One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Estimates of Abutment Scour Prediction Variables

Abstract

An experimental study of the estimation of hydraulic parameters needed in bridge abutment scour formulas is presented. Two different compound channel geometries are studied with rough floodplains in shallow overbank flow. Vertical-wall and spill-through abutment shapes are included in the study, with the abutment face located on the floodplain for various embankment lengths. Water surface profiles and velocity distributions are measured and compared with predictions made by the one-dimensional (1-D) model WSPRO and a two-dimensional k-ε turbulence model developed in previous research. The results show that a 1-D model can predict scour parameters reasonably well in the bridge approach section but not in the bridge contraction section.