MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Evaluating Nonlinear Methods to Generate Flood Hydrographs for Bridge Scour Applications
Authors:	Avital Breverman and Jeffrey Niemann
University:	Colorado State University
Publication Date:	Dec 2022
Report #:	MPC-22-491
Project #:	MPC-619
TRID #:	01870540
Keywords:	bridges, flood hydrographs, hydrology, scour, streamflow

Abstract

Bridge scour evaluations are often performed using streamflow estimates from regional regression relationships. This approach relies on the accuracy of the relationships and does not consider the effects of flow variations. Alternatively, a complete hydrograph can be obtained from a watershed model and used in the scour analysis. However, hydrograph estimation is complicated by nonlinearities in basin response, particularly when large storm events are considered. The objective of this study was to determine whether nonlinearities in hydrologic response and the relationship between flow rates and scour can substantially impact bridge scour evaluations. Nonlinearity in the relationship between excess precipitation and direct runoff was included using variable Clark unit hydrograph parameters in a HEC-HMS model. Flow depths and velocities were then generated using a two-dimensional HEC-RAS model. Both models were developed for the Cheyenne Creek watershed west of Colorado Springs. Anticipated scour was quantified using approaches detailed in the Federal Highway Administration's Hydraulic Engineering Circular manuals. Regression-based peak flow estimates applied as steady state discharges produced larger scour depths than unsteady hydrographs obtained from the hydrologic models. The hydrographs simulated using the variable Clark unit hydrograph parameters produced substantially larger scour depths than those simulated using constant Clark unit hydrograph parameters.

How to Cite

Breverman, Avital, and Jeffrey Niemann. Evaluating Nonlinear Methods to Generate Flood Hydrographs for Bridge Scour Applications, MPC-22-491. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2022.