Ice effects on riprap: Small-scale tests

We conducted model tests to simulate interaction between floating ice sheets and sloping banks protected with riprap stones. Two series of tests were conducted, representing ice action against model riprap bank protection when the ice sheet moves perpendicular and at an angle of 45 degrees to the shoreline. The first series of tests simulates ice shoving action, while the second series of tests incorporated both shoving and shearing actions of ice in equal proportion. We conducted 35 tests during the first series and 53 tests during the second series. The results indicate that the size of maximum stone (D-100) should be about 2.5 times the ice thickness to avoid damage from ice action either perpendicular or at an angle of 45 degrees to the shoreline. The data on the probability of riprap failure indicate that the likelihood of riprap damage increases with the slope of a riprap protected bank.