Boundary Conditions for Bridge Scour Analysis

The purpose of this study is to determine surge hydrographs which may be used in the analysis of proposed and existing highway structures along Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds. Historical data for tropical storms over the period 1886-1996 were collected and analyzed to identify storms proximate to the project study area. Application of the process models (CE Wind Model and ADCIRC Model) and statistical models (EST) resulted in predicted surge values at 25, 50 and 100 year return periods. These peaks were then incorporated into synthetic time series used to characterize the shape of the design hydrograph. The results of the surge modeling suggest that the simple exponential form of the hydrograph, recommended by the FHWA pooled fund study 'Development of Hydraulic Computer Models to Analyze Tidal and Coastal Stream Hydraulic Conditions and Highway Structures', may be inadequate to characterize stations which experience periods of negative surge. An empirical approach based on a damped sine wave was developed as an alternative. The recommended procedure for implementing the results of the study suggests that both types of hydrographs be modeled, with design parameters based on the worst-case conditions.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57525
• Corporate Authors:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Center for Transportation Engineering Studies, P.O. Box 7908
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 25201, 1 South Wilmington Street
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27611

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Overton, Margery F
  • Grenier Jr, Roger R
  • Fisher, John S
• Publication Date: 1999-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 86p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Empirical methods; Hydrography; Numerical analysis; Scour; Storm surges
• Identifier Terms: Albemarle-Pimlico Sound
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01111578
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/NC/98-002
• Contract Numbers: 23241-97-6
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 29 2008 11:48AM