ITEM 601 SLOPE AND CHANNEL PROTECTION
601.01 Description. This work consists of the excavation for and the construction of gutters,
riprap, concrete, grouted items, tied concrete block mats, articulating concrete block revetment systems, crushed aggregate, or rock items for protecting slopes and channels. Use removed or excavated materials in the Work when the material conforms to the specifications; if not, then recycle or dispose of the material according to 105.16 and 105.17.
601.02 Materials. Furnish materials conforming to:
Curing ....................... 451 or 705.07 Type 1 Concrete, Class QC-Misc, QC 1 ... 499, 511 Water for grout ................................. 499.02 Reinforcing steel. ............................. 509.02 Cement for grout ................................... 701 Structural Backfill Type 3 ................ 703.11 Sand for grout. ................................. 703.03 Rock and Aggregate Materials......... 703.19 Coarse Aggregate ............................. 703.20 Brick and blocks ................................... 704 Preformed expansion joint ............... 705.03 Joint sealer ....................................... 705.04 Geotextile Fabric, Type B ................ 712.09 Provide steel Geotextile Fabric securing pins with washers for securing Geotextile Fabric. Use a steel washer having an outside diameter not less than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm). Use securing pins at least 18 inches (0.5 m) long and at least 3/16 inch (5 mm) in diameter that are pointed at one end and fabricated with a head to retain the steel washer. Ensure tied concrete block mats and articulating concrete block revetment systems are held together by galvanized steel wire, HDPE mesh, polypropylene mesh, or stainless steel wire.
601.03 General Construction. Cure gutters, concrete slope protection, and grouted riprap
according to Item 451, except apply all the membrane cures at the rate of not less than 1 gallon per 200 square feet (1 L/5 m²) of surface. Mix and place all concrete according to Item 511. Finish to produce a sandy texture.
601.04 Riprap. Construct riprap according to one of the following four alternatives unless
specifically itemized in the Contract. The Contractor may elect to use a different alternative at each location on the project.
A.Type A - Provide Flat Stones or Broken Concrete . Ensure that individual pieces are roughly rectangular in cross -section with a minimum volume of 1/3 cubic foot (0.01 m³) and a minimum thickness of 3 inches (75 mm). Place individual pieces by hand in courses and so that the pieces overlap the joints in the course below. Place riprap with the flat surfaces roughly perpendicular to the slope and in contact with the courses immediately below and above. Fill spaces between larger pieces with spalls that are rammed into place to present an even and tight surface, pleasing in appearance and varying not more than 3 inches (75 mm) from that shown on the plans. When required by the plans, fill riprap with grout. Compact the backing as riprap construction progresses. Ensure that the thickness of the riprap, measured perpendicular to the slope, is not flatter than 9 inches (230 mm) and averages not flatter than 12 inches (0.3 m).
B.Type B - Provide Articulating Concrete Block Revetment System. Ensure articulating concrete block revetment conform to 712.13. Install according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
C.Type C - Construct Concrete Riprap Using Cloth or Burlap Bags. After soaking the bags with water, fill them with approximately 2/3 cubic foot (0.02 m³) of concrete and place the bags by hand to the limits on the plans. Provide bags with approximate dimensions of 6 12 16 inches (150 300 400 mm). Stack the bags on the slope to ensure a minimum of 1/3 cubic yard (0.3 m³) of concrete for each square yard (square meter) of riprap in place as measured along the slope. Tie the open end of each bag and fold the tie under the bag. Place each tie or fold so that it overlaps the joint in the lower layer. After placing, pierce each bag in the lower layer to allow some concrete to flow out and bond with the top overlying layer. Stretchers are bags placed with the long length parallel to the streambed flow. Headers are bags placed with the long length perpendicular to the streambed flow. A layer runs horizontally at approximately the same elevation perpendicular to the protected slope grade. If the slope is 1.5:1 or steeper, make the bottom layer with two bags laid as stretchers. Place the next overlying layer as a header. Place the rest of the overlying upslope layers as stretchers. If the slope is flatter than 1.5:1, make the bottom layer with two bags as stretchers. Place all remaining layers as headers. Push or drive No. 4 (No. 13M) reinforcing bars approximately 18 inches (0.5 m) long and spaced approximately 12 inches (0.3 m) apart through the top three layers. When required by the plans, fill voids with grout.
