- A loose assemblage of broken stones erected in water or on soft ground as a foundation.
- The broken stones used for such a foundation.
- To construct a riprap in or on.
- To strengthen with a riprap.
[Reduplication of RAP1.]
riprap
Dictionary:
rip·rap (rĭp'răp')  |
n.
| 5min Related Video: riprap |
| Wordsmith Words: riprap |
(RIP-rap)
noun
1. A protective foundation, embankment, etc. made of loose chunks of stones placed together.
2. Material used for such a construction.
verb tr.
To construct, or strengthen with, a riprap.
Etymology
Reduplication of rap.
"Access to Everett's waterfront has been blocked by railroad tracks, asphalt and political riprap, said Peggy Toepel, head of the Everett Shorelines Coalition, which advocates for public waterfront access." — Janice Podsada; Once Pipeline is Finished, New Beach Can Emerge; Daily Herald (Everett, Washington); Dec 1, 2003.
"The seawall, which lies beneath the sand, is constructed of riprap, topped by imported dune grass from Holland." — Carolyn Leal; Windows to the World; Santa Cruz Sentinel (California); Nov 23, 2003.
| Architecture: riprap |
1. Irregularly broken and random-sized large pieces of quarry rock; individual stones ranging from very large (2 to 3 cu yd, approx. 1.5 to 2.3 cu m) to small (1/2 cu ft, approx. 0.014 cu m); used for foundations and revetments.
2. A foundation or parapet of stones thrown together without any attempt at regular structural arrangement.
| Wikipedia: Riprap |
Riprap — also known as rip rap, rubble, shot rock or rock armour — is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion.
It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite, limestone or occasionally concrete rubble from building and paving demolition. It is used to protect coastlines and structures from erosion by the sea, rivers, or streams. It is used on any waterways or water containment where there is potential for water erosion.
Contents |
Protection mechanism
Riprap works by absorbing and deflecting the impact of a wave before the wave reaches the defended structure. The size and mass of the riprap material absorbs the impact energy of waves, while the gaps between the riprap traps and slows the flow of water, lessening its ability to erode soil or structures. The mass of riprap also provides protection against impact damage by ice or debris, which is particularly desirable for bridge supports and pilings.
It is frequently used to protect the base of old Edwardian/Victorian sea walls, which due to the vertical wall, are often undermined. The riprap absorbs the impact of the waves as they shoot up the wall, and then fall back down.
In the Western United States, riprap can also refer to a cross between cobblestones and stairs.
See also
- Erosion control
- Riparian zone
- Revetment
- Accropode
- Baer's law
- Construction aggregate
- Dimension stone
- Limestone
- Bridge scour
- Hudson's equation
References
- Ciria-CUR (2007) - Rock Manual - The use of rock in hydraulic engineering.
- N.W.H. Allsop (2002) - Breakwaters, coastal structures and coastlines.
- US Dept. of Transportation (2004) - Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
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| Revetment (civil engineering & architecture) |
 | Which are important considerations when using riprap for erosion control? Read answer... |
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wordsmith Words. © 2009 Wordsmith.org. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Architecture. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Riprap". Read more |
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Mentioned in
- drainage channel
- Beat writers
- Revetment (civil engineering & architecture)
- True Night (Author Biography) (poem)
