Computer-Aided Design of Armoring Type Bridge Scour Countermeasures

Local scouring at piers of river bridges affects the bridge safety adversely. Proper design and implementation of scour countermeasures can limit potential bridge failures. This study deals with the description of a computer program developed in VB.Net language to design armoring type bridge scour countermeasures. This program is applied to a bridge located in Rize, Turkey. To this end, flow, bed material, and bridge structural characteristics are defined to determine the maximum depths of scour at bridge elements. Using this information, various alternatives are tested from constructional, geotechnical, hydraulics, and economic feasibility viewpoints. Based on a selection index, partially grouted riprap is found to be a suitable countermeasure for the cited project.