Scouring, a naturally occurring erosive process, involves the progressive removal, displacement, and erosion of sediment and other foundational materials due to the dynamic force exerted by flowing water in riverine environments. This phenomenon is particularly critical around bridge foundations, embankments, and riverbeds, where sustained scour can jeopardize structural integrity, leading to potential bridge failures, loss of life, and substantial financial demands associated with repairs and structural reinforcements. Recognizing these risks, engineers have implemented various scour mitigation techniques, such as rock riprap, protective collars, and strategic foundation gaps. These methods, used singly or in conjunction, aim to shield bridge foundations from the severe erosive impacts associated with scour. A recent experimental study advanced the evaluation of foundation gaps as a promising countermeasure against scour in complex hydraulic conditions, particularly within a challenging 180-degree bend of a river. This research investigated four distinct bridge footing models—three of which integrated gap structures, with one serving as a non-gapped control—strategically positioned 60 degrees along the curvature of the bend, where hydrodynamic forces are notably intensified. The results highlighted that bridge foundations incorporating vertical gaps, extending continuously from the riverbed to the water surface, achieved the most substantial reductions in scour depth. This indicates that such gap configurations disrupt the concentrated flow patterns around bridge footings, thereby attenuating the erosive forces acting on surrounding sediment However, the study also revealed that the efficacy of these foundation gaps diminishes as the velocity ratio—defined as the average flow velocity relative to the critical threshold velocity necessary for sediment mobilization—increases. This reduction in performance under higher velocity ratios suggests that while foundation gaps offer significant scour protection in certain conditions, their effectiveness is contingent upon specific hydraulic parameters at the site.
aghamajidi,R. and vakili,A. (2025). Scour Dynamics Influenced by Foundation Gaps at Cylindrical Bridge Piers in Arch River Sections. (e237572). Civil and Project, (), e237572 doi: 10.22034/cpj.2025.565187.1419
MLA
aghamajidi,R. , and vakili,A. . "Scour Dynamics Influenced by Foundation Gaps at Cylindrical Bridge Piers in Arch River Sections" .e237572 , Civil and Project, , , 2025, e237572. doi: 10.22034/cpj.2025.565187.1419
HARVARD
aghamajidi R., vakili A. (2025). 'Scour Dynamics Influenced by Foundation Gaps at Cylindrical Bridge Piers in Arch River Sections', Civil and Project, (), e237572. doi: 10.22034/cpj.2025.565187.1419
CHICAGO
R. aghamajidi and A. vakili, "Scour Dynamics Influenced by Foundation Gaps at Cylindrical Bridge Piers in Arch River Sections," Civil and Project, (2025): e237572, doi: 10.22034/cpj.2025.565187.1419
VANCOUVER
aghamajidi R., vakili A. Scour Dynamics Influenced by Foundation Gaps at Cylindrical Bridge Piers in Arch River Sections. Civ. Proj. J., 2025; (): e237572. doi: 10.22034/cpj.2025.565187.1419