AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SCOUR PROTECTION ALTERNATIVES AT BRIDGE PIERS. DRAFT REPORT

Construction of structures within the floodplain of a river or stream has significant effects on the hydraulic performance of the waterway. These encroachments have an even more pronounced effect during flood events. During floods, the flow of water is redirected and accelerated through the constricted opening precipitating local scour. Bridge substructures, such as piers and embankments, are often susceptible to being undermined by the local scour. This local scour is the leading cause of bridge failure over streams and rivers. As a countermeasure against the undermining of the bridge piers, riprap has been the most common and best documented material. However, there may be a need for an alternative to riprap for several reasons. These include availability, cost, performance, and design guidance. Riprap has been researched considerably, however, alternatives have received very little attention. This study conceives and explores alternatives ranging from constructed armor units to flexible single-units. The alternatives that are evaluated in this study are: grout mats, grout bags, extended footings, tetrapods, cable-tied blocks, tile mats, high-density particles, and anchors.

• Corporate Authors:

  GKY & Associates, Incorporated

  5411-E Backlick Road
  Springfield, VA  United States  22151

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Bertoldi, D A
  • Jones, J S
  • Stein, S M
  • Kilgore, R T
  • Atayee, A T
• Publication Date: 1996-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 87 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Blocks; Cables; Countermeasures; Footings; High density; Particles; Protection; Riprap; Scour
• Uncontrolled Terms: Anchors; Cable-tied blocks
• Old TRIS Terms: Extended footings; Grout bags; Grout mats; High density particles; Tetrapods; Tile mats
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00720254
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-95-187, NCP 3D3b2152
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-91-C-00013
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 22 1996 12:00AM