A numerical model of general scour at channel constrictions

Scour is a major cause of bridge failure. Bridge scour may be due to the local effect of flow disturbance at piers or abutments, or may be cause by a constriction in the flow area, for example due to bridge abutments. Current methods for estimating scour at a constriction do not take into account many factors which are thought to be important. This study has examined the use of a numerical flow and sediment transport model to predict scour at constrictions.