BRIDGE

ENGINEERING

SCOUR
PROTECTION
ARAQUEL ELAIZA, B
FAUSTINO HAROLD
MINDORO,JOEHANZ G
PEDRALVEZ AARON JAMES
WONG JABEZ
PRESENTED BY GROUP 3
INTRODUCTION
SCOUR IS THE REMOVAL OF SEDIMENT
AROUND BRIDGE FOUNDATIONS (PIERS AND
ABUTMENTS) CAUSED BY SWIFTLY MOVING
WATER. IT IS A LEADING CAUSE OF BRIDGE
FAILURE.

TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND SAFETY OF

BRIDGE STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY DURING
FLOOD EVENTS, ENGINEERS' INTEGRATE
SCOUR PROTECTION MEASURES ON BRIDGES
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT ON STRUCTURE
INTEGRITY
INTRODUCTION
BASI C SCOUR CONCEPT
SCOUR RESULTS FROM THE EROSIVE ACTION OF FLOWING WATER, EXCAVATING AND
CARRYING AWAY MATERIAL FROM THE BED AND BANKS OF STREAMS. DETERMINING THE
MAGNITUDE OF SCOUR IS COMPLICATED BY THE CYCLIC NATURE OF THE SCOUR PROCESS
PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE
To prevent structural failure caused by excessive erosion at bridge
supports.
To safeguard public safety and infrastructure longevity.
To provide countermeasures that resist the erosive forces of flowing
water.
To support maintenance and inspection efforts in ensuring structural
integrity
Why Scour Protection is Important in Bridges?

Prevent Structural Failure

Scour is the leading cause of bridge collapse in the United States. It removes the supporting soil
from around foundations (piers and abutments), potentially leading to sudden and catastrophic
failure.
Foundation Stability
A bridge’s foundation must remain embedded in stable ground. Scour undermines this by
eroding the bed material, especially during high-flow conditions such as floods.
Public Safety & Economic Impact
Bridge failures due to scour can result in loss of life, disrupted transportation networks, and
significant economic consequences related to emergency repairs and traffic detours.
Maintenance and Lifespan
Implementing effective scour protection measures extends the service life of the bridge and
reduces long-term maintenance costs.
BASIC SCOUR CONCEPTS
Long term Aggradation and Degradation -

This concept refers to the gradual elevation changes of a riverbed over time
due to natural geomorphic processes or human-induced factors. Aggradation
is the accumulation of sediment that raises the streambed level, while
degradation is the erosion or lowering of the bed, often caused by factors
such as upstream channelization, dam construction, or changes in sediment
supply. Understanding long-term bed level trends is essential in bridge design
to determine the baseline elevation from which other scour types are
evaluated and to ensure that foundations remain embedded below potential
future streambed levels.
BASIC SCOUR CONCEPTS
Stream Contraction Scour

Contraction scour happens when the flow cross-sectional area is reduced at a

bridge opening, typically due to the placement of abutments, piers, or
roadway embankments. This constriction increases the velocity and shear
stress of the flow, leading to erosion of the bed across the entire width of the
contracted section. It is a widespread form of scour that affects the overall
channel beneath the bridge and must be carefully estimated, especially
during high flow events, as it can significantly deepen the channel and
threaten the stability of all foundation elements within the contraction zone.
BASIC SCOUR CONCEPTS
Local Scour

Local scour is the removal of sediment from around

individual bridge elements such as piers and
abutments, caused by the formation of vortices due
to flow obstruction. These vortices (e.g., horseshoe
and wake vortices) accelerate the erosion of bed
material immediately adjacent to the structure.
Local scour is often the most severe and immediate
threat to bridge foundations because it can lead to
sudden and deep excavation of material around
isolated points, potentially exposing or undermining
footings and piles if not properly anticipated in
design.
BASIC SCOUR CONCEPTS
Lateral Stream Migration

Lateral migration refers to the horizontal shifting of a stream or river

channel over time due to natural meandering processes. As the stream
migrates laterally, it may erode previously stable banks and expose
bridge foundations that were not initially located within the active
channel. This type of scour is particularly significant for abutments and
approaches, requiring protective measures such as guide banks or
revetments. Failure to account for lateral migration can lead to
unexpected exposure of structural components to erosive forces.
DESIGNING
BRIDGES TO
RESIST SCOUR

@REALLYGREATSITE
 STEP 1:
Field observation
Examine pier, column, and abutment
alignment for hydraulic efficiency (e.g.,
hydraulic skew).
Identify existing scour holes, especially
near bends.
Characterize streambed materials and
estimate potential scour depth.
Conduct a Geomorphic Factor Analysis
to assess long-term changes in the
stream system.
 STEP 2
Historic Scour Investigation
Bridges with a documented
history of scour are likely to
continue experiencing
problems.
Pay particular attention to
structures currently
exhibiting signs of local
scour.
 STEP 3:
Problem Location Investigation

