A Risk-Based strategy
for the Scour Analysis around bridge piers
Dalal Biswajit and Deb Subhrajyoti
Disaster Advances; Vol. 17(4); 53-67;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/174da053067; (2024)
Abstract
Local scour around bridge piers, especially during high floods, has been a critical
issue for both the safety and serviceability of bridge foundations for decades.
The objective of this study is to implement a risk-based strategy to account for
local scour near the bridge piers. The methodology comprises of four fundamental
steps wherein the first step involves evaluating hydrological hazards of an extreme
nature. To precisely estimate the behavior of the river, the second phase uses several
flow properties and depth of scour. In the third phase, the risk of scour connected
with the bridge is evaluated by comparing the scour depth (DT) with foundation depth
(DF) with a prioritizing factor (PF) which aids in determining the qualitative assessment
of the scour risk. Lastly, an assessment of the risk of scour rating is assigned
to find out the severity of the scour risk for the bridge piers.
The present research discusses the incorporation of uncertainty in hydrological
modeling through a predictive approach in the definition of the return period. To
simulate flow parameters and assess bridge scour, the HEC-RAS program is utilized
which incorporates a scour module. The study concludes with a qualitative evaluation
of the impact of scouring on bridge susceptibility and safety. A case study on the
Netaji Subhas Bridge across the Gomati (Gumti) river, Tripura served to validate
the risk-based technique and it has been suggested that it can be effectively integrated
into routine schedules for bridge examinations as a reliable risk management tool
to avoid disastrous incidents.
