General Information |
|
Study Number: | TPF-5(551) |
Former Study Number: | TPF-5(461) |
Lead Organization: | Federal Highway Administration |
Solicitation Number: | 1628 |
Partners: | MDOT SHA, OH, TN |
Status: | Cleared by FHWA |
Est. Completion Date: | |
Contract/Other Number: | |
Last Updated: | Apr 18, 2025 |
Contract End Date: |
Financial Summary |
|
Contract Amount: | |
Suggested Contribution: | $15,000.00 |
Total Commitments Received: | $475,000.00 |
100% SP&R Approval: | Approved |
Contact Information |
|||
Lead Study Contact(s): | James Pagenkopf | ||
james.pagenkopf@dot.gov | |||
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): | James Pagenkopf | ||
james.pagenkopf@dot.gov |
Organization | Year | Commitments | Technical Contact Name | Funding Contact Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration | 2025 | $400,000.00 | Sharon Hawkins | Sharon Hawkins |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2025 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2026 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2027 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2028 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2029 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas |
Tennessee Department of Transportation | $0.00 |
Current methodologies for predicting scour depths around bridge foundations typically employ empirical equations derived from physical model studies using non-cohesive, uniformly graded sands, with the median grain size (d50) as the only geotechnical parameter considered. This approach represents a worst-case condition since non-cohesive sands are one of the most erodible soils found in nature. In practice, these equations are commonly applied to all soils that cannot be strictly classified as non-erodible. Since very little, easy-to-apply information is available to evaluate potential scour in erosion resistant soils, a great deal of engineering experience is necessary for one to feel confident about quantifying any reduction of the scour estimated from these equations. Consequently, because of the risks involved, predictions of scour in erosion resistant soils are frequently conservative, resulting in deep and costly bridge foundations.
The variability of soil mixes and layering system found in nature creates a full continuum of erodibility from the easily erodible, very fine silts to the non-erodible, competent rock. An effective soil erosion test can provide assistance on a project-by-project basis to determine the erodibility of subsurface soil types and layers. Such tests could more accurately define the scour potential for a given set of hydraulic design conditions and soil type. This approach aligns with the FHWA Next Scour Program (NextScour) recognizing that the phenomenon of scour consists of two major components, (a) consideration of water and hydraulic forces (loads) causing (b) erosion of soils and their associated geotechnical effects (resistance). NextScour institutes a new direction that refocuses and aligns those geotechnical and hydraulic components within a true multi-disciplinary framework that provide more certainty and reduced project costs.
NextScour will build off research conducted over the past 10 years which developed several erosion testing devices to better understand and address soil erosion resistance.
These include:
The objective of these pooled funds is to provide and/or support soil and erosion testing services for bridge projects over water crossings managed or coordinated by State DOTs, to provide technical assistance to design, fabricate, and install erosion testing devices to support and seek to broaden the use of erosion testing devices among State Department of Transportations, and to compile and analyze the collected soil and erosion testing data in a broader research effort to more accurately estimate reliable scour design depths given the soil conditions and hydraulic load during a given storm event.
Task 1. Soil Erosion Test in the TFHRC Hydraulics and/or
Geotechnical Lab for various bridge projects: The Hydraulics and
Geotechnical Lab staff will conduct soil and erosion tests utilizing the ESTD
and/or EFA on soil samples shipped to the Laboratories for bridge projects
managed or coordinated by State DOTs.
Task 2. Soil Erosion Test in the field for various bridge
projects: The Hydraulics Lab staff will conduct soil erosion tests in the
field using the ISTD or PSTD and collect samples for ESTD and/or EFA tests in
the TFHRC Hydraulics Laboratory for projects managed or coordinated by State
DOTs.
Task 3. Laboratory and In-situ Soil Testing: The
TFHRC Geotechnical Lab staff will conduct index testing (e.g. particle-size
distribution, unit weight, moisture content, Atterberg limits, etc.) and other,
more specialized laboratory soil tests (e.g. undrained shear strength,
consolidation, etc.) in the TFHRC Geotechnical Laboratory to determine key soil
parameters that may impact erosional resistance. Geotechnical Lab staff will
coordinate Cone Penetration Testing at the site with the State DOTs.
Task 4. Fabrication of an Erosion Testing Device: The
TFHRC Hydraulics Lab staff will design and fabricate an Erosion Testing Device
(e.g. ISTD or PSTD) to conduct soil erosion tests for projects managed or
coordinated by State DOTs.
