Investigation of the relationship between experimental bridge piers and erosion within a flow

Saunders, Michael Joseph (2009) Investigation of the relationship between experimental bridge piers and erosion within a flow. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

[Abstract]: The following research is conducted to determine the extent that vortex erosion has on bridge
piers. A literature review has been conducted to identify the preceding research that has been conducted in similar areas and the application that it has to this dissertation project. Basic concepts and background information are provided in the fields of flow, vorticity, erosion,
scouring and bridge failure due to these factors.

A total of six [6] prototype have been constructed for use within hydraulic flumes. Three [3] scaled for laboratory testing and three [3] scaled for erosion testing. Due to time constraints the erosion testing was unable to be carried out.

A laboratory hydraulic flume was used to measure the velocity profile surrounding the three piers. The three piers being tested included a cylindrical pier used to collect control data, a standard aerofoil shaped pier, and a prototype aerofoil design with a 45 degree skirt
surrounding the base of the pier. The relative velocities within the flow were measured using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter from which data was collected and analysed by MATLAB software into a series of plots for interpretation.

From these it was concluded that the prototype pier has the potential to reduce reduce the formation of both horseshoe and wake vortices therefore reducing the potential scour and erosion.

More research is needed within this area before a satisfactory decision can be made on the optimal design of a bridge pier.

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Item Type:	USQ Project
Refereed:	No
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Appendix files have been loaded as a Zip File. Note that some of these files, eg. Matlab files, are unable to be opened in Windows
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2010 02:33
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2022 01:53
Uncontrolled Keywords:	bridge piers; vortex erosion; flow
Fields of Research (2008):	09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090506 Structural Engineering
Fields of Research (2020):	40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400510 Structural engineering
URI:	https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/7156

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