Using broken concrete for rip-rap
Using broken concrete for rip-rap
(OP)
I have a job where earlier work placed a 6 inch layer of concrete on a breakwater. The state guys that approve of work on these using state funds don't like it. They want it removed and ordinary riprap placed.
My plan is just to use jack hammers or hydraulic breakers on a back-hoe to reduce the concrete to pieces resembling rip-rap.
We may add some regular rock rip-rap and mix it in for getting a thicker layer.
Comments?
My plan is just to use jack hammers or hydraulic breakers on a back-hoe to reduce the concrete to pieces resembling rip-rap.
We may add some regular rock rip-rap and mix it in for getting a thicker layer.
Comments?





RE: Using broken concrete for rip-rap
On rivers there was some concern if you didn't break it, it floats really well and you may have to go downstream to clean up.
Is it appearance that is the problem? Could you color the concrete and add some rock of shapes to cover up the concrete to important locations? Or at least only "correct" the visible areas.
RE: Using broken concrete for rip-rap
This is on a lake crated by dams on the Mississippi where the only erosion action is occasional big waves in windy conditions, with a reach of a few miles. Wave height is a few feet max. At flood times this is overtopped and current is still quite slow.
The only real reason for this work is to fix up some areas that had a blacktop surfacing which broke up due to wave action. The concreted area held up well, but the funding for the work had the stipulation to remove the concrete.
We will add a mix of breaker run rock up to 18" armor rock on top of the broken up concrete, mostly hiding it.
RE: Using broken concrete for rip-rap
FarmallFan