LABORATORY STUDY OF LOCAL SCOUR AT BRIDGE PIERS

This paper describes some fifty small-scale experiments concerning local scour at model bridge piers using a fine sand. The piers were varied in both size and shape, and operated in the extremely low range of pier Reynolds numbers between 1300 and 5700. The results are used to extend the working range of two commonly used scour equations. The results are also considered in the light of recent aeronautical work on the horseshoe vortex phenomenon, and certain fundamental differences observed between the vortex structure in the rigid and the loose boundary situations. Some suggestions are made as to how future research in this field might successfully incorporate this aeronautical knowledge.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • International Association for Hydraulic Research, 16th Congress, Proceedings, Reprint: Fundam Tools To Be Used In Environ Probl, V2 - Subj B - Fluvial Hydraul, Univ of Sao Paulo, Braz, July 27-Aug 1, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Association for Hydraulic Research

  Room 61, Box 177
  Delft,   Netherlands 
• Authors:
  • Knight, D W
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 243-250
• Serial:
  • Publication of: International Association for Hydraulic Research
  • Publisher: International Association for Hydraulic Research

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Force; Piers; Scour; Sedimentation; Structural piers; Support piles; Waves
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sediment transport
• Old TRIS Terms: Wave forces on structures
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139400
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1976 12:00AM