Hydraulic and Contraction Scour Analysis of a Meandering Channel: James River Bridges near Mitchell, South Dakota
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 12
Abstract
The two-dimensional (2D) depth-averaged river model Finite-Element Surface-Water Modeling System (FESWMS) was used to simulate the hydraulic conditions at a contracted bridge site. The site studied was the James River bridges near Mitchell, South Dakota. The parallel bridges are located in a crossing between the two bends of a meander. The floodplain alignment relative to the channel and skewed bridges produces complex 2D flow patterns that cannot be predicted accurately by using a one-dimensional (1D) river model. The 2D model was validated by using flow measurements collected by the USGS during three high-flow events with return periods ranging from 25 to 100 years. The validated model was used to examine the site characteristics that influence the concentrated flow on the right side of the main channel and the exchange of flow between the main channel and floodplains. The rating curves derived from the 2D model and the results of soil erosion tests were used to evaluate live-bed and clear-water contraction scour at the bridge site. The scour analysis was conducted by using the equations in Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 18 (HEC-18) and a method that accounts for the soil erodibility by using a curve of measured erosion rate versus shear stress. The study found that channel meandering, the no-flow boundary condition imposed by the walls of the river valley and skewed roadway embankment, and the dense trees along the left bank are the three main factors that create the unique hydraulic conditions at the bridge site. It is shown that using a 2D flow model could improve the estimation of contraction scour by providing more accurate information on the hydraulic parameters. The predicted scour depth was very sensitive to the critical shear stress and slope of the curve of erosion rate versus shear stress. Therefore, design should incorporate uncertainty in soil properties. It is also shown that an unsteady-flow approach to scour would produce a more realistic curve of predicted scour depth versus time. However, the cumulative effects of multiple flood events must be evaluated if time-dependent scour is used in design.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of SDDOT and the Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC) for sponsoring this study. Paul Boyd (USACE Omaha District), Allen Jones (South Dakota State University), David Mueller (USGS), Mary O’Neill (South Dakota State University), and Ryan Thompson (USGS) have assisted in various phases of the study. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. The authors also thank the associate editor and anonymous reviewers for their instructive comments and suggestions.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 12 • December 2013
Pages: 1286 - 1296
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 20, 2012
Accepted: Jun 11, 2013
Published online: Jun 13, 2013
Discussion open until: Nov 13, 2013
Published in print: Dec 1, 2013
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