A Review on Local Scour Protection Measures for Bridge Piers: State of the Art and Future Directions

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jsse.202508401

Author(s)

Bin Chen1, Zihao Ren1, Chengquan Wang1,*, Xiangjun Yan2, Jianwei Wang2, Ruirui Qian1

Affiliation(s)

1School of Engineering, Hangzhou City University, Zhejiang Hangzhou, China 2Hangzhou Municipal Facilities Management Center, Zhejiang Hangzhou, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

This review systematically examines the current state of local scour protection measures for bridge piers. It summarizes the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors of scour, compares the advantages and disadvantages of existing countermeasures, and identifies limitations in current research to provide theoretical support for the optimization of protective technologies. Based on a comprehensive literature review and analysis of experimental data, the study consolidates various protection strategies, research methodologies, and predictive formulas for scour depth. Key issues highlighted include the limited development of combined protection devices, insufficient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of flow fields around protected piers, and a scarcity of reliable prediction models under protective conditions. The findings offer a technical basis and reference for the design, construction, and maintenance of cross-river and cross-sea bridges, contributing to the mitigation of pier scour—a widespread challenge in hydraulic engineering. Future research should prioritize the evaluation of impact resistance, development of new connection technologies, functional recoverability in design, integration of physical and numerical simulations, and comprehensive disaster prevention strategies. These advances are expected to further stimulate innovation in prefabricated and assembled bridge engineering, introducing new concepts and methodologies to the field.

Keywords

Bridge Piers; Local Scour; Scour Protection; Scour Mechanism; Countermeasures

References

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