Abstract
This paper outlines the application of the multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network (ANN), ordinary kriging (OK), and inverse distance weighting (IDW) models in the estimation of local scour depth around bridge piers. As part of this study, bridge piers were installed with bed sills at the bed of an experimental flume. Experimental tests were conducted under different flow conditions and varying distances between bridge pier and bed sill. The ANN, OK and IDW models were applied to the experimental data and it was shown that the artificial neural network model predicts local scour depth more accurately than the kriging and inverse distance weighting models. It was found that the ANN with two hidden layers was the optimum model to predict local scour depth. The results from the sixth test case showed that the ANN with one hidden layer and 17 hidden nodes was the best model to predict local scour depth. Whereas the results from the fifth test case found that the ANN with three hidden layers was the best model to predict local scour depth.
Highlights
The accurate estimation of maximum scour depth around and downstream of bridge piers is critical and very important for design engineers
The ANN, ordinary kriging (OK) and IDW models were applied to the experimental data and it was shown that the artificial neural network model predicts local scour depth more accurately than the kriging and inverse distance weighting models
This paper outlines the application of artificial neural network (ANN), namely the multi-layer perceptron, the ordinary kriging (OK) and the inverse distance weighting (IDW) models in the estimation of local scour depth around bridge piers where bed sills have been installed
Summary
The accurate estimation of maximum scour depth around and downstream of bridge piers is critical and very important for design engineers. The prediction of scour depth around bridge piers has been the subject of many experimental studies, and has resulted in a number of prediction techniques being presented. To determine a technique for predicting scour depth for different pier positions, comprehensive experimental tests have been conducted. A number of research studies had been conducted to determine techniques for the estimation of local scour around bridge piers and their abutments. Of these studies, the first extensive experi-
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