Bridge Rail Rating Curves and Submergence Characteristics
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper describes a three-parameter model used for determining the hydraulic performance of bridge rails during extreme flood events as well as two submergence models. Typically the geometry of the bridge rails is not considered when conducting floodplain analysis. The use of certain bridge rails with large height or minimal open space may adversely impact the surrounding floodplain. Therefore, a mathematical model used to characterize the hydraulic performance of bridge rails has been developed in order to understand how different bridge rail systems may impact a floodplain. Physical modeling experiments are conducted in order to determine rating curves for various rail geometries that describe the upstream specific energy as a function of the flow rate passing over the rail. In addition, the effects of the submergence of bridge rails by an increase in downstream water surface elevation are also evaluated, as well as the submergence effects of two bridge rails in series. Two different mathematical models are used to approximate and characterize the effects of rail submergence.
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Acknowledgments
Research support from the Texas Department of Transportation is greatly appreciated. Additional data collection was conducted by Mike Konieczki and Tyler McEwen at the UT Center for Research in Water Resources.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 2 • February 2009
Pages: 88 - 95
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 23, 2007
Accepted: Jul 22, 2008
Published online: Feb 1, 2009
Published in print: Feb 2009
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