Different Types of Rip Rap

4 Different Types of Rip Rap

Rip rap typically ranges in size depending on how it is going to be used. Workers use larger crushed rip rap differently than tinier rip rap. However, most applications involve water and erosion control for different scenarios. Let’s take a look at the four main kinds of rip rap.

Type A Rip Rap

Type A rip rap is the biggest size of rip rap, which makes it perfect for areas that suffer from severe erosion on higher slopes and need to be protected from water, such as bridges or banks. This rip rap is great on steep slopes because it is heavy and stays stacked when installed. Type A rip rap rock is typically around 18 to 30 inches long. Using this type of riprap with other preventive measures is not uncommon either in the construction industry.

Type B Rip Rap

A little smaller than Type A, Class B rip rap still works great for many of the same types of projects. Usually, this type is used on slopes with less erosion than Type A. Type B rip rap is also perfect for steep slopes. All in all, this type of rip rap still prevents erosion efficiently despite being smaller than type A on average.

Type C Rip Rap

Type C rip rap is medium in size and is one of the most popular options on the market. It measures 6 x 18 inches and can range in sizes from half a foot to eighteen inches. These measurements make it the perfect size for projects like retaining walls, riverbanks, creeks. However, due to it being smaller than Type A and B, it is not used for significant erosion issues. Overall, it is excellent for smaller projects.

Type D

The smallest of the sizes of rip rap is Type D, which comes in around 4 inches to a foot per piece on average. Unlike the other types of rip rap, workers do not use Type D for erosion control. Instead it is commonly used as a base material or use it on the bottom of a trench.

How to Use Rip Rap

Rip Rap stone is a type of stone that has been crushed and screened. Due to this, it is extremely rugged and durable and tends to be too large to sink down into the soil where it is used. For this reason, rip rap is highly versatile and suitable for a number of different uses. So, to help our customers learn a little bit more about this kind of stone, we put together this quick but helpful intro course to rip rap:

4 to 5 Inches: A smaller size of rip rap is ideal as a base for things like a gravel parking lot or driveway. This size is small enough to not cause a lot of bumpiness to drive on, but the rip rap is also large and durable enough to take the wear that comes with having thousands of pounds of vehicles driving and parking on them every day.
6 to 9 Inches: These medium-sized stones are best suited for construction aspects like preventing erosion. Use this size to preserve the shorelines of rivers, lakes, and streams. This size is also helpful in deterring people from certain areas since they are uncomfortable to walk on.
9+ Inches: Larger rip rap stones are the most effective at reducing and preventing erosion. Due to this ability, they are often used in areas where extensive erosion is occurring or may occur shortly. Common areas include the sides of hills and other similar areas. This size is also commonly used in drainage ditches or to restore partially washed-away banks.

Overall, rip rap stones come in multiple different sizes and can be used for many different construction projects.

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