A guide to protect bridge pier from scouring / Shahidan Mat Hassan

The primary objective of this study is to understand the failures of bridge piers due to scouring and produce a guideline for their protection with the most economical and suitable method. Scouring, when it is excessive can cause unequal settlement of foundation or leave part of the structure unsupported due to undermining and thus cause structural failure. Protecting or limiting the extent of local scour around bridge piers is a matter of great interest. Usually designer and engineer should make a choice between deep and shallow foundations. The choice is greatly influenced by the cost of the project, local geological conditions and flow characteristics of the river. By far, the most commonly used method of protection is to provide loose apron over the area susceptible to scour. As the scour develops, the coarse materials covers the sides of the scour hole, thereby paving it and preventing from further scour. Another method is by decreasing the velocity of flow around the bridge piers usually not more than 1.0 m/s. Several methods of scour protection at bridge piers have been studied and analysed. The selection for the most effective and useful method of scour protection to be used depends on its design and economic criteria.