Effect of various flow, sediment and geometrical parameters on partially or fully submerged deck scour

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of various parameters of flow, sediment and geometric features of the bridge on the depth and shape of the scour hole occurred underneath a bridge deck model without a pier was investigated by a series of experiments conducted in a flume under partially and fully submerged flow and clear water conditions. The experiments were performed with factors such as approach flow depth, discharge, sediment size, degree of submergence, girder location and depth. A total of 112 experiments were conducted for both partially and fully submerged flow conditions. The experimental data showed that the partially submerged flow increased the maximum depth of scour hole and affected the shape of the scour hole more when compared to the fully submerged flow. It was also noted that parameters that directly affected flow structure in the bridge opening such as girder height might significantly increase the maximum depth of scour hole. Effect of the distance between a single girder and the bridge edge was also tested by using three different girder location and it was found that as the distance increased, the depth of the scour hole decreased and the location of the maximum scour depth moved with the girder to where the contraction in the flow area occurred.