Bridge failure or loss of structural integrity can result from scour of riverbed sediment near bridge abutments orpiers during high-flow events in rivers. In the past 20 years, several methods of monitoring bridge scour have beendeveloped spanning a range of measurement approaches, complexities, costs, robustness, and measurementresolutions. This project brings together the expertise of Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT)bridge engineers and researchers, university hydraulic and electrical engineers, field staff, and inspectors to take thefirst steps toward development of robust scour monitoring for Minnesota river bridges. The team worked withMn/DOT engineers to identify variables of scour critical bridges that affect the application of scour monitoringtechnology. The research team will used this information to develop a Scour Monitoring Decision Framework(SMDF) that will aid Mn/DOT in selecting the best technologies for specific sites. The final component of theproject will involve testing the SMDF on five bridges in a case-study type demonstration; work plans for two of thesites were developed for demonstration of deployed instrumentation.
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