Local Equilibrium Sediment Scour Prediction at Bridge Piers with Complex Geometries
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 4
Abstract
Accurate estimation of local scour depths at piers is important since underestimation can result in structural failure and possible loss of lives and overestimation in needless structure cost, which can be significant for large structures. An improved mathematical model for estimating equilibrium structure-induced (local) sediment scour depths at bridge piers with complex geometries founded in noncohesive sediment is proposed. It is the result of an increased understanding of local scour processes, the contributions of individual pier components to the effective pier width, and the quantity and quality of recently published laboratory data. A large quantity of published laboratory data was compiled and screened for test duration, method of extrapolation to equilibrium, flume dimensions, and instrumentation used. This resulted in a data set of 454 complex pier local scour tests with which to test the model presented here and other commonly used models. The methods compared are those designed for use with a wide range of complex pier shapes founded in noncohesive sediments and subjected to either clearwater and/or live-bed flow conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
The data used in these analyses will be made available upon request.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge Tom Glasser for his assistance in the early stages of the model development. Dr. Huseyin Demir conducted a thorough review of the model and made helpful contributions.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 4 • April 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 6, 2021
Accepted: Jul 24, 2022
Published online: Jan 23, 2023
Published in print: Apr 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jun 23, 2023
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Cited by
- D. Max Sheppard, Yifan Yang, Bruce Melville, Method for Estimating Clear-Water Local Scour Rate at Complex Piers, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 10.1061/JHEND8.HYENG-13656, 149, 10, (2023).