The South Carolina Bridge-Scour Envelope Curves

Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5121
Prepared in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation
By: , and 

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, conducted a series of three field investigations to evaluate historical, riverine bridge scour in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of South Carolina. These investigations included data collected at 231 riverine bridges, which lead to the development of bridge-scour envelope curves for clear-water and live-bed components of scour. The application and limitations of the South Carolina bridge-scour envelope curves were documented in four reports, each report addressing selected components of bridge scour. The current investigation (2016) synthesizes the findings of these previous reports into a guidance manual providing an integrated procedure for applying the envelope curves. Additionally, the investigation provides limited verification for selected bridge-scour envelope curves by comparing them to field data collected outside of South Carolina from previously published sources. Although the bridge-scour envelope curves have limitations, they are useful supplementary tools for assessing the potential for scour at riverine bridges in South Carolina.

Suggested Citation

Benedict, S.T., Feaster, T.D., and Caldwell, A.W., 2016, The South Carolina bridge-scour envelope curves (ver. 1.2, April 2021): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5121, 96 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165121.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • The South Carolina Pier-Scour Envelope Curves
  • Comparison of the South Carolina Pier-Scour Envelope Curves With Other Data 
  • Relative Increase in Theoretical Pier Scour Associated With the 100- to 500-Year Flows
  • Application and Limitations of the PSDb-2014 and South Carolina Clear-Water and Live-Bed Pier-Scour Envelope Curves
  • The South Carolina Clear-Water Abutment-Scour Envelope Curves
  • Comparison of the South Carolina Clear-Water Abutment-Scour Envelope Curves With Other Data
  • Relative Increase in Theoretical Abutment Scour Associated With the 100- to 500-Year Flows
  • Application and Limitations of the South Carolina Clear-Water Abutment-Scour Envelope Curves
  • The South Carolina Clear-Water Contraction-Scour Envelope Curve
  • Comparison of the South Carolina Clear-Water Contraction-Scour Envelope Curve With Other Data
  • Relative Increase in Theoretical Clear-Water Contraction Scour Associated With the 100- to 500-Year Flows
  • Application and Limitations of the South Carolina Clear-Water Contraction-Scour Envelope Curve
  • The South Carolina Live-Bed Contraction-Scour Envelope Curves
  • Application and Limitations of the South Carolina Live-Bed Contraction-Scour Envelope Curves
  • Guidance for Using the South Carolina Bridge-Scour Envelope Curves and Databases
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The South Carolina bridge-scour envelope curves
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2016-5121
DOI 10.3133/sir20165121
Edition Version 1.0: September 30, 2016; Version 1.1: January 10, 2018; Version 1.2: April 15, 2021
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description Report: xii, 96 p; Appendixes: 1-2; Application Site; Database; Version History
Country United States
State South Carolina
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details