Effect of the Froude number on assessment of the bridge afflux

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of laboratory model testing of arch and straight-deck bridge constrictions, in a symmetrical compound channel flume having different roughness conditions. Four different types of bridge models, namely a single-opening, semicircular arch bridge, a multiple-opening, semicircular arch bridge, a single opening, elliptic arch bridge, and a straight-deck bridge with and without piers, were used in the testing programme. The validity of the Biery and Delleur method developed for the single cross-sectional-shaped arch bridge constrictions was examined for a compound channel case. The effect of different definitions of the Froude number on the application of the Biery and Delleur method was also investigated. The results showed that the Biery and Delleur method agreed reasonably well with the University of Birmingham data presented in the current study, provided that the Froude number was defined in the same way as originally envisaged. Significant errors may result, however, from using this method with definitions of the Froude number that are more appropriate to compound channels.