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Adequate definition of the potential scour at piers is essential to the proper design, construction, and maintenance of bridges in Maine. Safe, cost-effective bridge designs are dependent upon accurate estimates of scour depths. Underestimation of the scour depth can place both structures and human life at risk. The consistent overestimation of scour depth results in wasted manpower and materials, and higher construction costs. None of the 14 selected pier scour equations accurately estimated the depth of scour for piers at all conditions measured. Most pier scour equations are based on research with models in laboratory flumes with cohesionless, uniform bed material and limited field verification. Recent evidence, based on observed scour depths at bridges, has shown that commonly used equations over predict pier scour depths for streams with coarse bed materials.
The USGS, in cooperation with the Maine Department of Transportation, is conducting a study to better define and predict bridge scour at piers during high flow events. Information collected during the study will be used to analyze the applicability of pier scour equations for Maine.