Advancements In Bridge Scour Evaluation With 2d Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Modeling

As hydraulic modeling technology advances, FWHA strives to continue to improve the accuracy and efficiency of bridge scour evaluations. The more accurate hydraulic results from two-dimensional (2D) models coupled with new tools in SMS/SRH-2D that automatically extract the hydraulic parameters from multiple flow simulations, offer a significant improvement in the state of the practice. The FHWA Hydraulic Toolbox bridge scour calculators have also been improved to accommodate the results and generate summary tables and plots for total scour. Finally, the SRH-2D sediment transport module has proven valuable to help verify contraction scour estimates in challenging hydraulic conditions. This paper and presentation will highlight these advances in the state of the practice and emphasize best practices in bridge scour analyses.