The Design of Scour-Safe Bridges

Zeller, Michael E.; Richardson, E. V.; ,

The Design of Scour-Safe Bridges

by Michael E. Zeller, Li & Associates Inc, Tucson, United States,
E. V. Richardson, Li & Associates Inc, Tucson, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Two new highway systems, the East Papago and the Pima freeways, are currently under design and construction within the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. Both of these highways will cross the Salt River within approximately one mile of each other. To assure the design of scour-safe bridge crossings for these two multi-million dollar freeway facilities, detailed river-mechanics and floodplain analyses are being performed. These studies will establish the hydraulic and scour parameters for the piers and abutments associated with the planned bridge crossings of the Salt River, as well as the location, configuration, and dimensions of bank-stabilization and grade-control measures required along the affected river reaches. Interchange ramps located within the river and adjacent to the Pima Freeway crossing, as well as the presence of extensive sand and gravel mining operations, have complicated the hydraulic and scour considerations. This paper provides a brief summary of the analyses conducted to date, and demonstrates the application of scour methodology developed under the auspices of the FHWA to aid in the design of scour-safe bridges.

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