Reduction of scouring depth by using inclined piers

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study is to examine the effect of inclination of dual bridge piers on scour depth under clear-water conditions for various uniform flow depths. Duration of 4 h was used in the experiments for each run. Scour depths were measured at four different points around the piers. The depths of local scour around inclined piers were found to be substantially smaller than the scour depths around vertical piers. Dimensional and nondimensional curves were developed and presented to show the variation of scour depth with relevant parameters obtained in the dimensional analysis. Results of the study were compared to those obtained from a similar study performed with single inclined piers to see the effect of the second pier on scour depths. Useful equations for the design engineers were developed based on multiple regression analyses, to be used for predicting local scour depths around vertical and (or) inclined piers in uniform and (or) nonuniform sediments. Normalized scour depths measured around the vertical piers in the present study were compared with those computed by an equation suggested by Melville and Sutherland (1988), and also by an equation developed in the present study.