Review of embankment dam protections and a design methodology for downstream rockfill toes

ABSTRACT: The paper summarizes the most common embankment dam protections as well as some general design considerations. In addition, a brief summary of failure mechanisms is presented. Finally, a new design methodology about rockfill toe protections is introduced. This methodology has been the result of a PhD thesis developed in the Technical University of Madrid. Results of the experimental validation of this methodology are briefly described.