D.Type D - Reinforced Concrete Slab . Construct a 6 -inch (150 mm) reinforced concrete slab according to the plans and the standard construction drawing . The Contractor may use formed construction joints. Extend reinforcement through all formed construction joints. Include cutoff walls as shown on the plans in the unit price bid for reinforced concrete slab.
601.05 Grouted Riprap or Rock. When specified, grout in place riprap cloth bags, riprap burlap
bags, flat stones, precast blocks, broken concrete, rock, or tied concrete block mats. Make the grout by mixing one part portland cement, three parts sand, and enough water to allow the grout to flow into the joints and cracks. Prepare the grout in a mixing machine of an approved design and equipped with an accurate graduated regulating device for controlling the amount of water in each batch. Accurately measure and proportion the quantities for each batch, and ensure that the quantities are exactly sufficient for one or more sacks of cement. Immediately before applying grout, thoroughly wet all surfaces. Place the grout, filling all the joints or voids. Do not add water to the grout after it has been placed.
601.06 Crushed Aggregate Slope Protection. Furnish material conforming to 703.19. Place the
material on the Geotextile Fabric so that the surface is flush with the embankment slopes. Use a thickness of 12 inches (300 mm) unless a different thickness is specified. Extend the aggregate from the face of the abutments down to the toe of the slope or to normal water elevation, and a minimum of 3 feet (1 m) beyond the outer edges of the superstructures or as shown on the plans.
601.07 Concrete Slope Protection. Construct a concrete slab, 6 inches (150 mm) thick,
extending over the embankment area under a bridge from the face of the abutment down to the toe of the slope and extending a minimum of 3 feet (1 m) beyond the outer edges of the superstructure or as shown on the plans. Thicken the bottom 3 feet (1 m) of the concrete slab from 6 to 18 inches (150 to 460 mm) to provide resistance to sliding. Where pier columns extend through the slab, place 1 inch (25 mm) preformed expansion joint material around the columns and for the full thickness of the slab. Divide the surface into an equally spaced block grid pattern at approximately 4 to 5 foot (1.2 to 1.5
m.intervals. Make the block grid pattern with one direction horizontally at a constant elevation or as directed by the Engineer, and the other direction parallel to the superstructure centerline, skewed, or as directed by the Engineer. Saw or form the block grid pattern to make joints at a depth of not less than one-fourth the thickness of the slab and approximately 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide.
601.08 Dumped Rock Fill. Furnish material conforming to 703.19. Dump larger pieces at the
outer face and smaller pieces in the inner surface of the protected area. Ensure a reasonably smooth and continuous surface conforming to the slope lines shown on the plans. Avoid concentration of fines and small pieces at any l ocation in the completed dumped rock fill material. When required by the plans fill all voids with grout.
601.09 Rock Channel Protection. Furnish material conforming to 703.19. When specified with
a filter, provide a filter consisting of Geotextile Fabric or a 6 -inch (150 mm) bed of aggregate conforming to 703.19. When placing rock, exercise reasonable care to ensure that the finished surface of the protected channel conforms to the channel cross-sections shown on the plans. If Geotextile Fabric is used, prepare the surface to receive the fabric to a relatively smooth surface, free of obstruction and debris. With the long dimension parallel to the flow direction, loosely place the fabric without wrinkles and creases. Where joints are necessary, p rovide a 12 inch (0.3 m) minimum overlap, with the upstream strip overlapping the downstream strip. Place securing pins with washers at a minimum distance apart of 2 feet (0.6 m) along the joints and at a minimum distance apart of 5 feet (1.5 m) everywhere else. When required by the plans fill all voids with grout.
