ned t o d i sap p e ar u n d e r th e
deposi t i on of si l t s w h ich w ill b e co m e
Saudi Arabia
further st a b i l i sed b y plan t co lo n is a tio n .

Italy

Brazil

18
Italy

Malawi - Actual situation

Italy

Italy

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Officine Maccaferri
Group Profile
Founded in 1879, Officine Maccaferri soon became a
technical reference in the design and development of solu-
tions for erosion control and retaining structures.
Since then, through technological innovation, geographical
expansion and focussed diversification, Maccaferri now of-
fers solutions at a global level for a wide range of civil and
environmental engineering applications.

ANY REPRODUCTION, INCLUDING PHOTOCOPY, FILM AND MICROFILM, IS FORBIDDEN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE.
Consultancy and Partnership
Maccaferris motto is Engineering a Better Solution; We do
not merely supply products, but work in partnership with
our clients, offering technical expertise to deliver versatile,
cost effective and environmentally sound solutions. We
aim to build mutually beneficial relationships with clients
through the quality of our service and solutions.

Officine Maccaferri is at the heart of the Maccaferri Indus-

trial Group. Its continued growth is based upon long-held
values of innovation, integrity, excellent service and respect
for the environment.
Maccaferris vision is to become a leading international
provider of advanced solutions to the civil engineering and
construction market. Implementing a strategy of vertical
integration, Maccaferri researches, manufactures, designs,
supplies and constructs solutions within its target markets.
The capability of the business continues to expand due to a
strategic plan to open new markets and grow existing ones;
Maccaferri now offers advanced engineered solutions from
beach nourishment to reinforced soil structures and
from rockfall mitigation to tunnelling systems.
With over 2000 employees, 26 manufacturing facilities and
local operations in 100 countries around the world, Mac-
caferri can truly claim to have a global presence with local
focus.

Maccaferri: Engineering a better solution

Bureau Veritas Certified Quality System Company with

ACCREDIAs and UKASs accreditation

Officine Maccaferri S.p.A.

Via J. F. Kennedy, 10
40069 Zola Predosa (Bologna) - Italy
Phone ++39 051 6436000
Fax ++39 051 6436201
comes@maccaferri.com
www.maccaferri.com

2011 Officine Maccaferri S.p.A. - Bologna - Italy - Print: Litografia Zucchini - Project: graficamonti.com - Photo: Officine Maccaferri Archive