ENHANCED ABUTMENT SCOUR STUDIES FOR COMPOUND CHANNELS

Experimental results and analyses are given in this report on bridge abutment scour in compound channels. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory flume with a cross section consisting of a wide floodplain adjacent to a main channel. The embankment length, discharge, sediment size, and abutment shape were varied, and the resulting equilibrium scour depths were measured. Water-surface profiles, velocities, and scour-hole contours were also measured. In the report, a methodology is developed for estimating abutment scour that takes into account the redistribution of discharge in the bridge contraction, abutment shape, sediment size, and tailwater depth. The independent variables in the proposed scour formula are evaluated at the approach-channel cross section and can be obtained from a one-dimensional water-surface profile computer program such as the Water-Surface Profile Program (WSPRO). The proposed scour evaluation procedure is outlined and illustrated, including consideration of the time required to reach equilibrium scour. The proposed methodology is applied to two cases of measured scour in the field.

• Record URL:
  http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/hydraulics/99156/99156.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/40749
• Corporate Authors:

  Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

  School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 790 Atlantic Drive, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30332-0355

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Sturm, T W
• Publication Date: 2004-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 144 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Case studies; Channels (Waterways); Flumes; Laboratory tests; Scour
• Identifier Terms: WSPRO (Computer program)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Compound channels
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00978444
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-99-156,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-94-C-00198
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 13 2004 12:00AM