An Experimental and Analytical Investigation Into The Scouring Effect Around Bridge Piers of Various Shapes and Alignments

Scour is a natural phenomenon, which is caused by the erosive action of flowing water along alluvial beds. It is the leading cause of bridge failure globally, which results from the construction of any hydraulic structure, bridge, culvert, dyke in a natural open channel. In the island of Ireland alone there has been 18 cases of bridge damage/failure due to scour, with the most recent, best-known, case being the collapse of the Malahide Bridge Viaduct in 2009. It is for this reason that a good understanding of the complex three-dimensional process is needed. Also, the magnitude of potential scour may have a major effect on the cost of construction, along withcontinuous maintenance costs of a bridge. The purpose of this research dissertation is to examine, experimentally, the effect piers of alternative shapes and alignments the scouring process; both in terms of equilibrium scour depth and geometry of developed scour hole. And hence, make suggestions which may improve on the already vast literature available on this well-known phenomenon