Insights from Depth-Averaged Numerical Simulation of Flow at Bridge Abutments in Compound Channels
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
This study presents findings from two-dimensional depth-averaged flow models used to investigate distributions of flow velocity, unit discharge, and boundary shear stress associated with flow around spill-through bridge abutments, a very common form of bridge abutment. Design engineers often use such flow models to determine the distribution of flow through bridge waterways and to estimate peak magnitudes of flow velocity, unit discharge, or boundary shear stress for use in design estimation of abutment scour depth. The findings show how abutment flow fields, dominated by flow contraction around the abutment, adjust in response to variations of abutment length, floodplain width, and main-channel dimensions. The adjustments alter the magnitudes of amplification factors for depth-averaged velocity, unit discharge, and bed shear stress in the abutment vicinity; amplification factor for velocity is the ratio of maximum velocity to mean approach velocity (on the upstream floodplain or in the main channel). They also alter the distance from the abutment toe to the locations of peak values. This study covers a much broader range of abutment lengths, floodplain widths, and channel dimensions than heretofore reported in the literature.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The writers thank the reviewers of this paper. The review comments clarified and strengthened the paper.
References
Ahmed, F., and Rajaratnam, N. (2000). “Observations on flow around bridge abutment.” J. Eng. Mech., 126(1), 51–59.
Bates, P., and Anderson, M. (1996). “A preliminary investigation into the impact of initial conditions on flood inundation predictions using a time/space distributed sensitivity analysis.” CATENA, 26(1–2), 115–134.
Biglari, B., and Sturm, T. W. (1998). “Numerical modeling of flow around bridge abutments in compound channel.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 124(2), 156–164.
Cesare, M. A. (1991). “First-order analysis of open-channel flow.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 117(2), 242–247.
Chang, F., and Davis, S. (1998). “Maryland procedure for estimating scour at bridge waterways. Part 1: Clear water scour.” Proc., Water Resources Engineering 98, ASCE, Reston, VA, 169–173.
Chang, F., and Davis, S. (1999). “Maryland SHA procedure for estimating scour at bridge waterways. Part 2: Live bed scour.” Stream stability and scour at highway bridges, E. Richardson and P. Lagasse, eds., ASCE, Reston VA, 401–411.
Chang, H. H. (1988). Fluvial processes in river engineering, Krieger Publishing, Malabar, FL.
Chow, V. (1959). Open channel hydraulics, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Chrisohoides, A., Sotiropoulos, F., and Sturm, T. W. (2003). “Coherent structures in flat-bed abutment flow: Computational fluid dynamics simulations and experiments.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 129(3), 177–186.
Duan, J. G. (2009). “Mean flow and turbulence around a laboratory spur dike.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 135(10), 803–811.
Ettema, R., Nakato, T., and Muste, M. (2010). “Scour at bridge abutments.”, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Washington, DC.
Finite-Element Surface Water Modeling System (FESWMS) [Computer software]. USGS, Washington, DC.
Froehlich, D. C. (1989). “Local scour at bridge abutments.” Proc., National Conf. on Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, Reston, VA, 13–18.
Froehlich, D. C. (2002). User’s manual for FESWMS Flo2DH: Two-dimensional depth-averaged flow and sediment transport model, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA.
Gogus, M., and Al-Khatib, I. (1995). “Flow-measurement flumes of rectangular compound cross section.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng., 121(2), 135–142.
Herbich, J. (1967). “Prevention of scour at bridge abutments.” Proc., 12th Congress of the International Association for Hydraulic Research, Vol. 2, Colorado State University Press, Fort Collins, CO, 74–87.
Hobbs, B. (2005). “Two-dimensional numerical simulation of flow in a steep-gradient stream: Implications for sediment transport and habitat conditions.” M.S. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Hu, C., Ji, Z., and Guo, Q. (2010). “Flow movement and sediment transport in compound channels.” J. Hydraul. Res., 48(1), 23–32.
