In the fight against erosion, articulated concrete blocks serve as an option to armor auxiliary spillways.

A new chapter in the National Engineering Handbook – reviewed by Freese and Nichols’ Grady Hillhouse, PE, and Colin Young, PE – covers articulated concrete blocks (ACBs), its usages, new design methodologies, design considerations, maintenance and installation guidance.

Grady and Colin worked in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service ’s...