What is a Rock Rip Rap?

Rock Rip Rap is basically a rock wall that is put down to protect the shoreline from the crashing waves.  Erosion of the shoreline is a common problem in Lake Michigan.  Rock Rip Rap retaining walls help slow this process down by allowing the waves to hit the wall and not the dirt the wall is protecting.  You also find Rip Rap around bridge foundations and at the piers of both Grand Haven and South Haven‘s piers as well as around Holland‘s lighthouse area.  While there are rip rap type seawalls there are lots of other types such as Steel Seawalls and Outcropping Seawalls.

Rocks for Rip Rap range in size from 4 inches to a couple of feet.  This ensures that they are not going to be moved by animals.  Rock Rip Rap also protects the shoreline from animals trying to den in the area.   When the larger racks are in place, the gaps will be filled in with smaller rocks and dirt to solidify the rock fortress.

Protecting the shoreline from erosion with rip rap walls.

Erosion from waves can really be a bad situation for bridges and roadways.  Because of this, you often will see Rock Rip Rap around these areas to prevent this type of erosion.  Rock Rip Rap has a very natural look to it, which is different than say the metal sheets that are used in some other seawalls.  However, rip rap can be costly, should you not have a local source to get the large rocks from.  Transporting these large rocks is no simple task.  Many regular contractors don’t have the abilities. However, Viking Marine Construction LLC has you covered with our state-of-the-art equipment.  We have many different heavy machinery options that will be able to move those rocks directly into place on the shoreline.

While it might look like rip rap is simply a pile of rocks, there is actually engineering behind it.  This means that you cannot just go out had to throw some rocks down and you are good. This can actually be more damaging to the shoreline.  You want to have it installed by professionals that know what they are doing and understand the process.  Things like how thick the rip rap should be and how tall are things that will be determined before installation will begin.

Grouted Rip Rap

Many times people like the look of Rock Rip Rap but want a more solid wall.  When that is the request, then grouted Rock Rip Rap walls are what they need.  Grouted Rock Rip Rap is rip-rap walls with concrete or cement used in the cracks at the final step.  This will grout the rocks together forming a more solid wall.  However, this type of rip rap will need extra protection again undermining and scour in order to be effective.

Rock Rip Rap is very effective in helping slow down erosion at the shoreline.  Because of this, you probably have seen it around the lakeshore towns of Western Michigan.  If you have a marine construction project or need more information on marine construction in general, call Viking Marine Construction LLC at 616-294-3597.