601.10 Detention Basin Filter, Infiltration Basin Filter, Infiltration Trench Filter or
Bioretention Cell. For Infiltration Basin Filter furnish course aggregate No. 57 or 67 conforming to
703.20 Use a thickness of 6 inches (150 mm) unless a different thickness is specified. Place the
material on the geotextile fabric so that the surface is flush with the elevation as specified. Prepare the surface to receive the geotextile fabric to a relatively smooth surface, free of obstruction and debris. With the long dimension parallel to the flow direction, loosely place the geotextile fabric without wrinkles and creases. Where joints are necessary, provide a 12 inch (0.3 m) minimum overlap, with the upstream strip overlapping the downstream strip. Place securing pins with washers at a minimum distance apart of 2 feet (0.6 m) along the joints and at a minimum distance apart of 5 feet (1.5 m) everywhere else. For Infiltration Trench Filter furnish course aggregate No. 1 or 2 conforming to 703.20. Place infiltration trench aggregate No. 1 or 2 on the geotextile fabric at the thickness specified. Prepare the surface to receive the geotextile fabric to be relatively smooth, free of obstruction and debris. With the long dimension parallel to the flo w direction, loosely place the fabric without wrinkles and creases. Where joints are necessary, provide a 12 -inch (0.3 m) minimum overlap, with the upstream strip overlapping the downstream strip. Place securing pins with washers at a minimum distance apart of 2 feet (0.6 m) along the joints and at a minimum distance apart of 5 feet (1.5 m) everywhere else. For Bioretention Cell furnish material as specified at the thickness specified.
601.11 Paved Gutter. Mix and place concrete paved gutters according to Items 499 and 511 and
to the dimensions and shape shown on the plans or the standard construction drawing. When gutter constructed under this item is to be tied to an existing concrete base, pavement, or other rigid structure, match the type and location of the joints in the gutter with those in the adjoining pavement. When gutter constructed under this item is not tied to an existing concrete base, form impressed joints using a device or bar shaped to the gutter cross-section. Make the impression before initial setting of the newly placed concrete. Remove the device or bar as soon as the concrete is in such condition to retain its shape when the bar or device is removed. Form an impressed joint that is 3/8 inch (10 mm) wide at the surface; 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide at the bottom; and a depth equal to one -third the thickness of the concrete. Edge the joints to a radius not greater than 1/4 inch (6 mm). Until the filler is placed, protect the joint from dirt or foreign matter. Fill the impressed joints in such a manner to confine the material to the joint and in no way mar the surface. Compact the subgrade for all paved gutters according to 204.03. When required by the plans fill all voids with grout.
601.12 Tied Concrete Block Mat. When specified, use Tied Concrete Block Mat with Type ___
Underlayment conforming to 712.12 as shown on the plans. Install per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
601.13 Articulating Concrete Block Revetment System. When specified, use Articulating
Concrete Block Revetment System Type ( )_conforming to 712.13 as shown on the plans. Install per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
601.14 Method of Measurement. The Department will measure Riprap, Articulating Concrete
Block Revetment System, Crushed Aggregate Slope Protection, Concrete Slope Protection, and Tied Concrete Block Mats by the square yard (square meter) of the finished surface completed and accepted in place, with or without grout. The Department will measure Dumped Rock Fill and Rock Channel Protection (with or without filter), by the cubic yard (cubic meter), completed and accepted in place according to the dimensions shown on the plans, excluding rock filter, with or without grout . The Department may determine quantities by volume in the vehicle or by a job conversion weight of acceptable material delivered. The Department will measure Paved Gutter by the foot (meter) completed and accepted in place.
601.15 Basis of Payment. The Department will specify with grout in the pay item description
when required. When the pay item calls out Tied Concrete Block Mat or Articulating Concrete Block Revetment System, include Geotextile Fabric material and installation in the price. The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract prices as follows: Item Unit Description 601 Square Yard Riprap (Square Meter) 601 Square Yard Crushed Aggregate Slope Protection (Square Meter) 601 Square Yard Concrete Slope Protection (Square Meter) 601 Square Yard Tied Concrete Block Mat with (Square Meter) Type ___Underlayment 601 Square Yard Articulating Concrete Block Revetment (Square Meter) System, Type___ 601 Cubic Yard Dumped Rock Fill, Type ___ (Cubic Meter) 601 Cubic Yard Rock Channel Protection, (Cubic Meter) Type ___ with Filter 601 Cubic Yard Rock Channel Protection, (Cubic Meter) Type ___ without Filter 601 Cubic Yard Rock Channel Protection, (Cubic Meter) Type ___ with Aggregate Filter 601 Square Yard Detention Basin Filter (Square Meter) 601 Square Yard Infiltration Basin Filter (Square Meter) 601 Square Yard Infiltration Trench Filter (Square Meter) 601 Cubic Yard Bioretention Cell (Cubic Meter) 601 Foot (Meter) Paved Gutter
Referenced in this section
Sections that cite this one
Slope and Channel Protection in other states
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Source: Construction and Material Specifications, 2023 (rev. 7/17/2026) Edition. Pages 443–448 of 892. View official source ↗