Comparison of Different Configurations of Air-bubble Screens around the Pier to Control Scour

Scouring is a natural phenomenon caused by erosive action of flowing water on the bed. The formation of a scour hole around bridge piers has been the subject of intensive research for many years. Researchers have been introduced a lot of techniques to prevent and reduce local scour at bridge piers. In present study, a new method to reduce scouring around piers has been assessed. A bubble-screen located around the pier are used to counteract the downward flow and avoid the initiation of scour. In addition the capability of bubble-screens in front half of the pier has been assessed and compared with a complete bubble-screen around the pier. Results indicate that the complete bubble-screen is more efficient than the bubble-screens in front half of the pier

Keywords:

Scour , Bridge , pier , bubble-screen