ANALYSIS OF CONTRACTION AND ABUTMENT SCOUR AT TWO SITES IN MINNESOTA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed the USGS bridge-scour data collection team to collect real-time scour (contraction and local) measurements at two contracted bridge openings over the Pomme de Terre River in western Minnesota during record flooding in the Minnesota River Basin in April 1997. The compiled field data were used to calibrate a step-backwater model (HEC-RAS) at each site. The total computed scour depths compared very well with total scour depths measured in the field. A much poorer agreement was found when comparing the computed abutment and contraction scour depths with the depths measured in the field. The overall comparison provided insight to the capabilities and limitations of using one-dimensional models and the available abutment and contraction scour equations to predict scour at contracted bridge openings. New methodologies must balance the desire to fully explain complex processes with the need to provide procedures that are time and cost effective to apply.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The proceedings are available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011
• Authors:
  • Wagner, C R
  • Mueller, D S
• Conference:
  • First International Conference on Scour of Foundations
  • Location: College Station, Texas
  • Date: 2002-11-17 to 2002-11-20
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1096-1110

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Bridges; Calculation; Calibration; Data collection; Depth; Floods; Mathematical models; Measurement; River basins; Scour
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contracted bridge openings
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00977084
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 9 2004 12:00AM