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The present status of research on erosion of sand beds around spur dikes is briefly reviewed. The experimental results of erosion of two different sizes of nearly uniform sand are presented. It is shown that a rather simple kinematic model for erosion of sand beds in a long contraction, first proposed by Straub, can be modified for application to erosion around spur dikes. The equilibrium depth of scour depends on the size of the sand and the flow depth upstream of the location of the spur dike. This is consistent with Laursen's observations around bridge piers.