Task 5. Scour Analysis Support: The TFHRC Hydraulics
Lab staff will provide technical support for scour analysis, including 2D and computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to determine hydraulic shear stresses. This
support will also encompass analyzing soil erosion tests conducted either in
the field or in a laboratory setting for projects managed or coordinated by
State DOTs.
Task 6. Laboratory and In-situ Soil Testing Support:
TFHRC Geotechnical lab staff will provide technical assistance for conducting
and analyzing ex- and in-situ soil testing for projects managed or coordinated
by State DOTs.
Task 7. Scour along Longitudinal Structures: This
task will use NextScour principles (hydraulic loading functions versus soil
erosion resistance), CFD, Flume Experiments and Case Studies to research scour
prediction for various flow conditions on longitudinal structure types and
configurations in a riverine environment.
Task 8. Development of Shear Stress Predictive Equation:
FHWA is conducting research to develop a lower-bound shear stress predictive
equation from soil indexing properties of high or low plasticity clay soils. A
State DOT must provide representative soil samples for testing by FHWA to
verify that the equation is applicable to the State’s soils. This task will
assist States in developing a localized predictive equation of critical shear
stress from typical indexing properties.
It is estimated that the proposed research will be $50,000. The minimum funding contribution from each partner is $15,000 per year. The Federal Highway Administration will serve as the coordinator for this pooled-fund project. State DOT's will be solicited for their interest and participation to receive soil and erosion testing services for bridge projects managed or coordinated by State DOTs.
Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology
General Information |
|
Study Number: | TPF-5(551) |
Lead Organization: | Federal Highway Administration |
Solicitation Number: | 1628 |
Partners: | MDOT SHA, OH, TN |
Status: | Cleared by FHWA |
Est. Completion Date: | |
Contract/Other Number: | |
Last Updated: | Apr 18, 2025 |
Contract End Date: |
Financial Summary |
|
Contract Amount: | |
Total Commitments Received: | $475,000.00 |
100% SP&R Approval: |
Contact Information |
|||
Lead Study Contact(s): | James Pagenkopf | ||
james.pagenkopf@dot.gov | |||
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): | James Pagenkopf | ||
james.pagenkopf@dot.gov |
Organization | Year | Commitments | Technical Contact Name | Funding Contact Name | Contact Number | Email Address |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration | 2025 | $400,000.00 | Sharon Hawkins | Sharon Hawkins | 410-545-2920 | shawkins2@mdot.maryland.gov |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2025 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas | 614-644-8135 | michelle.lucas@dot.ohio.gov |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2026 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas | 614-644-8135 | michelle.lucas@dot.ohio.gov |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2027 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas | 614-644-8135 | michelle.lucas@dot.ohio.gov |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2028 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas | 614-644-8135 | michelle.lucas@dot.ohio.gov |
Ohio Department of Transportation | 2029 | $15,000.00 | Jeffrey Syar | Michelle Lucas | 614-644-8135 | michelle.lucas@dot.ohio.gov |
Current methodologies for predicting scour depths around bridge foundations typically employ empirical equations derived from physical model studies using non-cohesive, uniformly graded sands, with the median grain size (d50) as the only geotechnical parameter considered. This approach represents a worst-case condition since non-cohesive sands are one of the most erodible soils found in nature. In practice, these equations are commonly applied to all soils that cannot be strictly classified as non-erodible. Since very little, easy-to-apply information is available to evaluate potential scour in erosion resistant soils, a great deal of engineering experience is necessary for one to feel confident about quantifying any reduction of the scour estimated from these equations. Consequently, because of the risks involved, predictions of scour in erosion resistant soils are frequently conservative, resulting in deep and costly bridge foundations.
The variability of soil mixes and layering system found in nature creates a full continuum of erodibility from the easily erodible, very fine silts to the non-erodible, competent rock. An effective soil erosion test can provide assistance on a project-by-project basis to determine the erodibility of subsurface soil types and layers. Such tests could more accurately define the scour potential for a given set of hydraulic design conditions and soil type. This approach aligns with the FHWA Next Scour Program (NextScour) recognizing that the phenomenon of scour consists of two major components, (a) consideration of water and hydraulic forces (loads) causing (b) erosion of soils and their associated geotechnical effects (resistance). NextScour institutes a new direction that refocuses and aligns those geotechnical and hydraulic components within a true multi-disciplinary framework that provide more certainty and reduced project costs.
