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Project # 47
Testing the Impact of Scouring Downstream of Water Infrastructure to Enhance Energy Production
| Team Lead: | Qazi Mowla |
| Other Team Members: | Mohammad Moradi | Malik Reyna |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Dr. Ahmari |
| Department: | CE |
| Project Type: | REU |
| Title: | Testing the Impact of Scouring Downstream of Water Infrastructure to Enhance Energy Production |
| Abstract: | Bridge failures caused by scour pose significant risks to transportation infrastructure, endangering lives and property. This risk is particularly enhanced when the bridge foundations are in soils that stick together (also known as cohesive soil), such as clay, where the erosion mechanisms are not yet fully understood. During flood events, unlike normal water flow, pressurized flow occurs underneath the bridge deck intensifies erosion due to increased shear stress, turbulence, and complex flow structures. This study looks at how vertical erosion happens in cohesive soils when there is pressurized water flow, such as during floods. The research sets up experiments to understand this process better by testing different water, soil, and design parameters to predict how deep the erosion can get. The study uses advanced techniques to measure the flow and erosion in a lab setup. The goal is to develop an equation that can predict scour depth based on the properties of cohesive soils, such as clay content and strength. The study is also exploring how factors like strong water jets, flow patterns, and vortex formation affect erosion. The results will help improve models for predicting scour, guide bridge design, and improve risk assessments, leading to stronger and more flood-resistant infrastructure. |
| Poster: | View Poster #47 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |