GROYNES OR SPURS
• These are a hydraulic structure constructed transverse
to the direction of river flow and extend from the
bank of the river to the width of river up to a certain
limit.
• These structures are usually made of timber, concrete,
or rock, and their primary purpose is to control the
river's flow by slowing down the water's speed and
directing the flow towards the center of the river
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROYNES AND
SPURS
GROYNES SPURS
• Groynes are erected perpendicular to the • spurs are sloping or angled structures
riverbank or shoreline and project into that are built parallel to the shoreline or
the water. They are either perfectly or riverbank and extend into the water.
nearly perpendicular. • spurs are often sloping or angled
• Groynes are usually straight or • In order to stop silt from being carried
perpendicular away from a specific area of shoreline or
• The purpose of groynes is to prevent riverbank, spurs are used to stop
longshore currents from carrying silt longshore currents in their tracks.
along the river or coast.
• Sediment Management: River sediment, such as sand
OBJECTIVES
and gravel, can be managed via groynes and spurs.
They aid in preventing the upstream movement of
sediment, which can result in erosion and alter the
river's flow.
• Bank Protection: The riverbanks are kept stable and
don't erode thanks to groynes and spurs. By regulating
water flow, they can lessen the chance of bank
erosion and safeguard neighboring populations and
infrastructure.
• Water supply: River water flow can be controlled for
irrigation reasons using groynes and spurs as well.
They can aid in ensuring a consistent supply of water
for agriculture and other uses by regulating the flow
of water.
• Flood control: Especially in the rainy season, groynes
OBJECTIVES
and spurs aid in regulating the water flow in rivers and
coastal areas. They lower the chance of floods and
support the protection of local residents and
infrastructure by reducing the pace of the water.
• Navigation: For boats and other watercraft to navigate
the river or coastal area, groynes and spurs help to
establish a distinct and well-defined channel. This is
crucial in locations with shallow rivers or along the
shore where the water flow could be erratic.
CLASSIFICATIONS
❖ CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION
PERMEABLE GROYNES SOLID IMPERMEABLE GROYNES
• Impermeable groynes do not permit
• Permeable groynes usually made of
water to flow through them.
materials such as wood and Bamboo,
• They are typically constructed using
while materials such as rocks, gravel
solid materials such as concrete,
and gabions can be used for
timber, or rock.
impermeable groynes.
• They are more effective in
• permit water through it but with a
managing sediment
reduced velocity of flow.
transport than permeable groynes, as
• may require more maintenance than
they do not allow sediment to pass
traditional groynes, as the gaps
through
between the porous materials can
• They work by trapping sediment that
become clogged with sediment over
would otherwise be transported along
time, reducing their effectiveness
the coast or river by longshore
currents, preventing erosion and
building up beaches.
CLASSIFICATIONS
❖ CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO ITS HEIGHT BELOW FLOOD LEVEL
SUBMERGED GROYNES NON-SUBMERGED GROYNES
• Submerged groynes are constructed • Non-submerged groynes are constructed
where river depth is very deep. with a height greater than maximum
• are a form of groyne used to control flood level..
erosion and sedimentation in rivers • Due to their location above the water's
and coastal areas. surface and potential to alter the natural
• due to the need for specific tools and coastline, they may be more visually
methods for underwater construction obtrusive than groynes that are
and maintenance, they can be more submerged.
expensive to build and maintain than • Non-submerged groynes can create
conventional groynes. habitats for fish and other aquatic life, as
• The effectiveness of submerged they can provide shelter and food
groynes depends on several factors, sources.
such as the local sediment transport • can alter the local hydrodynamics
patterns, wave energy, and water and wave patterns, which can have
depth negative impacts on the local ecosystem.
CLASSIFICATIONS
❖ CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE FUNCTION IT SERVES
ATTRACTING GROYNES REPELLING GROYNES
• are constructed in such a way that their head is • Repelling groynes are built with their head
pointing towards the downstream side of the towards upstream with an inclination of 60 to
river as shown in the figure below. 80 degrees with the bank
• built with an angle of 45 to 60 degrees with the • They repel the water-flow towards the bank on
bank. Since it is inclined towards downstream, which it is located
the water-flow will attract towards the bank on • The flow is mostly attacking the head area of
which groyne is located. the groynes. It should therefore be constructed
• The water flow attacks the upstream side of with strong protection. The silt pocket that
attractive groynes severely, thus it must be built forms at the upstream side of the repelling
with adequate defenses. groyne is where the sediments that the water
• They offer protection to the opposing bank, but carries are deposited. These groynes are more
they could have an adverse effect on nearby useful for river training and bank protection
institutions. than attracting groynes and are frequently
• In this kind of groyne, silting is also not employed.
conceivable. Consequently, these are not advised.
