Slope-Stabilizing Works as Potential Scour Countermeasures for Bridge Foundations: Evidence from Physical and Numerical Modelling
Slope-Stabilizing Works as Potential Scour Countermeasures for Bridge Foundations: Evidence from Physical and Numerical Modelling
Bridge foundations are highly susceptible to scour, which is the leading cause of bridge failures worldwide. When retaining structures are placed near bridge foundations, they may also influence the hydraulic processes and help mitigate scour effects, even if primarily designed for slope stabilization. However, evidence supporting this potential beneficial interaction is limited. This study investigates a bridge foundation system through a physical modelling campaign conducted at ETH Zurich, using the Miniaturized Tsunami Generator. Reduced-scale (1:200) models were tested under flood-induced loading, focusing on retaining wall configurations located near the foundation. The experimental results reveal that the retaining structure delays scour initiation and reduces its extent. The experimentally observed scour patterns were incorporated within 3D finite element (FE) analyses, revealing a reduction in lateral bearing capacity and establishing a direct link between scour development and foundation response. The study highlights the relevance of cross-hazard interactions and the value of integrated modelling strategies for bridges exposed to scour.
Antonella Ambrosino; Liam Jones; I. Anastasopoulos; Stefania Sica
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 5: Combination of numerical and physical modelling
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-444