Flow Velocity and Pier Scour Prediction in a Compound Channel: Big Sioux River Bridge at Flandreau, South Dakota
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 5
Abstract
The two-dimensional (2D) depth-averaged river model Finite-Element Surface-Water Modeling System (FESWMS) was used to predict flow distribution at the bend of a compound channel. The site studied was the Highway 13 bridge over the Big Sioux River in Flandreau, South Dakota. The Flandreau site has complex channel and floodplain geometry that produces unique flow conditions at the bridge crossing. The 2D model was calibrated using flow measurements obtained during two floods in 1993. The calibrated model was used to examine the hydraulic and geomorphic factors that affect the main channel and floodplain flows and the flow interactions between the two portions. A one-dimensional (1D) flow model of the bridge site was also created in Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) for comparison. Soil samples were collected from the bridge site and tested in an erosion function apparatus (EFA) to determine the critical shear stress and erosion rate constant. The results of EFA testing and 2D flow modeling were used as inputs to the Scour Rate in Cohesive Soils (SRICOS) method to predict local scour at the northern and southernmost piers. The sensitivity of predicted scour depth to the hydraulic and soil parameters was examined. The predicted scour depth was very sensitive to the approach-flow velocity and critical shear stress. Overall, this study has provided a better understanding of 2D flow effects in compound channels and an overall assessment of the SRICOS method for prediction of bridge pier scour.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this study was provided by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) and United States Department of TransportationUSDOT to the Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC). The support of SDDOT and MPC is gratefully acknowledged. Ryan Thompson and Richard Liggett from the USGS conducted the topographic and bathymetric survey; their assistance is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank Derrick Dasenbrock at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) for assisting us with EFA testing.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 5 • May 2011
Pages: 595 - 605
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 1, 2010
Accepted: Sep 24, 2010
Published online: Oct 12, 2010
Published in print: May 1, 2011
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