Using field data to evaluate the complex bridge piers scour methods

Abstract

Scour is a phenomenon that causes riverbed erosion. Many laboratory studies have been conducted to identify the complex geometry of the scour mechanism and to predict its depth, and various methods have been proposed. In this study, the performance of these methods in estimating scour depth was evaluated using field data. For this purpose, scour data on the Adinan Bridge, which was destroyed as a result of the scour phenomenon and consequently rebuilt, was collected. The bridge was built with complex piers. The flow and sediment characteristics for the bridge site were determined using field measurement. Then, the pier scour was calculated using the empirical formula and the calculated values were compared with the recorded data. The results showed the inefficiency of these methods in accurately estimating the scour depth. However, the role of the components of a composite pier has not been reflected properly in the determination of scour in these methods.