A Bridge Scour Data Management System has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to support preparation, compilation, and analysis of bridge scour measurement data. Users may interactively store, retrieve, select, update, and display bridge scour and associated data. Interactive processing makes use of full-screen menus and form fill-ins, and an instruction window. Optional help and limits windows provide additional information for each of about 150 items in the data set for each bridge-scour site. The data set items include all of the essential information from a detailed scour measurement. Each data set has four categories of information: site data; measured scour data; flood event data; and channel geometry data. Program options permit selection of prediction equations and computation of scour depth estimates for comparison with observed scour depths. The program is written in Fortran 77 and is portable to personal computers, workstations, and minicomputers. The data base will facilitate: (1) developing improved estimators of scour for specific regions or conditions; (2) describing scour processes; and (3) reducing risk from scour at bridges

Landers, Mark N

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 1992 Bridge Scour Data Management Mark N. Landers U.S. Geological Survey Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub  Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Landers, Mark N., "Bridge Scour Data Management" (1992). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 141. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/141 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. BRIDGE SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT Mark N. Landers1 Abstract A Bridge Scour Data Management System has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to support preparation, compilation, and analysis of bridge scour measurement data. Users may interactively store, retrieve, select, update, and display bridge scour and associated data. Interactive processing makes use of full-screen menus and form fill-ins, and an instruction window. Optional help and limits windows provide additional information for each of about 150 items in the data set for each bridge-scour site. The data set items include all of the essential information from a detailed scour measurement. Each data set has four categories of information: site data; measured scour data; flood event data; and channel geometry data. Program options permit selection of prediction equations and computation of scour depth estimates for comparison with observed scour depths. The program is written in Fortran 77 and is portable to personal computers, workstations, and minicomputers. The data base will facilitate: (1) developing improved estimators of scour for specific regions or conditions; (2) describing scour processes; and (3) reducing risk from scour at bridges. Introduction About 84 percent of the bridges in the United States are over waterways. A survey of U.S. bridge failures since 1950 reported by Shirole and Holt (1991) show that of 823 failures surveyed, 60 percent were associated with hydraulics (figure 1), which includes channel bed scour around bridge foundations and channel instability. The Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) Technical Advisory 5140.20 states: "Most waterways can be expected to experience scour over a bridge's service life (which is now 1 Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 415 National Center, , VA 1094 Published in Hydraulic Engineering: Saving a Threatened Resource—In Search of Solutions: Proceedings of the Hydraulic Engineering sessions at Water Forum ’92. Baltimore, Maryland, August 2–6, 1992. Published by American Society of Civil Engineers.SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1095 approaching 100 years) .... The added cost of making a bridge less vulnerable to scour [through research, countermeasures, etc.] is small when compared to the total cost of a failure which can easily be two or three times the original cost of the bridge itself." Improved scour design techniques requires better data and understanding of scour processes. Scour processes have been extensively researched using laboratory model studies. This research has provided valuable data and understanding. However, scour predictions based on model results vary considerably, probably due to dynamic dissimilarity and other factors not duplicated in most laboratory models. It has long been recognized that field measurements of bridge scour are needed to broaden our ability to understand and predict bridge scour. A considerable ammount of historic scour data exists in the files of hydrologic data collection agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Field measurements of local scour have been compiled by Froelich (1988) and by EARTHQUAKE FIRE NATURE DETERIORATION MISCELLANEOUS Zhuravljov (1978). These OVERLOADS historical data sets contain HYCDO~~~: ••••••••••••• valuable information, but most do not contain information on all of the factors known to affect scour. Scour data are now being collected (at various levels of effort) in more than o 20 40 Figure 1.