Evaluation Of Bridge Scour Research

This report explores the current state of knowledge regarding bridge pier scour, assesses several methods for design estimates of scour depth, examines a structured methodology for scour depth estimation for design purposes, and highlights aspects of pier scour in need of potential further research.

"A comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment of scour and bridge foundations - both a handy reference text and a manual for the practicing bridge designer."--Publisher.

The purpose of this document is to identify and provide design guidelines for bridge scour and stream instability countermeasures that have been implemented by various State departments of transportation (DOTs) in the United States. Countermeasure experience, selection, and design guidance are consolidated from other FHWA publications in this document to support a comprehensive analysis of scour and stream instability problems and provide a range of solutions to those problems. The results of recently completed National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) projects are incorporated in the design guidance, including: countermeasures to protect bridge piers and abutments from scour; riprap design criteria, specifications, and quality control, and environmentally sensitive channel and bank protection measures. Selected innovative countermeasure concepts and guidance derived from practice outside the United States are introduced. In addition, guidance for the preparation of Plans of Action ...

Ever since the publication in 1997 the original Scour Manual has helped many practising hydraulic engineers to deal with scour processes near hydraulic structures. In recent years new insights, such as probabilistic calculations, offered new opportunities to design structures more economically. These new insights are included in this update of the original Scour Manual, which is focussing entirely on current-related scour. This manual provides the engineer with useful practical methods to calculate the dimensions of scour holes in the pre-feasibility and preliminary stages of a project, and gives an introduction to the most relevant literature. This updated Scour Manual contains guidelines that can be used to solve problems related to scour in engineering practice and also reflects the main results of all research projects in the Netherlands in recent decades. The so-called Breusers equilibrium method has a central role, which can basically be applied to all situations where local scour is expected. The method allows to predict the scour depth as a function of time, provided that the available knowledge about scour at the specific structure is sufficient. For structures with insufficient knowledge available, alternative scour prediction rules are presented. The treatment of local scour is classified according to the different types of structures. Each type of structure is necessarily schematised to a simple, basic layout. The main parameters of a structure and the main parts of the flow pattern near a structure are described briefly insofar they are relevant to the description of scour phenomena. New scour formulas for the equilibrium scour have been elucidated. Evaluating a balance of forces for a control volume, it is possible to develop scour equations for different types of flow fields and structures, i.e. jets, abutments and bridge piers. As many scour problems are still not fully understood, attention is paid to the validity ranges and limitations of the formulas, as well as to the accuracy of the scour predictions. This information can also be used to carry out a risk assessment using a safety philosophy based on a probabilistic analysis or an approach with a safety factor. Moreover, the information on the strength of soils is extended and aspects are addressed such as scour due to shear failures or flow slides, that can progressively damage the bed protection which might lead to the failure of hydraulic structures. This updated Scour Manual presents scour prediction methods and deals with practically related scour problems. Consultants and contractors were invited to provide case studies of realized projects, including the methods that were followed. These case studies will help with grasping the concept of scour by the flow of water. This manual provides the engineer with the latest knowledge and with case studies that show how to apply the formulas and their limitations.