The effect of bridge abutment shape variation toward flow velocity characteristic

Abstract

Lots of bridge failure phenomenon caused by scour on pier foundation or abutment. One of the most important factors of the bridge is the abutment. Abutment is a structure, built at the edge of the bridge. Abutment is designed to hold the weight of the bridge and over the bridge. The structure of abutment usually planted in to the river. One of methods to minimize the scour impact is considering the shape and design of abutment. This research aims to find out the effect of abutment model or shape variation (semi-circular end abutment, wing wall abutment and spill through abutment) toward the change of velocity using Flow-3D for numerical modeling, the physical test to validation the flow condition and analyze the characteristic sediment transport pattern using Hjulstörm curve. The result of research state that the spill through abutment is the most effective model to keep the stability of flow velocity around the abutment. Correlation between Froude Number (Fr) with Relative Longitudinal Distance Ratio is discussed in this paper. Then, Hjulstörm curve shows that with bed material diameter (d 50) of 0,54 mm, sediment transport in the entire abutment model located at erosion zone.