11/1/21, 11:38 AM Caltrans Riprap Sizes – Plainwater

November 1, 2021

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Caltrans Riprap Sizes

March 3, 2018 second 0

This has been superseded by Caltrans New Riprap Classes.

RSP Class D50Size1 D50Weight

inches pounds

8 Ton 71 17600

4 Ton 56 8800

2 Ton 45 4400

1 Ton 36 2200

1/2 Ton 28 1100

1/4 Ton 23 550

Light 16 200

Facing 12 75

Backing No 1 12 75

Backing No 2 8 25
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Backing No 3 4 2/3 5

Small RSP (7-inch) 3 1 1/3

Small RSP (5-inch) 2 2/5

Small RSP (4-inch) 1 1/20

1Assumes rock density = 165 lb/ft3

D50 Equivalent Spherical Diameter

Caltrans Standard Specifications

72-2 ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION

72-2.02A Rock

For method A placement and the class of RSP described, comply with the rock grading
shown in the following table:

Rock size Percentage larger thana

Class

8T 4T 2T 1T 1/2 T

16 Ton 0–5 — — — —

8 Ton 50–100 0–5 — — —

4 Ton 95–100 50–100 0–5 — —

2 Ton — 95–100 50–100 0–5 —

1 Ton — — 95–100 50–100 0–5

1/2 Ton — — — 95–100 50–100

1/4 Ton — — — — 95–100

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aFor
any class, the percentage of rock smaller than the smallest rock size must be
determined on the basis of weight. For all other rock sizes within a class, the
percentage must be determined on the basis of the ratio of the number of individual
rocks larger than the smallest size shown for that class compared to the total
number of rocks.

Rock Grading for Method A Placement

For method B placement and the class of RSP described, comply with the rock grading
shown in the following table:

Rock Percentage larger thana

size
Class

1T 1/2 T 1/4 T Light Facing No. 1 No. 2 No. 3

2 Ton 0–5 — — — — — — —

1 Ton 50– 0–5 — — — — — —

100

1/2 Ton — 50– 0–5 — — — — —

100

1/4 Ton 95– — 50– 0–5 — — — —

100 100

200 lb — 95– — 50– 0–5 0–5 — —

100 100

75 lb — — 95– — 50– 50– 0–5 —

100 100 100

25 lb — — — 95– 90– 90– 25– 0–5

100 100 100 75

5 lb — — — — — — 90– 25–
100 75

1 lb — — — — — — — 90–
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1 lb 90
100

aFor
any class, the percentage of rock smaller than the smallest rock size must be
determined on the basis of weight. For all other rock sizes within a class, the
percentage must be determined on the basis of the ratio of the number of individual
rocks larger than the smallest size shown for that class compared to the total
number of rocks.

Rock Grading for Method B Placement

Rock must have the values for the material properties shown in the following table:

Property California Test Value

Apparent specific gravity 206 2.5 minimum

Absorption 206 4.2% maximum

Durability index 229 52 minimum

Rock Material Properties

Select rock so that shapes provide a stable structure for the required section. If the slope
is steeper than 2:1, do not use rounded boulders and cobbles. Angular shaped rock may
be used on any planned slope. Flat or needle shaped rock must not be used unless the
individual rock thickness is greater than 0.33 times the length.

72-2.02B Fabric

Fabric must be RSP fabric that complies with the class shown in the following table:

Class Largest rock grading class used in slope protection

8 1 ton or smaller

10 Larger than 1 ton

Fabric Class

72-4 SMALL-ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION

72-4.02 MATERIALS
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Rock must be cobble, gravel, crushed gravel, crushed rock, or any combination of these.

If the rock layer is shown as 7 inches thick, comply with grading shown in the following
table:

Sieve sizes Percentage passing

5 inch 100

4 inch 90–100

3 inch 25–40

2 inch 0–10

Rock Grading for 7-inch-Thick Layer

If the rock layer is shown as 5 inches thick, comply with the grading shown in the
following table:

Sieve sizes Percentage passing

4 inch 100

3 inch 90–100

2 inch 25–40

1 inch 0–10

Rock Grading for 5-inch-Thick Layer

If the rock layer is shown as 4-inches thick, comply with grading shown in the following
table:

Sieve sizes Percentage passing

3 inch 100

2 inch 90–100

1 inch 25–40
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3/4 inch 0–10

Rock Grading for 4-inch Thick Layer

Granular material must contain at least 90 percent crushed particles when tested under
California Test 205.

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