Context
A partner engineering consultancy subcontracted GeoVeris for the hydraulic component of a highway bridge replacement design, requiring scour and afflux analysis at the 100-year design flood.
Approach
A calibrated HEC-RAS 1D model was extended through the crossing reach, with detailed structure geometry and pier configuration modeled for both existing and proposed bridge designs, following standard scour-prediction methodology.
Outcome
The study confirmed the proposed pier configuration met afflux limits and provided the scour depth inputs the structural team needed to finalize foundation design.
Methodology
HEC-RAS 1D steady-flow model extension through the crossing reach; detailed pier and abutment geometry modeling for existing and proposed designs; scour depth estimation (contraction, pier, and abutment scour) following standard highway-agency methodology; afflux compliance check against the 100-year design flood.
Results & Outcomes
- Confirmed proposed pier configuration met regulatory afflux limits
- Delivered scour depth inputs used directly in foundation design
- Turned around the full structure-specific study in 3 weeks
Challenges
Existing bridge as-built drawings were incomplete, requiring a supplementary site survey to confirm pier dimensions before the model could be finalized.
“We now subcontract all of our hydrological modeling work to GeoVeris — their turnaround and documentation quality are consistently ahead of what we could deliver in-house.”
Carlos Mendez, Chief Technical Advisor
An Engineering Consultancy Partner