Bridge Hydraulics Scour Countermeasures

The Federal Highway Administration's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Research Laboratory was used to investigate better ways to reduce the scour potential at existing bridge sites.

For example, as a countermeasure against scour, riprap has been the most common and best documented material used. However, for reasons such as availability, cost performance, and design guidance, an alternative to using riprap may be needed.

Scaled materials studied as alternatives to riprap scour protection.

The research program at the laboratory examined the use of grout mats, grout bags, extended footings, tetrapods, cable-tied blocks, tile mats, high-density particles, and anchors.