-- Percent of bridge failures by failure mode 60 20 states by the USGS in cooperation with State highway agencies. A portable and interactive computer data base management system is needed to support preparation, compilation, and analysis of bridge scour measurement data. This data base management system is also needed to facilitate both regional comparisons and long term storage of bridge scour investigation results. This paper describes a Bridge Scour Data Management System (BSDMS) being developed to support these needs. At the writing of this article, the BSDMS has been beta tested and revisions are underway for the prototype system. The BSDMS supports bridge scour data set preparation by providing a complete, formatted list and description of the data elements which should be included. The program features interactive menu and form fill-in screens with on-line help information (Kittle, 1989). The utility of data sets will be enhanced by the use of a uniform, portable data base system, by the periodic compilation of data entered into the system, and by redistribution to those conducting scour investigations and research. A significant function of BSDMS is to serve as a long-term repository of scour data to 1096 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING which future measurement data will be added. The BSDMS has been developed by the USGS National Scour Study, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration. Characteristics and Capabilities The basic functions of the BSDMS are data archival and retrieval. The principal features are portability and ease of use. The program enables users to interactively store, retrieve, select, update, and display bridge scour and associated data. User interaction features full-screen menus and form fill-ins, including prompts, help information, and default values. The program is written in Fortran 77 and is portable to microcomputers, engineering workstations, minicomputers, and mainframes. The data are stored in an unformatted, direct-access file with pointer systems and chaining for rapid access to the data and for efficient management of disk space following data editing and deletion. Data-management functions enable a user to add, delete, or modify data sets. Elements within data sets can be selected and modified or copied from one data set to another. Search and selection of data sets are based on user-specified criteria of data element values or value ranges. Data sets in the data base which satisfy search criteria will be added to a buffer for further processing. Graphic capabilities include plotting the location of selected sites on an outline map of the United States. Hydrograph and cross-section data also may be plotted. Information from all or selected data sets can viewed interactively and can be exported for archiving or to be read by separate programs for statistical analysis. Table 1.-- Bridge Scour Data Base System data structure SITE SCOUR FLOOD DATA MEASUREMENT EVENT Location Data Site Description Elevation Data Stream Data Bridge Data Abutment Data Pier Data DATA DATA Pier Scour Abutment Scour Contraction Scour General Scour Peak Stage Peak Discharge Hydrograph Data Debris Data CHANNEL GEOMETRY DATA Reference Coordinates Channel Geometry A computational option will enable users to select equations for estimating scour depths and to compare estimated and observed scour depths. A limited number of equations are included for estimation of local pier scour, local abutment scour and contraction scour. The list of equations is tentative and may be supplemented as additional field data becomes SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1097 available and better equations are developed. These equations will include those listed in FHWA's HEC-18 (1991). The equations should only be applied to streams characteristic of the conditions for which the equations were developed. Some sites will not be represented by any of the equations. +-Site (ESi)-------------------------------------------------------------------+ Select a Site edit option. I I Location - edit geographic location parameters I Elevation - edit elevation type and difference I StreAm - edit various Rtr@Am parameter. I Bridge - edit bridge definition parameters I Abutment - edit abutment definition parameters I Pier - edit pier definition parameters I Contact - edit contact and publication references I Return - to the Edit screen I +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +-HELP-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Select this option to edit the general stream parameters I associated with the site, such as geomorphic factors, bed I material characteristics, etc. I I +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +-INSTRUCT---------------------------------------------------------------------+ I Type the first letter of an option or I I select an option using arrow keys I I then confirm selection with the Next command. I +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Help:Fl Next:F2 Quiet:F8 Figure 2.-- Example Menu Screen from BSDMS When comparing observed and computed scour depths it must be noted that these equations were developed principally for bridge design. Thus the equations have been developed with criteria based upon conservatism rather than accuracy. The goal of accuracy, rather than conservatism may be investigated in developing new equations. Designers could then apply risk analysis to determine a factor of safety based on equation accuracy, average daily traffic, or other variables. Structure and Elements of Data Set The structure of a data set in the BSDMS is shown in Table 1. There is insufficient space here to describe the approximately 150 variables in a data set for a given bridge site. All of the data for a bridge site will be stored in a single data set. Each data set has four categories: site data; scour measurement data; flood event data; and channel geometry data. Channel geometry data include coordinate reference information, 3-dimensional channel geometry data, and time of measurement data. For each site there may be several sets of channel geometry data, and/or several flood events. 