Development of Concrete Blocks for Creating Ecosystem in Rivers

Abstract

Techno rock is a concrete block which was originally designed as a protector of the riverbed during high water discharge. It is revealed that the block has a waterpurifying ability and a function of creating ecosystem in rivers. Experiments were performed to investigate how to enhance both dynamical and environmental abilities of the block.In order to protect scour or sedimentation, effects of attaching shades at the top and the inside a hole of the block were examined. Among several types of shades tested, two-shades type attached to the inside of the vertical hole were most effective to protect both the scour and sedimentation. Shades attached at the top of the upstream side reduced the scouring rate, whereas shades in the hole of the downstream side prevented the sedimentation.