Abstract
Statistics reveal that abutment scour is a major cause of bridge failure throughout the world. Therefore, it is vital to propose methods to protect bridges and mitigate scour. Although riprap stones are commonly used to prevent scour, where the desired riprap size is not available or not costly beneficial, concrete blocks are appropriate choices. This study investigates the utilization of the six-pillar concrete (SPC) elements as scour countermeasure around vertical wall bridge abutment under clear water conditions. The SPC elements were installed with different arrangements in terms of density (open, medium, and dense) and placement depth (under the bed, above the bed, and medium case). The elements were applied under four hydraulic conditions. It was found that installing the elements in high density and above the bed is more effective in reducing scour around the abutment. This arrangement reduced scour depth up to 86%. In addition, in this arrangement, they push the scour hole to the channel midway. This is intensified in higher Froude numbers. The results are compared with riprap as a popular method, and it was found that the performance of SPC elements is better in reducing scour; however, a combination would benefit both methods’ advantages.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Some or all data, model, codes or any other materials that support the results of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Code availability
Not applicable.
Abbreviations
- ds :
-
Maximum scour depth
- D 50 :
-
Median sediment size
- D R50 :
-
Riprap median diameter
- D :
-
Element depth placement
- Fr:
-
Froude number
- L :
-
Distance between maximum scour depth location relative to abutment toe
- Q :
-
Flow discharge
- SPC:
-
Six-pillar concrete
- T :
-
Element density
- u :
-
Average velocity
- u c :
-
Critical velocity
- y :
-
Flow depth
References
Afzalimehr H, Moradian M, Singh VP (2018) Flow field around semielliptical abutments. J Hydrol Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)he.1943-5584.0001577
Annandale GW (2006) Scour Technology. McGraw Hill Publications, USA
BahramiYarahmadi M, Shafai M (2016) Sediment management and flow patterns at river bend due to triangular vanes attached to the bank. J Hydro-Environ Res 10:64–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jher.2015.10.002
Bhuiyan F, Hey RD, Wormleaton PR (2007) Hydraulic evaluation of W-weir for river restoration. J Hydraul Eng 133(6):596–609. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2007)133:6(596)
Bozkus Z, Yildiz O (2004) Effects of inclination of bridge piers on scouring depth. J Hydraul Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2004)130:8(827)
Cardoso AH, Fael CM (2009) Protecting vertical-wall abutments with riprap mattresses. J Hydraul Eng 135(6):457–465. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000040
Cardoso AH, Simarro G, Fael C, Le Doucen O, Schleiss A (2010) Toe protection for spill-through and vertical abutments. J Haul Res 48(4):491–498. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2010.492106
Cheng NS, Chiew YM, Chen X (2016) Scaling analysis of pier-scouring processes. J Eng Mech, 142(8): 06016005–1–6. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)em.1943-7889.0001107
Coleman SE, Lauchlan CS, Melville BW (2003) Développement de l’affouillement en eau claire aux butées de pont. J Hydraul Res 41(5):521–531. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221680309499997
Cope ED (2014) Environmentally friendly and sustainable stream stability in the vicinity of bridges. Brigham Young University, USA
Corvallis OR (1996) Submerged breakwater tests A-jacks armor units. Oregon State University, USA
Craswell T, Akib S (2020) Reducing bridge pier scour using Gabion mattresses filled with recycled and alternative materials. Eng 1(2):188–210. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng1020013
Ettema R (1980) Scour at bridge piers. University Of Auckland, New Zeeland
Ezzeldin MM, Saafan TA, Rageh OS, Nejm LM (2007) Local scour around spur dikes. 11th International Water Technology Conference
Fathi A, Zomorodian SMA (2018) Effect of submerged vanes on scour around a bridge abutment. KSCE J Civ Eng 22(7):2281–2289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1453-5
Federal Highway Administration (2009) Bridge scour and stream instability countermeasures: experience, selection, and design guidance (3th ed., vol 1 and 2). Hydraul Eng Circ No. 23
Federal Highway Administration (2012) Evaluating scour at bridges (5th ed.). Hydraul Eng Circ
Hosseini SA, Osroush M, Kamanbedast AA, Khosrojerrdi A (2020) The effect of slot dimensions and its vertical and horizontal position on the scour around bridge abutments with vertical walls. Sadhana - Acad Proc Eng Sci 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-020-01343-z
Jayewardene I (2003) Physical modeling of a-jacks units in wave flume. Report MHL 1251
Jayewardene I (2009) Physical modeling of a-jacks units in wave flume, Stage 2. Report 1251
Julien PY (2018) River Mechanics (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316107072
Kardan N, Hassanzadeh Y, Hakimzadeh H. (2017) The effect of combined countermeasures on main local scouring parameters using physical models. Arabian J Geosci 10(23). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3304-6
Kothyari UC, Garde RCJ, Ranga Raju KG (1992) Temporal variation of scour around circular bridge piers. J Hydraul Eng 118(8):1091–1106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(1992)118:8(1091)
Lagasse PF, Richardson EV (2001) compendium of stream stability and bridge scour papers. ASCE J Hydraul Eng 127(7):531–533. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2001)127:7(531)
Lauchlan CS (1999) Pier scour countermeasures. University of Auckland, NZ
Lebaron JW (1999) Stability of A-jacks-armored rubble- mound break waters subjected to breaking and non-breaking waves with no overtopping. Oregon State University, USA
Lim S-Y (1997) Equilibrium clear-water scour around an abutment. J Hydraul Eng 123(3):237–243. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(1997)123:3(237)
Lim S-Y, Cheng N-S (1998) Prediction of live-bed scour at bridge abutments. J Hydraul Eng 124(6):635–638. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(1998)124:6(635)
Melville BW, Van Ballegooy S, Coleman SE, Barkdoll B (2007) Riprap size selection at wing-wall abutments. J Hydraul Eng 133(11):1265–1269. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2007)133:11(1265)
Melville B (1992) Local scour at bridge abutments. ASCE J Hydraul Eng 118(4):615–631. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1992)118:4(615)
Melville B, Coleman SE (2000) “Bridge scour.” Water Resources, Highland Ranch, Colorado, U.S.A.
