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Evaluation of SRICOS Method on Cohesive Soils in South Dakota
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2008-11-15
[PDF-1.72 MB]
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Edition:Final Report January 2007 to November 2007
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Abstract:The SRICOS (Scour Rates In COhesive Soil) method had been proposed as an alternative design methodology for predicting scour at bridges founded in cohesive soils. As the new method can produce substantial savings in bridge construction costs at cohesive soil sites, it is important that SDDOT evaluates the method carefully for use in bridge design. This research project compared the predictions of the SRICOS method for pier scour with measured scour at three bridge sites in South Dakota and examined the technical issues involved in using the method. The research began with an assessment of the SRICOS method and a survey of current practice in evaluating bridges for scour used by other State DOTs. Three bridge sites in South Dakota were selected to evaluate the method for pier scour. Subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, hydraulic modeling, and hydrologic analysis were performed for each site to generate the inputs for computing scour using the SRICOS method. The computed scour depths were compared to the measured scour obtained by the USGS in 1991-1993 when a number of large floods occurred at the study sites. To provide a scale for the comparison, a sensitivity analysis was performed for each site to determine the sensitivity in the computed scour depth to the input parameters. The site-specific sensitivity analyses were complemented by a non site-specific sensitivity analysis to identify and rank the critical input parameters. A method to use the SRICOS method to predict bridge scour in watersheds where streamflow records are not available was proposed. This report recommends that SDDOT: (1) uses the SRICOS method as a supporting tool in evaluating bridges for scour, (2) continues to monitor current and future research to observe new improvements, (3) conducts workshops to train design engineers in using the method; (4) constructs a testing equipment to measure soil erodibility; (5) establishes a procedure for collecting scour data immediately after major floods to verify future improvements; and (6) conducts research to improve predictions of hydraulics of bridge waterways and the effect of large floods on time rate of scour.
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