Recognize high-risk areas

such as
Stream bends
Confluences of
watercourses
Alluvial fan deposits
 STEP 4:
Problem Stream Characteristics
Active aggradation or degradation
Lateral migration or channel shift
Steep slopes and high velocities
In-stream gravel mining
Bank protection failures near
bridge structures
 STEP 5:
Design Feature Considerations
Lack of overtopping relief, which allows
floodwaters to exceed deck level, increasing
erosive forces
Inadequate waterway openings, which obstruct
drift passage and increase scour.
Light debris may trigger notable scour.
Moderate debris causes scour but limited lateral
stress.
Heavy debris can cause severe scour, strong
lateral forces, and even structural damage.
 STEP 6:
Traffic Considerations
Bridges with high average daily traffic
(ADT) are critical for commuters,
emergency services, and goods
transport.
Long detours or limited alternate routes
can severely disrupt daily life and the
economy.
Knowing the type of traffic helps
engineers design or prioritize upgrades
appropriately.
 STEP 6:
POTENTIAL FOR UNACCEPTABLE DAMAGE
Flood-induced collapses or
failures can endanger lives,
damage nearby properties, and
interrupt essential services.
Evaluating risks helps prevent
disasters and ensures timely
maintenance or replacement
before damage occurs.
It also helps maintain the
reliability of the broader regional
transportation network.
 STEP 6:
SCOUR AND SEISMIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
Scour and earthquakes are
leading causes of bridge
failure.
Combining these hazard lists
allows for more informed
design, retrofitting, and
prioritization of limited
resources.
HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY
Hydraulics deals with the mechanics
of water flow specifically, how water
interacts with the bridge structure
and the surrounding riverbed.
Hydraulic analysis evaluates flow
velocity, depth, turbulence, and
pressure distribution around bridge
components
HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY IN SCOUR
PROTECTION
Hydrology analysis allows engineers to
determine the design flood events (such as
50-year or 100-year floods) that will
influence water levels and velocities at a
bridge site. This understanding is essential
for assessing how much water the bridge
must accommodate and the potential for
high-flow conditions that could cause
scour.
RELATIONSHIP OF HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY IN
SCOUR PROTECTION

Hydrology and hydraulics work together to ensure effective scour

protection in bridge design. Hydrology estimates the amount and
frequency of water flow from rainfall and runoff, providing the
necessary input for design flood conditions. Hydraulics then analyzes
how this water interacts with bridge elements, such as piers and
abutments, to assess flow behavior, velocity, and potential scour.
Combined, they allow engineers to predict scour risks and design
protective measures that maintain the stability and safety of bridge
foundations during both normal and extreme flow events.
HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY
Drainage Basin

The drainage basin is the land area that

collects and directs water flow to a stream
or river. Its size, shape, slope, elevation, and
orientation affect how much and how
quickly water reaches a bridge site. These
factors are essential in estimating peak
flows for safe bridge design.
HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY
DISCHARGE

Discharge is the volume of water flowing

past a point and is essential for flood and
bridge design. It is estimated using various
methods based on rainfall and runoff data,
including the rational method, gage analysis,
and regional flood-frequency equations. Key
design flows include the mean annual (2.33-
year), design (50-year), and base flood (100-
year) discharges.
RELATIONSHIP OF HYDRAULICS AND HYDROLOGY
IN SCOUR PROTECTION

Hydrology is concerned with the study of water movement in the natural

environment. It provides key input data for bridge design by estimating
the magnitude, frequency, and duration of streamflows, particularly
during extreme weather events. Hydrologic analysis allows engineers to
determine the design flood events (such as 50-year or 100-year floods)
that will influence water levels and velocities at a bridge site. This
understanding is essential for assessing how much water the bridge must
accommodate and the potential for high-flow conditions that could
cause scour.
 CASE STUDY
The Glanrhyd Bridge failure in Carmarthenshire, Wales,
On October 19, 1987, and stands as a significant case in the history of bridge engineering due to its tragic
outcome and the lessons it provided regarding scour protection. The bridge, a stone masonry arch structure,
carried the Heart of Wales railway line over the River Towy. Following a period of intense rainfall and flooding,
the river experienced extremely high flows, which caused severe scour around the bridge’s foundations. As a
result, the undermined piers led to the sudden collapse of the bridge. Tragically, just minutes later, a passenger
train approached the site unaware of the collapse, plunging into the river and causing the deaths of four people.
The primary cause of the failure was scour, a process where fast-moving water erodes the soil and materials
around bridge foundations. At the time, there were no real-time monitoring systems, and the bridge lacked
specific scour protection features, such as riprap or deeper foundations. This event revealed the hidden dangers
of scour, especially for older masonry bridges, and prompted a nationwide reassessment of bridge safety in the
UK.
 ENGINEERING SOLUTION

In response, engineers and railway authorities undertook several critical measures. A comprehensive scour risk
assessment program was initiated across the country to identify vulnerable bridges. Scour protection measures,
including the placement of riprap, gabion baskets, concrete aprons, and in some cases, foundation retrofitting, were
implemented to protect bridge piers from future erosion. Additionally, scour monitoring systems were developed and
deployed to provide early warnings during flood events, and hydraulic modeling became standard practice to assess
river behavior around bridge sites.

Furthermore, the incident led to updates in British bridge design and inspection standards, emphasizing the need for
scour-resistant foundations and regular inspection of submerged structures. The Glanrhyd Bridge failure is now a
pivotal case study used in engineering education and infrastructure planning, highlighting the critical importance of
scour protection for ensuring bridge safety and public security.