1098 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING For each flood event there may be several sets of scour measurement data. The BSDMS is designed to store all of the essential information from a detailed scour measurement; however most data sets are more limited and do not contain all of the information which can be stored. Operation The BSDMS features full-screen menus and form fill-ins, providing prompts, help information, and data element limits and defaults. For any particular screen, prompts may be issued in one of three formats: (1) menu selection for processing options; (2) form fill-ins in which a form is written on the screen and responses are made at highlighted locations; or (3) a table format to input or update values in rows and columns. Extensive help functions are an integral feature of the program. A window near the bottom of the screen provides general instructions for processing the particular screen. Additional help can be obtained by selecting help or limits from the command line at the bottom of the screen. Thus, beginning users can obtain detailed descriptions of data elements, of the data base operation, and of the equations in the analysis option. Figure 2 shows a Site Data menu screen. The Help box is activated and the help information is automatically displayed for the selected (Stream) option. Figure 3 shows a form fill-in screen for measured local pier scour data. The help information displayed is for the selected (Depth) option. Additional assistance is provided the new user with a tutorial which guides the user through the system with small pop-up boxes of instructions. +-Scour (EScSc)----------------------------------------------------------------+ I <------ Local Scour Hole --------> <--Approach Flow-> I Pier Maximum Depth Side Top Velocity ~ Sediment I ID 1 3A Depth 2.1 10.0 14.0 6.5 Accuracy Slope 0.5 1.4 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.5 1.0 n.a. Width Transport 4.0 3.2 5.9 LIVE 26.0 7.5 ll....Q. LIVE 31.0 10.8 18.5 LIVE n.a. 4.4 7.3 LIVE +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +-HELP-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ I Units: ft I Enter the flow depth in approach section upstream from pier scour hole for the time of the measurement. This may be estimated as the flow depth at the scour hole, minus the measured local scour. +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +-INSTRUCT---------------------------------------------------------------------+ I Enter data in highlighted field(s) . I I Use carriage return or arrow keys to enter data and move between fields. I I Use 'Next' command to go to next screen when done entering data. I +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Help:Fl Next:F2 Prev:F4 Limits:F5 Quiet:F8 Oops Window Uppg Figure 3.-- Example form fill-in screen from BSDMS SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1099 Summary A Bridge Scour Data Base system (BSDMS) has been developed to support preparationl compilationl and analysis of bridge scour measurement data. The primary functions of the BSDMS are data archival and retrieval. Data base elements include the essential information for a detailed scour measurement. Data base elements are categorized as site datal scour measurement datal flood event data, or channel geometry data. Users will be able to store, modify, and retrieve bridge scour data. An analysis option will enable users to compute estimated scour depths for selected data sets from user-specified equations. User interaction will be full-screen menus and fill-ins with help options. Preparation and compilation of data sets will be supported by a uniform and complete list and description of bridge scour data set elements and by the availability of a uniform, portable data base system specifically for this data. The BSDMS is an important element in attaining the goal of reduced risk from scour processes at bridges. References Froehlich, D.C., 1988, Analysis of onsite measurements of scour at piers: American Society of Civil Engineers. Proceedings of the National Conference on Hydraulic Engineering, Colorado Springs, Colorado. p. 534-539. Kittle, John L., Jr., Paul R. Hummel, and John C. Imhoff, 1989, ANNIE-IDE, A System for Developing User Interfaces for Environmental Models (Programmers Guide), EPA/600/3-89/034, Environmental Research Laboratory, Athens, Georgia. Shirole, A.M., and Holt, R.c., 1991, Planning for a Comprehensive Bridge Safety Assurance Program: Transportation Research Record 1290. U.S. Federal Highway Administration. 1991. Evaluating scour at bridges. Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 18, FHW A-IP-90-017, 97 pp. __ 1991. Stream stability at highway structures. Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 20, FHWA-IP-90-014, 195 pp. Zhuravljov, M.M. 1978. New method of estimation of local scour due to bridge piers and its substantiation: Trans. 109. Ministry of Transport Construction, State All Union Scientific Research Institute on Roads, 20 p. 

Bridge Scour Data Management

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 
1992 
Bridge Scour Data Management 
Mark N. Landers 
U.S. Geological Survey 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub 
 Part of the Earth Sciences Commons 
Landers, Mark N., "Bridge Scour Data Management" (1992). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 141. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/141 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of 
Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized 
administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
BRIDGE SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 
Mark N. Landers1 
Abstract 
A Bridge Scour Data Management System has been developed by the U.S. 