Melville B, van Ballegooy S, Coleman S, Barkdoll B (2006a) Scour countermeasures for wing-wall abutments. J Hydraul Eng 132(6):563–574. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2006)132:6(563)
Melville BW, Ballegooy S, Coleman S, Barkdoll BD (2006b) Countermeasure toe protection at spill-through abutments. J Hydraul Engrg 132(3):235–245. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)07339429(2006)132:3(235)
Neill CR (1968) Note on initial movement of coarse uniform bed material. J Hydraul 17(2):247–249
Oliveto G, Hager WH (2002) Temporal evolution of clear-water pier and abutment scour. J Hydraul Eng 128(9):811–820. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(2002)128:9(811)
Pagan-Ortiz JE (1991) Stability of rock riprap for protection at the toe abutments located at the floodplain, Federal Highway Administration Research Report FHWA-RD-91-057. US Department of Transportation, Washington, DC, USA
Pagliara S, Kurdistani SM (2013) Scour downstream of cross-vane structures. J Hydro-Environ Res 7(4):236–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jher.2013.02.002
Pagliara S, Kurdistani SM, Cammarata L (2014) Scour of clear water rock W-weirs in straight rivers. J Hydraul Eng 140(4):06014002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)hy.1943-7900.0000842
Pagliara S, Kurdistani SM, Santucci I (2013) Scour downstream of J-Hook vanes in straight horizontal channels. Acta Geophys 61(5):1211–1228. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-013-0143-z
Pandey M, Azamathulla HM, Chaudhuri S, Pu JH, Pourshahbaz H (2020) Reduction of time-dependent scour around piers using collars. Ocean Eng 213.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107692
Penna N, Coscarella F, Gaudio R (2020) Turbulent flow field around horizontal cylinders with scour hole. Editorial in Water 12(1):143. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010143
Radice A, Davari V (2014) Roughening elements as abutment scour countermeasures. J Hydraul Eng 140(8):06014014. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)hy.1943-7900.0000892
Radice A, Lauva O (2012) On flow-altering countermeasures for scour at vertical-wall abutment. Arch Hydroeng Environ Mech 59(3–4):137–153. https://doi.org/10.2478/heem-2013-0008-y
Richardson EV, Davis SR (2001) Evaluating scour at bridges. 4th Ed. Hydraulic Engineering Circular, No18.(Publ.No FHWA-NHI-01–001), 378. http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=412796
Ripkey B (1999) Determination of wave run-up, rundown, and reflection design coefficients for A-jacks concrete armor units. Oregon State University, USA
Rosgen DL (2001) The cross-vane, W-weir and J-hook vane structures. Their description, design and application for stream stabilization and river restoration. Proceedings of the Wetlands Engineering and River Restoration Conference, 775–96. https://doi.org/10.1061/40581(2001)72.
ShafaiBejestan M, Khademi K, Kozeymehnezhad H (2015) Submerged vane-attached to the abutment as scour countermeasure. Ain Shams Eng J 6(3):775–783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2015.02.006
Simarro G, Civeira S, Cardoso AH (2012) Influence of riprap apron shape on spill-through abutments. J Hydraul Res 50(1):138–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2011.650422
Tafarojnoruz A, Gaudio R, Dey S (2010) Flow-altering countermeasures against scour at bridge piers: a review. J Hydraul Res 48(4):441–452. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2010.491645
Thornton CI, Abt SR, Watson CC (2001) Field assessment of A-jacks installation, a case study of: Brush Creek, Kansas City, Missouri Powell Creek, Waukegan, Illinois. Proceedings of the 2001 Wetlands Engineering and River Restoration Conference, 671–678. https://doi.org/10.1061/40581(2001)58
Thornton CI, Watson CC, Abt, R, Lipscomb CM, UCM (1999a) Laboratory testing of A-jacks units for inland applications: pier scour protection testing. Colorado State University research report for Armortec Inc
Thornton CI, Watson CC, Abt SR, Lipscomb CM, Holmquist-Johnson CL, UCM ( 1999b) Laboratory testing of A-jacks units for inland applications: full scale testing. Colorado State University research report for Armortec Inc
Wise L (1999) Numerical and physical modeling of wave forces on A-jacks units. Oregon State University, USA
Zolghadr M, Shafai M (2020) Six legged concrete (SLC) elements as scour countermeasures at wing wall bridge abutments. Int J River Basin Manag. https://doi.org/10.1080/15715124.2020.1726357
Acknowledgements
The efforts of the research deputy of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz are acknowledged.
Funding
The costs for this research were provided from the grants of the second author (no. 874095(4/4/1392)).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors have contributed in preparing the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zolghadr, M., Bejestan, M.S., Fathi, A. et al. Protecting vertical-wall bridge abutment using six-pillar concrete elements. Arab J Geosci 15, 1226 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10509-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10509-4