Countermeasures to Protect Bridge Abutments from Scour





Problem Statement

Most of the techniques and guidelines that are available for protecting bridge abutments against

scour have been developed from small-scale, hydraulic modeling conducted in laboratories, and

a limited amount of empirical data along with anecdotal observations has been acquired from

field sites. Though quite useful advances have been made with scour-protection countermeasures,

there is a widely recognized need for a more extensive study, one that links modeling efforts in the

laboratory to priorities of countermeasure needs and to observed field performance of countermeasures.

In addition, there is a perceived need to explore innovative concepts for scour countermeasures.

None of the existing approaches has been totally successful, as bridge abutments and

their approach embankments are the most commonly damaged bridge components during

floods. It has been recognized, therefore, that along with new countermeasure concepts, better

design and construction guidelines need to be developed to protect bridge abutments and

approach embankments from scour damage and to reduce the depths to which expensive deep

foundations may have to be placed. In addition, there are substantial needs for guidelines and

selection criteria that address limitations imposed by environmental regulation, relative cost,

availability, serviceability, constructability, and design constraints. Such guidelines will assist practitioners

in preventing, reducing, or mitigating the damage incurred with abutment failure owing to scour.



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