RESULTS OF A RECONNAISSANCE BRIDGE-SCOUR STUDY AT SELECTED SITES IN OREGON USING SURFACE-GEOPHYSICAL METHODS, 1989. FINAL REPORT

Three geophysical methods -- ground-penetrating radar, high-frequency continuous seismic reflector (tuned transducer), and a color fathometer -- were used to examine 14 bridge sites in Oregon, to determine the usefulness of each method in locating and determining depth of infilled scour holes around bridge piers in Oregon streams. Each geophysical method was capable of detecting infilling around piers, but because of equipment limitations, not every method was effective at each site. The softer infilled material present at nearly all sites was probed by a metal rod to verify data collected by the geophysical equipment. Scour equations were marginally successful in predicting two existing scour holes that were identified as having been caused by a peak flow. Most study sites had local conditions such as riprap, debris, or remnants of old coffer dams that invalidated the use of equations.

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Geological Survey

  F Street Between 18th and 19th Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20244

  Oregon Department of Transportation

  Materials and Research Section, 800 Airport Road, SE
  Salem, OR  United States  97310

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Crumrine, M D
• Publication Date: 1991-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Bridges; Depth; Equations; Forecasting; Geophysics; Ground penetrating radar; Location; Measurement; Reflection; Scour; Seismicity
• Old TRIS Terms: Color fathometer; Geophysical measurements; Seismic reflection
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00622313
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-OR-RD-92-08, WRI Rept 90-4199
• Contract Numbers: 5281
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1992 12:00AM