Water Resources of South Carolina Publication

Publication of S. T. Benedict from the South Carolina District                                                     Where To Order

The South Carolina Bridge-Scour Database - Selected data generated from this study has been compiled into a database called the South Carolina Bridge Scour Database (SCBSD), and can be viewed using Microsoft Access. The SCBSD includes photographs, figures, selected field data, variables used to compute theoretical scour, computed scour depths, limited basin characteristics, limited soil data, and selected hydraulic data estimated with the WSPRO model (Shearman, 1990). These raw data are compiled in various data tables within the database, and automated reports have been developed to allow extraction of selected data for a chosen bridge. The SCDOT assigns a unique 12-digit number for each bridge under its jurisdiction and these numbers are used in the database as the primary search variable for extracting selected data from the raw data tables for display in the automated reports. Appendix A contains a description of the SCBSD automated reports, raw data tables, and variable definitions.

      The SCBSD is a valuable tool for use in investigating clear-water abutment scour and contraction scour. For one who is assessing scour at bridges in South Carolina, the SCBSD provides a tool for making site comparisons. Sites under investigation, but not included in the current study, can be compared with sites in the SCBSD to gain insights about the range of anticipated scour depths. The SCBSD also provides a source of data to assess various theoretical methods for predicting clear-water abutment and contraction scour. Most equations for predicting scour are driven by hydraulic variables, such as flow depth and velocity. These variables can be extracted from the SCBSD and used in various theoretical equations to compute theoretical scour depths. The theoretical scour depths can then be compared with observed scour, as well as the field-data envelope curves, to assess the chosen equation's performance. (Hydraulic data in the SCBSD may need to be manipulated to obtain specific variables required for a given theoretical equation.)

     One should keep in mind that the hydraulic data in the SCBSD were generated from a model and, therefore, do not necessarily represent the flow conditions that created the observed scour. As a result, some error is likely to be introduced into the comparison of theoretical scour with observed scour because of inaccuracies in the hydralic data. However, the abundance of data points in the SCBSD will allow such comparisons to show the general trends of the theoretical equation and will provide some indication of the equation's performance.

     The SCBSD provides only limited information at each study site and, therefore, cannot be relied upon to provide a complete understanding of the sites. If more detailed information is required to understand conditions at a given site, then other data sources, such as topographic maps and bridge plans, should be consulted. Under certain circumstances, site visits may be required to gain a full appreciation of the observed scour and the conditions that created it.

TO INSTALL SCBSD:
The SCBSD was developed using Microsoft Access 2000. The electronic file for the database requires approximately 638 megabytes of computer storage. To install the database, the file "scour.mdb" should be copied to a directory of the user's choice. After copying this file to the computer, the properties of the file should be changed from "Read-only" by (1)right clicking on the file and selecting "Properties" on the popup menu, (2)unselecting the "Read-only" option in the Properties menu box, and then (3)clicking "OK" at the bottom of the menu box.

TO INVOKE SCBSD, the file "scour.mdb" should be opened in Access. Upon opening this file, a menu box titled, "Bridge-Scour Data Reports," will appear. This menu box lists the 10 automated reports described in Appendix A and allows the user to generate the automated reports for a selected bridge. Near the top of this menu box is a drop-down menu designated by a menu button with a downward pointing arrowhead. Clicking on this button will produce a list of sites included in this study. From this list, the user should select a bridge of interest. Once a specific bridge has been selected, the user can view the various automated reports, for the bridge of interest, by selecting the "View Selected Record" menu button that is to the right of the report of interest. Selecting the "View All Reports" menu button will generate, in numeric order, the corresponding report for all bridges.

TO OBTAIN SCBSD (638MB), Please e-mail, Pubs Information
or Where to Order


SEE ALSO: Clear-water abutment and contraction scour in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Provinces of South Carolina, 1996-99 U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigation Report 03-4064, 137p.
(This link is to the abstract wich has a link to the full PDF formatted report)