Scour Hole Problems Experienced by the Corps of Engineers; Data Presentation and Summary

Source: https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/ This report is an expanded version of an earlier unpublished report that documented case studies of scour hole problems experienced by Corps of Engineers' District and Division offices. Most of the case studies contained herein were originally presented by Corps personnel at a workshop held in May 1991 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Additional case studies not discussed at the workshop have been added to this report. Scour hole problems at 21 specific sites are detailed in the report, with the vast majority of problems occurring in the vicinity of coastal structures at improved navigation entrances. Possible causes for scour hole development are given for each case, and characteristic hydrodynamic and morphological characteristics of the problem area are given. Swift tidal currents interacting with coastal structures appear to be the most predominant factor in the development of scour holes. In these cases, incident waves serve to mobilize sediment so that it can be swept away by the currents. However, there were reported instances of scour holes that appeared after storms, and in some cases were infilled by sediment over time. Scour during construction of coastal structures has resulted in cost overruns despite efforts to control the scour.