Geological Survey to support preparation, compilation, and analysis of 
bridge scour measurement data. Users may interactively store, retrieve, 
select, update, and display bridge scour and associated data. Interactive 
processing makes use of full-screen menus and form fill-ins, and an 
instruction window. Optional help and limits windows provide additional 
information for each of about 150 items in the data set for each bridge-scour 
site. The data set items include all of the essential information from a 
detailed scour measurement. Each data set has four categories of 
information: site data; measured scour data; flood event data; and channel 
geometry data. Program options permit selection of prediction equations 
and computation of scour depth estimates for comparison with observed 
scour depths. The program is written in Fortran 77 and is portable to 
personal computers, workstations, and minicomputers. The data base will 
facilitate: (1) developing improved estimators of scour for specific regions 
or conditions; (2) describing scour processes; and (3) reducing risk from 
scour at bridges. 
Introduction 
About 84 percent of the bridges in the United States are over waterways. A 
survey of U.S. bridge failures since 1950 reported by Shirole and Holt (1991) 
show that of 823 failures surveyed, 60 percent were associated with 
hydraulics (figure 1), which includes channel bed scour around bridge 
foundations and channel instability. The Federal Highway Administration 
(FHW A) Technical Advisory 5140.20 states: "Most waterways can be 
expected to experience scour over a bridge's service life (which is now 
1 Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 415 National Center, , VA 
1094 
Published in Hydraulic Engineering: Saving a Threatened Resource—In Search of Solutions: 
Proceedings of the Hydraulic Engineering sessions at Water Forum ’92. 
Baltimore, Maryland, August 2–6, 1992. Published by American Society of Civil Engineers.
SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1095 
approaching 100 years) .... The added cost of making a bridge less vulnerable 
to scour [through research, countermeasures, etc.] is small when compared 
to the total cost of a failure which can easily be two or three times the 
original cost of the bridge itself." Improved scour design techniques 
requires better data and understanding of scour processes. Scour processes 
have been extensively researched using laboratory model studies. This 
research has provided valuable data and understanding. However, scour 
predictions based on model results vary considerably, probably due to 
dynamic dissimilarity and other factors not duplicated in most laboratory 
models. It has long been recognized that field measurements of bridge 
scour are needed to broaden our ability to understand and predict bridge 
scour. A considerable ammount of historic scour data exists in the files of 
hydrologic data collection 
agencies such as the U.S. 
Geological Survey (USGS). 
Field measurements of local 
scour have been compiled 
by Froelich (1988) and by 
EARTHQUAKE 
FIRE 
NATURE 
DETERIORATION 
MISCELLANEOUS 
Zhuravljov (1978). These OVERLOADS 
historical data sets contain HYCDO~~~: ••••••••••••• 
valuable information, but most 
do not contain information on 
all of the factors known to 
affect scour. Scour data are 
now being collected (at various 
levels of effort) in more than 
o 20 40 
Figure 1.-- Percent of bridge failures 
by failure mode 
60 
20 states by the USGS in cooperation with State highway agencies. A 
portable and interactive computer data base management system is needed 
to support preparation, compilation, and analysis of bridge scour 
measurement data. This data base management system is also needed to 
facilitate both regional comparisons and long term storage of bridge scour 
investigation results. This paper describes a Bridge Scour Data Management 
System (BSDMS) being developed to support these needs. At the writing of 
this article, the BSDMS has been beta tested and revisions are underway for 
the prototype system. 
The BSDMS supports bridge scour data set preparation by providing a 
complete, formatted list and description of the data elements which should 
be included. The program features interactive menu and form fill-in 
screens with on-line help information (Kittle, 1989). The utility of data sets 
will be enhanced by the use of a uniform, portable data base system, by the 
periodic compilation of data entered into the system, and by redistribution 
to those conducting scour investigations and research. A significant 
function of BSDMS is to serve as a long-term repository of scour data to 
1096 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING 
which future measurement data will be added. The BSDMS has been 
developed by the USGS National Scour Study, in cooperation with the 
Federal Highway Administration. 
