Hydraulic performance of river bridges and other structures at high flows: scoping study

A review of the range of ways of estimating afflux used in the UK and other countries, and the supporting science.

Documents

Scoping study into the hydraulic performance of bridges and other structures - technical summary (24 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - technical summary, part 1 (740 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - technical summary, part 2 (960 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 1 (913 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 2 (363 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 3 (536 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 4 (517 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 5 (332 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 6 (446 KB) PDF

Afflux at bridges and culverts: review of current knowledge and practice - annex 7 (325 KB) PDF

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Details

Background

Bridges and other structures can have a considerable effect on flood levels during high flows and can cause flooding if blockages occur. Hydraulic modelling needs to take account of such structures but there’s a lack of consistent approach. Various methods are used, not all of which are relevant for any particular structure, channel geometry or flow conditions.

Objectives

This project aimed to:

  • review existing knowledge and methods to support practitioners when choosing appropriate ways of estimating afflux at structures
  • identify future research that would improve knowledge and tools available to practitioners
  • provide the science to support decision-making

Outcome

This scoping study reviews the range of methods of estimating afflux used in the UK and other countries, in part through a questionnaire survey of selected practitioners. It identifies where further research is needed.

This project ran from 2001 to 2004.

Updates to this page

Published 16 February 2021