Bridge Scour

MAB1053 Introduction to Bridge Engineering

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

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Bridge Scour
Bridge failures due to the flow of water can
result from 3 main causes:
 Inadequate capacity of the opening which
mainly affects smaller bridges.
 Increased hydraulic loading leading to
overturning or displacement, which mainly
affects low headroom bridges.
 Collapsed of the foundations of piers and
abutments as a result of erosion or scour of
the supporting material which can affect both
new and old bridges.
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Bridge Scour
 For most bridges, the most serious cause of
water induced failure is potential scour of the
material supporting the foundations of piers
and abutments, leading to structural
instability.
 Scouring is a function of : discharge, bed
slope, bed material, direction of flow,
alignment of piers, shape & size of piers.

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What is Scour?
Scour is the hole left behind when sediment (sand and
rocks) is washed away from the bottom of a river. Although
scour may occur at any time, scour action is especially
strong during floods. Swiftly flowing water has more energy
than calm water to lift and carry sediment down river.

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Types of Scour
 Local scour is removal of sediment from around
bridge piers or abutments. Water flowing past a pier
or abutment may scoop out holes in the sediment;
these holes are known as scour holes.
 Contraction scour is the removal of sediment from
the bottom and sides of the river. Contraction scour is
caused by an increase in speed of the water as it
moves through a bridge opening that is narrower than
the natural river channel.
 Degradational scour is the general removal of
sediment from the river bottom by the flow of the
river. This sediment removal and resultant lowering of
the river bottom is a natural process, but may remove
large amounts of sediment over time.
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Why Concern about Scour?
All bridges and
structures associated
with waterways are
potentially at risk of
failure from hydraulic
scour. It has been
estimated that 60% of
all river bridge failures
is attributable to
undermining of pier or
abutment foundations Computer simulation of scour
following scouring or around a bridge pier
erosion of the channel
bed.
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 Areas Affected by Scour
 At pier and abutment foundations.
Commonly, the water flows faster around
piers and abutments making them
susceptible to local scour.
 Across a bridge opening. Contraction scour
occurs when water accelerates as it flows
through a bridge opening that is narrower
than the channel and floodplain upstream
from the bridge.
 Throughout a large section of stream, both
upstream and downstream from a bridge.
This degradation in a stream is usually a
long-term process that results in lowering the
streambed.
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Scour

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Bridge Scour – Lacey’s Formula
 To determine scouring depth :
d = 0.473 (Q/f)0.33
Where,
d = normal depth of scouring below HFL
Q = discharge (m3/sec)
f = Lacey’s silt factor which is a function
of bed material = 1.76 x √(particle size)
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Depth of Scour

1. Straight reach 1.27d

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Bridge Scour Failure

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Bridge Scour

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Failure due to Scouring

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 Site Examination for Scour
 Historical engineering information and bridge plans are
reviewed.
 The examiner then visits the bridge site, walking upstream
and downstream from the bridge and taking notes on the
condition of the river channel.
 Other characteristics of the river are noted, such as locations
of river bends near the bridge and what possible effects
these may have on the bridge.
 Many things affecting scour are examined, such as the type
of rock or sediment carried by the river and the angle at
which the river flows toward and away from the bridge.
 The number of trees growing on the river banks also is noted
because tree roots can help keep soil from being washed
away.
 The area under and near a bridge is examined for scour
holes and other evidence of scour.

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Site Examination for Scour

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Scour Protection

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Scour Protection

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Scour Protection

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Increased Loading due to Flood
deck

Flood
Deck

Water
Level
Normal

Loading
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Increased Loading due to Flood

WL

Flood

Water
Level
Normal

Loading
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Loading
Failure due to Flood
flood

normal

deck

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Effect of Flood

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Effect of Flood

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Bridge Failure due to Flood

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Failure due to Flood

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Failure due to Flood

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