NextScour will build off research conducted over the past 10 years which developed several erosion testing devices to better understand and address soil erosion resistance.
These include:
The objective of these pooled funds is to provide and/or support soil and erosion testing services for bridge projects over water crossings managed or coordinated by State DOTs, to provide technical assistance to design, fabricate, and install erosion testing devices to support and seek to broaden the use of erosion testing devices among State Department of Transportations, and to compile and analyze the collected soil and erosion testing data in a broader research effort to more accurately estimate reliable scour design depths given the soil conditions and hydraulic load during a given storm event.
Task 1. Soil Erosion Test in the TFHRC Hydraulics and/or
Geotechnical Lab for various bridge projects: The Hydraulics and
Geotechnical Lab staff will conduct soil and erosion tests utilizing the ESTD
and/or EFA on soil samples shipped to the Laboratories for bridge projects
managed or coordinated by State DOTs.
Task 2. Soil Erosion Test in the field for various bridge
projects: The Hydraulics Lab staff will conduct soil erosion tests in the
field using the ISTD or PSTD and collect samples for ESTD and/or EFA tests in
the TFHRC Hydraulics Laboratory for projects managed or coordinated by State
DOTs.
Task 3. Laboratory and In-situ Soil Testing: The
TFHRC Geotechnical Lab staff will conduct index testing (e.g. particle-size
distribution, unit weight, moisture content, Atterberg limits, etc.) and other,
more specialized laboratory soil tests (e.g. undrained shear strength,
consolidation, etc.) in the TFHRC Geotechnical Laboratory to determine key soil
parameters that may impact erosional resistance. Geotechnical Lab staff will
coordinate Cone Penetration Testing at the site with the State DOTs.
Task 4. Fabrication of an Erosion Testing Device: The
TFHRC Hydraulics Lab staff will design and fabricate an Erosion Testing Device
(e.g. ISTD or PSTD) to conduct soil erosion tests for projects managed or
coordinated by State DOTs.
Task 5. Scour Analysis Support: The TFHRC Hydraulics
Lab staff will provide technical support for scour analysis, including 2D and computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to determine hydraulic shear stresses. This
support will also encompass analyzing soil erosion tests conducted either in
the field or in a laboratory setting for projects managed or coordinated by
State DOTs.
Task 6. Laboratory and In-situ Soil Testing Support:
TFHRC Geotechnical lab staff will provide technical assistance for conducting
and analyzing ex- and in-situ soil testing for projects managed or coordinated
by State DOTs.
Task 7. Scour along Longitudinal Structures: This
task will use NextScour principles (hydraulic loading functions versus soil
erosion resistance), CFD, Flume Experiments and Case Studies to research scour
prediction for various flow conditions on longitudinal structure types and
configurations in a riverine environment.
Task 8. Development of Shear Stress Predictive Equation:
FHWA is conducting research to develop a lower-bound shear stress predictive
equation from soil indexing properties of high or low plasticity clay soils. A
State DOT must provide representative soil samples for testing by FHWA to
verify that the equation is applicable to the State’s soils. This task will
assist States in developing a localized predictive equation of critical shear
stress from typical indexing properties.
It is estimated that the proposed research will be $50,000. The minimum funding contribution from each partner is $15,000 per year. The Federal Highway Administration will serve as the coordinator for this pooled-fund project. State DOT's will be solicited for their interest and participation to receive soil and erosion testing services for bridge projects managed or coordinated by State DOTs.
Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology
Title | File/Link | Type | Private |
---|---|---|---|
Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2025 | TPF-5(551)-Quarterly-Report-Jan-Mar-2025.docx | Progress Report | Public |
Acceptance Memo of TPF-(5)551 | FHWA Led SPR Match Waiver Request Solicitation 1628.pdf | Memorandum | Public |
Approval of SPR Match Waiver | Approval of SPR Match Waiver #1628.pdf | Memorandum | Public |
Title | File/Link | Type | Private |
---|---|---|---|
SPR Match Waiver Memorandum | SPR Match Waiver #1628.pdf | Memorandum | Public |
SPR Match Waiver Memorandum | FHWA Led SPR Match Waiver Request Solicitation 1628.pdf | Memorandum | Public |