"A comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment of scour and bridge foundations - both a handy reference text and a manual for the practicing bridge designer."--Publisher.

Scour data collected during 1989-1994 were evaluated to determine whether pier scour and contraction scour occurred at 22 bridge sites in Ohio. Pier-scour depths computed from selected pier-scour prediction equations were compared with measured pier-scour depths, and the accuracy of the prediction equations were evaluated. Observed pier-scour relations were compared to similar relations developed through laboratory research. Mean streambed elevations were evaluated to determine the depth of contraction scour. Channel stability was assessed by use of mean streambed elevations at the approach section. Ground-penetrating radar was used at all sites to investigate the presence of historical scour.

Of the nearly 11,500 bridges in Wisconsin, 89 have been assessed with critical scour conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Marathon County Highway Department, and the Jefferson County Highway Department, performed routine monitoring of streambed elevations for three bridges. Two monitoring approaches were employed: (1) manual monitoring using moderately simple equipment, and (2) automated monitoring, using moderately sophisticated electronic equipment. The results from all three sites demonstrate that both techniques can produce reasonable measurements of streambed elevation. The manual technique has a lower annual operating cost, and is useful for cases where documentation of long-term trends is desired. The automated technique has a higher annual operating cost and is useful for real-time monitoring of episodic events with short time durations.

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 761: Reference Guide for Applying Risk and Reliability-Based Approaches for Bridge Scour Prediction presents a reference guide designed to help identify and evaluate the uncertainties associated with bridge scour prediction including hydrologic, hydraulic, and model/equation uncertainty. For complex foundation systems and channel conditions, the report includes a step-by-step procedure designed to provide scour factors for site-specific conditions."--Publisher's description.