Koken, M., and Constantinescu, G. (2008). “An investigation of the flow and scour mechanisms around isolated spur dikes in a shallow open channel: 1. Conditions corresponding to the initiation of the erosion and deposition process.” Water Resour. Res., 44(8), W08406.
Koken, M., Kirkil, G., and Constantinescu, S. G. (2007). “Coherent structures in the flow around a bridge abutment and a bridge pier at equilibrium scour conditions.” Proc., 32nd Congress of the International Association for Hydraulic Research, International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, Madrid, Spain.
Laursen, E. (1951). Progress Rep. of Model Studies of Scour around Bridge Piers and Abutments, National Research Council, Washington, DC.
Laursen, E. (1960). “Scour at bridge crossings.” J. Hydraul. Div., 86(HY2), 39–54.
Laursen, E. (1963). “Analysis of relief bridge scour.” J. Hydraul. Div., 89(HY3), 93–118.
McCoy, A., Constantinescu, G., and Weber, L. J. (2008). “Numerical investigation of flow hydrodynamics in a channel with a series of groynes.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 134(2), 157–172.
McEwan, I., and Ikeda, S. (2009). Flow and sediment transport in compound channels: The experiences of Japanese and UK research, International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, Madrid, Spain.
Melville, B., van Ballegooy, S., Coleman, S., and Barkdoll, B. (2006a). “Countermeasure toe protection at spill-through abutments.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 132(3), 235–245.
Melville, B., van Ballegooy, S., Coleman, S., and Barkdoll, B. (2006b). “Scour countermeasures for wing-wall abutments.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 132(6), 563–574.
Melville, B. W. (1995). “Bridge abutment scour in compound channels.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 121(12), 863–868.
Molinas, A., and Hafez, Y. I. (2000). “Finite element surface model for flow around vertical wall abutments.” J. Fluids Struct., 14(5), 711–733.
Molinas, A., Kheireldin, K., and Wu, B. (1998). “Shear stress around vertical wall abutments.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 124(8), 822–830.
Morales, R. (2010). “Insights from depth-averaged numerical simulation of flow at bridge abutments in compound channels.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Muste, M., Xiong, Z., Schöne, J., and Li, Z. (2004). “Validation and extension of image velocimetry capabilities for flow diagnostics in hydraulic modeling.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 130(3), 175–185.
Oliveto, G., and Hager, W. H. (2002). “Temporal evolution of clear-water pier and abutment scour.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 128(9), 811–820.
Patra, K. C., Kar, S. K., and Bhattacharya, A. K. (2004). “Flow and velocity distribution in meandering compound channels.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 130(5), 398–411.
Rameshwaran, P., and Naden, P. S. (2003). “Three-dimensional numerical simulation of compound channel flows.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 129(8), 645–652.
Rice, C. E., Kadavy, K. C., and Robinson, K. M. (1998). “Roughness of loose rock riprap on steep slopes.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 124(2), 179–185.
Schneible, D. (1954). “Some field examples of scour at bridge piers and abutments.” Better Roads, 28(8), 21–24.
Sturm, T. W. (2006). “Scour around bankline and setback abutments in compound channels.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 132(1), 21–32.
Sturm, T. W., Ettema, R., and Melville, B. W. (2011). “Evaluation of bridge-scour research: Abutment and contraction scour processes and prediction.”, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Tingsanchali, T., and Maheswaran, S. (1990). “2-D depth-averaged flow computation near groyne.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 116(1), 71–86.
Venkatadri, C., Mutyam Rao, G., Tahir Hussain, S., and Asthana, K. (1965). “Scour around bridge piers and abutments.” Irrig. Power (India), 22(1), 35–42.
White, F. (2010). Fluid mechanics, 7th Ed., McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math, New York.
Wormleaton, P. R., and Hadjipanos, P. (1985). “Flow distribution in compound channels.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 111(2), 357–361.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 470 - 481
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 9, 2011
Accepted: Oct 11, 2012
Published online: Oct 13, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.