Innovative multiscale sensing and computational simulations for bridge scour risk management

This paper provides a snapshot of research activities at my group on the issue of bridge scour over the past 10-year period. These efforts aim to provide toolset of sensors that provide surveillance of field scour conditions and reduce the risk associated with scour failure. They also aim to understand the fundamental mechanism of bridge scour, which is accompanied with strong turbulent flow pattern around bridge piers. Computational simulations supplement the sensor development efforts. A multiscale simulation framework that couples macroscopic computational fluid dynamics and microscopic discrete element model is being explored and is promising to allow to probe into the fundamental mechanism of soil erosion under turbulent flow conditions.