| dc.description.abstract | Lowering of the level of river bed due to water
erosion is denoted by the term Scouring. Scouring can
transpire around abutments and piers of a bridge. Pier
scouring possesses a high threat to the stability of the
bridge structures. The formation of vortices in the vicinity
of bridges due to obstruction caused to the river flow is
the core rationale behind this pursuit. Estimation of scour
depth, which is the depth of the hole formed around a
bridge pier due to scouring at a bridge site is
indispensable in terms of the safety and economy of a
bridge. Although various researchers around the world
have developed numerical formulae and physical models
for the simulation of scour around bridge piers, in the
context of Sri Lanka, not many studies have focused on
this area yet. In this study, HEC-RAS two-dimensional
model is used for the determination of scour depth around
the bridge piers of the Hanwella bridge built across the
Kelani River of Sri Lanka. The change in bed elevation
around the bridge pier provides the depth of the scour
hole formed due to a considered flood event. As per the
results, the hydraulic model coupled with the sediment
transport model has produced a reliable estimation of the
river bed level change and scour depth around the bridge
piers. Further validation of the model results can be
accomplished based on a series of laboratory-scale
experiments. | en_US |
