Pier

About: Pier is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10834 publications have been published within this topic receiving 63434 citations.

Functional Trends of Scour at Bridge Piers

Abstract: The functional trends of the local scour depth at a bridge pier in subcritical flow are discussed and related to flow and sediment parameters leading to a framework within which the scour depth under given conditions can be estimated. The local scour depth is shown to depend primarily on the shear velocity or mean velocity ratio to the value at the beginning of sediment movement, u*/u*c or U/Uc, the grading of sediment and flow depth relative to pier width. The functions presented are based on laboratory data.

Study of time-dependent local scour around bridge piers

Abstract: Estimation of maximum possible scour depth around bridge piers is an important step in the design of bridge pier foundations. Under known hydrological characteristics such as peak discharge and time-to-peak value of design flood hydrograph, smaller scour depths can be obtained compared to the equilibrium scour depths corresponding to clear water conditions. To examine such a phenomenon, time variation of local scour depths around bridge piers has to be determined. To this end, sets of experiments are performed using single cylindrical and square bridge pier models in the laboratory under clear water conditions with uniform bed materials. Semiempirical time-dependent analysis of local scour depths around bridge piers has been conducted using the sediment continuity equation for the scour hole around bridge piers. For design purposes, nondimensional scour prediction curves were prepared in terms of various sediment and flow properties.

Reduction of local scour around bridge piers using slots and collars

Abstract: The present study examines the use of pier slots and collars for reducing local scour at bridge piers. The efficacy of slots, of different lengths and at different angles of attack, was studied through experiments. The reduction of scour due to the placement of circular collars, of different sizes and at different elevations, was also investigated. Analysis of the data from the experiments as well as data from earlier studies led to an equation for the maximum scour depth around circular bridge piers fitted with collars. The equation applies to local scour of uniform-sized sediment in clear-water flow.

Soil-pile-bridge seismic interaction : Kinematic and inertial effects. Part I: Soft soil

Abstract: SUMMARY A substructuring method has been implemented for the seismic analysis of bridge piers founded on vertical piles and pile groups in multi-layered soil. The method reproduces semi-analytically both the kinematic and inertial soil—structure interaction, in a simple realistic way. Vertical S-wave propagation and the pile-to-pile interplay are treated with suƒcient rigor, within the realm of equivalent-linear soil behaviour, while a variety of support conditions of the bridge deck on the pier can be studied with the method. Analyses are performed in both frequency and time domains, with the excitation specified at the surface of the outcropping (‘elastic’) rock. A parameter study explores the role of soil—structure interaction by elucidating, for typical bridge piers founded on soft soil, the key phenomena and parameters associated with the interplay between seismic excitation, soil profile, pile—foundation, and superstructure. Results illustrate the potential errors from ignoring: (i) the radiation damping generated from the oscillating piles, and (ii) the rotational component of motion at the head of the single pile or the pile-group cap. Results are obtained for accelerations of bridge deck and foundation points, as well as for bending moments along the piles.