Characteristics and Capabilities 
The basic functions of the BSDMS are data archival and retrieval. The 
principal features are portability and ease of use. The program enables users 
to interactively store, retrieve, select, update, and display bridge scour and 
associated data. User interaction features full-screen menus and form fill-
ins, including prompts, help information, and default values. The program 
is written in Fortran 77 and is portable to microcomputers, engineering 
workstations, minicomputers, and mainframes. The data are stored in an 
unformatted, direct-access file with pointer systems and chaining for rapid 
access to the data and for efficient management of disk space following data 
editing and deletion. Data-management functions enable a user to add, 
delete, or modify data sets. Elements within data sets can be selected and 
modified or copied from one data set to another. Search and selection of 
data sets are based on user-specified criteria of data element values or value 
ranges. Data sets in the data base which satisfy search criteria will be added 
to a buffer for further processing. Graphic capabilities include plotting the 
location of selected sites on an outline map of the United States. 
Hydrograph and cross-section data also may be plotted. Information from 
all or selected data sets can viewed interactively and can be exported for 
archiving or to be read by separate programs for statistical analysis. 
Table 1.-- Bridge Scour Data Base System data structure 
SITE SCOUR FLOOD 
DATA MEASUREMENT EVENT 
Location Data 
Site Description 
Elevation Data 
Stream Data 
Bridge Data 
Abutment Data 
Pier Data 
DATA DATA 
Pier Scour 
Abutment Scour 
Contraction Scour 
General Scour 
Peak Stage 
Peak Discharge 
Hydrograph Data 
Debris Data 
CHANNEL 
GEOMETRY 
DATA 
Reference 
Coordinates 
Channel 
Geometry 
A computational option will enable users to select equations for estimating 
scour depths and to compare estimated and observed scour depths. A 
limited number of equations are included for estimation of local pier scour, 
local abutment scour and contraction scour. The list of equations is 
tentative and may be supplemented as additional field data becomes 
SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1097 
available and better equations are developed. These equations will include 
those listed in FHWA's HEC-18 (1991). The equations should only be 
applied to streams characteristic of the conditions for which the equations 
were developed. Some sites will not be represented by any of the equations. 
+-Site (ESi)-------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
Select a Site edit option. I 
I 
Location - edit geographic location parameters I 
Elevation - edit elevation type and difference I 
StreAm - edit various Rtr@Am parameter. I 
Bridge - edit bridge definition parameters I 
Abutment - edit abutment definition parameters I 
Pier - edit pier definition parameters I 
Contact - edit contact and publication references I 
Return - to the Edit screen I 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+-HELP-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
Select this option to edit the general stream parameters I 
associated with the site, such as geomorphic factors, bed I 
material characteristics, etc. I 
I 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+-INSTRUCT---------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
I Type the first letter of an option or I 
I select an option using arrow keys I 
I then confirm selection with the Next command. I 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
Help:Fl Next:F2 Quiet:F8 
Figure 2.-- Example Menu Screen from BSDMS 
When comparing observed and computed scour depths it must be noted 
that these equations were developed principally for bridge design. Thus the 
equations have been developed with criteria based upon conservatism 
rather than accuracy. The goal of accuracy, rather than conservatism may be 
investigated in developing new equations. Designers could then apply risk 
analysis to determine a factor of safety based on equation accuracy, average 
daily traffic, or other variables. 
Structure and Elements of Data Set 
The structure of a data set in the BSDMS is shown in Table 1. There is 
insufficient space here to describe the approximately 150 variables in a data 
set for a given bridge site. All of the data for a bridge site will be stored in a 
single data set. Each data set has four categories: site data; scour 
measurement data; flood event data; and channel geometry data. Channel 
geometry data include coordinate reference information, 3-dimensional 
channel geometry data, and time of measurement data. For each site there 
may be several sets of channel geometry data, and/or several flood events. 
1098 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING 
For each flood event there may be several sets of scour measurement data. 
The BSDMS is designed to store all of the essential information from a 
detailed scour measurement; however most data sets are more limited and 
do not contain all of the information which can be stored. 