DEFLECTING GROYNES SEDIMENT GROYNES
• Deflecting groynes are built perpendicular to the • When the amount of sediment carried by the
bank and they just deflect the water-flow without river water is substantial, sediment groynes
repelling and provide local protection to the are built.
banks • These allow for the sedimentation of the
• The main objective of deflecting groynes is to stream by lowering stream velocity. They
manage erosion and sedimentation by redirecting don't divert or reject the flow.
the flow of water and sediment, which can help • Permeable groynes are typically employed as
to build up beaches and stabilize shorelines sediment groynes.
• They are generally short and used for limited, • They are constructed using porous materials
local protection. such as timber, brushwood, or vegetation.
• can be constructed from a variety of materials,
such as wood, rock, and concrete. Depending on
the individual coastal conditions and objectives,
they can range in size from a few meters to
hundreds of meters.
• Train the river along a desired course by attracting,
repelling or deflecting the main or subsidiary flow in a
channel
• Induce a slower current with the object of silting up
the area in the vicinity
• Protect the river bank by keeping the attacking or fast
flow away from it
• Contract a wide river channel usually for improving
the depth for navigation.
• Spur designs relevant to a given situation are finalized
only after conducting model studies; however, the
DESIGN OF following basic parameters always influence the basic
GROYNES OR
design of spurs :
(a) River discharge
SPURS (b) Angle of attack
(c) Sediment load
(d) Meander length
(e) Curvature of the river
f) Upstream and downstream river training
measures
LENGTH
• The length of the spur is kept more than 1.5 to 2
times the depth of flow while at the same time
keeping it less than 0.2 times the width of river for its
DESIGN OF effective role.
GROYNES OR
SPURS
SPACING
Criterias are :
(a) Spacing between adjacent spurs is usually kept 2 to
2.5 times the spur length.
DESIGN OF (b) Spurs used for bank protection should be spaced at 5
times their length.
GROYNES OR (c) Spurs used in navigation channels are generally spaced
SPURS at 0.75 to 2 times their length.
(d) Conditions being similar, the spacing of spurs on a
wide river is more than on a narrower river.
(e) A convex bank requires a larger spacing while a
concave bank needs a smaller spacing.
(f) An intermediate spacing may be adopted in the
straight reach between two consecutive bends of a river,
called a crossing.
TOP WIDTH
• The top width of a spur is kept between 3 and 6 m.
FREEBOARD
• A freeboard of 1 m to 1.5 m above the highest flood
DESIGN OF level should always be provided for non-
GROYNES OR submersible spurs (spurs can also be designed as
submersible ones).
SPURS • Side Slopes The upstream face is given a slope of 1 :
2 (V : H) while the downstream face is given a slope
of 1 : 1.5 or 1 : 2 (V : H) (Figure 11.5). The slopes are
provided with stone pitching placed manually.
Below the pitching, a graded filter 20 cm to 30 cm
thick is provided. The stone pitching is protected by
a launching apron.
SIDE SLOPES
DESIGN OF
• The upstream face is given a slope of 1 : 2 (V : H)
while the downstream face is given a slope of
GROYNES OR 1 : 1.5 or 1 : 2 (V : H). The slopes are provided with
stone pitching placed manually. Below the pitching,
SPURS a graded filter 20 cm to 30 cm thick is provided. The
stone pitching is protected by a launching apron.
ADVANTAGE ADVANTAGES
& • Spurs or groynes can aid in channel stabilization
and stop bank erosion, protecting neighboring
communities and infrastructure.
• They can change the direction of water and
sediment movement, which can lessen the risk of
sedimentation and make a riverbed more stable.
• Because they can act as a haven and a source of
food, spurs and groynes can help fish and other
aquatic creatures find a home.
• In comparison to other river training projects like
DISADVANTAGE levees or revetments, they may be more
affordable.
ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGES
& • Spurs and groynes have the potential to change
the local hydrodynamics and flow patterns, which
could be detrimental to the ecosystem.
• Due to material being caught upstream and unable
to go farther, they can cause erosion and
sedimentation issues downstream of the structure.
• It can be expensive to maintain spurs or groynes,
particularly if they are built from hard materials
like concrete or rock.
• In addition to obstructing the natural river
DISADVANTAGE channel, they might be visually bothersome.
