USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER Home
                        Research


            
            In This Section
        Explore Research and Technology
                Research Resources Overview
                Public Roads Magazine
                Publications and Periodicals
                Multimedia
                Software/Apps Downloads
                Research Library
                
                In-Situ Scour Testing Device (ISTD), State Demonstrations of Field Soil Tests, Boston, KY
FHWA-HRT-23-089.pdf (832.63 KB)
      
  Publication Information
                  Publication Type:Fact Sheet
                  Publication Number:FHWA-HRT-23-089
              Abstract:The In-Situ Scour Testing Device (ISTD) is an advanced system designed by the hydraulics research team at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) to measure the erosion resistance of fine-grained, cohesive soils directly in the field. The system features an innovative erosion head that, when inserted into a standard drill casing, can direct a horizontal radial water flow across the surface of the soil, resulting in erosion. The erosion resistance is measured in terms of critical shear stress, which, when coupled with the decay of hydraulic shear forces (water loads) with scour depth, is the basis of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) NextScour research initiative for improving the accuracy of future bridge scour estimates.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) hosted the 11th ISTD field demonstration on State Route 62 at the bridge over Rolling Fork, KY, located 2 mi west of Boston, KY. The demonstration was held east of the river in the floodplain under the bridge. KYTC planned to replace the 13-span bridge, originally built in 1938, with a shorter, nine-span structure by lengthening the embankment on the eastern side.





Recommended citation: Federal Highway Administration, In-Situ Scour Testing Device (ISTD), State Demonstrations of Field Soil Tests, Boston, KY (Washington, DC: 2023) https://doi.org/10.21949/1521393
              Publishing Date:June 2023
              Posting Date:08/16/2023
                              Digital Object Identifier:https://doi.org/10.21949/1521393
              Author(s):Alzamora,
    
          Daniel
              Pagenkopf,
    
          James 
    
          (ORCID: 0000-0001-5392-8628)
              Publishing Office:Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
                  FHWA Program(s):Infrastructure
              Research
              AMRP Program(s):Accelerate the implementation and delivery of new innovations and technologies that result from highway research and development to benefit all aspects of highway transportation
                  Subject Area:Research
              Bridges and other structures U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us