Operation 
The BSDMS features full-screen menus and form fill-ins, providing 
prompts, help information, and data element limits and defaults. For any 
particular screen, prompts may be issued in one of three formats: (1) menu 
selection for processing options; (2) form fill-ins in which a form is written 
on the screen and responses are made at highlighted locations; or (3) a table 
format to input or update values in rows and columns. Extensive help 
functions are an integral feature of the program. A window near the 
bottom of the screen provides general instructions for processing the 
particular screen. Additional help can be obtained by selecting help or 
limits from the command line at the bottom of the screen. Thus, 
beginning users can obtain detailed descriptions of data elements, of the 
data base operation, and of the equations in the analysis option. Figure 2 
shows a Site Data menu screen. The Help box is activated and the help 
information is automatically displayed for the selected (Stream) option. 
Figure 3 shows a form fill-in screen for measured local pier scour data. The 
help information displayed is for the selected (Depth) option. Additional 
assistance is provided the new user with a tutorial which guides the user 
through the system with small pop-up boxes of instructions. 
+-Scour (EScSc)----------------------------------------------------------------+ 
I 
<------ Local Scour Hole --------> <--Approach Flow-> I 
Pier Maximum Depth Side Top Velocity ~ Sediment I 
ID 
1 
3A 
Depth 
2.1 
10.0 
14.0 
6.5 
Accuracy Slope 
0.5 1.4 
1.0 2.0 
1.0 1.5 
1.0 n.a. 
Width Transport 
4.0 3.2 5.9 LIVE 
26.0 7.5 ll....Q. LIVE 
31.0 10.8 18.5 LIVE 
n.a. 4.4 7.3 LIVE 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+-HELP-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
I Units: ft I 
Enter the flow depth in approach section upstream from pier scour hole for 
the time of the measurement. This may be estimated as the flow depth at 
the scour hole, minus the measured local scour. 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+-INSTRUCT---------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
I Enter data in highlighted field(s) . I 
I Use carriage return or arrow keys to enter data and move between fields. I 
I Use 'Next' command to go to next screen when done entering data. I 
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 
Help:Fl Next:F2 Prev:F4 Limits:F5 Quiet:F8 Oops Window Uppg 
Figure 3.-- Example form fill-in screen from BSDMS 
SCOUR DATA MANAGEMENT 1099 
Summary 
A Bridge Scour Data Base system (BSDMS) has been developed to support 
preparationl compilationl and analysis of bridge scour measurement data. 
The primary functions of the BSDMS are data archival and retrieval. Data 
base elements include the essential information for a detailed scour 
measurement. Data base elements are categorized as site datal scour 
measurement datal flood event data, or channel geometry data. Users will 
be able to store, modify, and retrieve bridge scour data. An analysis option 
will enable users to compute estimated scour depths for selected data sets 
from user-specified equations. User interaction will be full-screen menus 
and fill-ins with help options. Preparation and compilation of data sets will 
be supported by a uniform and complete list and description of bridge scour 
data set elements and by the availability of a uniform, portable data base 
system specifically for this data. The BSDMS is an important element in 
attaining the goal of reduced risk from scour processes at bridges. 
References 
Froehlich, D.C., 1988, Analysis of onsite measurements of scour at piers: 
American Society of Civil Engineers. Proceedings of the National 
Conference on Hydraulic Engineering, Colorado Springs, Colorado. p. 534-
539. 
Kittle, John L., Jr., Paul R. Hummel, and John C. Imhoff, 1989, ANNIE-IDE, 
A System for Developing User Interfaces for Environmental Models 
(Programmers Guide), EPA/600/3-89/034, Environmental Research 
Laboratory, Athens, Georgia. 
Shirole, A.M., and Holt, R.c., 1991, Planning for a Comprehensive Bridge 
Safety Assurance Program: Transportation Research Record 1290. 
U.S. Federal Highway Administration. 1991. Evaluating scour at bridges. 
Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 18, FHW A-IP-90-017, 97 pp. 
__ 1991. Stream stability at highway structures. Hydraulic Engineering 
Circular No. 20, FHWA-IP-90-014, 195 pp. 
Zhuravljov, M.M. 1978. New method of estimation of local scour due to 
bridge piers and its substantiation: Trans. 109. Ministry of Transport 
Construction, State All Union Scientific Research Institute on Roads, 20 p. 


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