Geological Society of America

72 D39. Surface Processes and Geomorphic Evolution, from the Coastlines to the Glaciers (Posters)

Sunday, 22 October 2017
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Halls 4EF

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF BRIDGE PIERS ON STREAM MORPHOLOGY USING A STREAM TABLE

Paper number: 72-16
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Steven Shay Oldham Presenting Author
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Diane Burns
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
James D. Riley
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Abstract

Modification of stream morphology by the installation of manmade structures in a channel can have ramifications for the stability of the stream system. One of the most common forms of these manmade structures, and the main focus of this project, is bridge piers. These piers, which are placed into stream channels for stability of the overlying bridge, can result in scouring and failure of the stream banks, which in turn release more sediment downstream. To model these morphological changes, a stream table was used to form a stable stream in which equilibrium was reached for the baseline measurements of flow, sediment transport and scour. Plastic cylinders were placed within the stream channel to represent bridge piers and measurements made to document the changes that occurred. By conducting this experiment, I was able to begin to see and understand the correlation between human development and the dramatic affect it can have on stream channel morphology.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-306409

© Copyright 2017 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.