IMPACTS OF 1993 UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN FLOODS ON HIGHWAY SYSTEMS

An investigation of the primary and secondary highway infrastructure in the Upper Mississippi River Basin was conducted to determine the modes and mechanisms of damage caused by the 1993 flooding. Several modes of failure observed are presented. Dramatic examples of scour in sites of highway embankment breaches, scour at bridge abutments on broad floodplains, and scour in rock are presented. Flow over embankments damaged highway embankments and long reaches of highway shoulder and pavement. Slope and embankment failures were caused also by saturation of fill and slope materials and by groundwater effects. Debris transported by floodwater accumulated on secondary roadway bridges substructures, causing catastrophic collapse of structures.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Photos; References;
  • Pagination: p. 32-37
  • Monograph Title: 1993 Midwest floods and water quality best management practices
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00713556
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Nov 16 1995 12:00AM