BRIDGE

HYDRAULICS
Ramesh Pinjani
Sr Prof Bridges/IRICEN Pune

Lecture plan
1. Important definitions / Terminology
2. Methods of estimation of design dischargesub structure code provisions(Para 4.3)
3. Working out Q50 for catchment area < 25
sqkm RDSO report RBF-16
4. Sample calculations on Q50 estimation
5. Working out Q50 for catchment area 25
sqkm 2500 sqkm Flood estimation
report ( A joint work of CWC,RDSO,IMD,MOT)

Lecture plan (Contd)

6.Sample calculations on Q50 estimation
SUH concept( catchment 25-2500 sqkm)
7. Design of water ways various provisions
in sub structure code (Para-4.5)
8. Depth of scour various provisions in sub
structure code (Para-4.6)
9. Sub structure code provisions on afflux,
clearance, free board (Para 4.7,4.8,4.9)

Important definitions (para 2 0f sub structure code)

1. Design discharge Q:The estimated discharge for the design of the bridge and its
appurtenances.

2. Afflux(h) : The rise in water level upstream of bridge as a result of obstruction to the natural
flow caused by the construction of the bridge & its approaches

3. Free board (F): The vertical distance between the water level corresponding to design
discharge (Q) including afflux(h) and the formation level of its approach bank / top level of guide
bank

4. Clearance ( C ) : The vertical distance between the water level corresponding to design discharge
Q including afflux and the point on the bridge super structure where the clearance is required to be
measured

5. Depth of Scour: The depth of eroded bed of river

measured from the water level for the discharge considered
6.

Highest flood level (HFL): Highest water level known to have occurred

7. Low Water level(LWL) : water level generally obtained during dry weather

8. Important bridge: Those having

a) Linear water way >= 300m OR
b) Total water way >= 1000 sqm OR
c) Classified as important by CE/CBE depending upon consideration such as depth of water way,
extent of river training works & maintenance problems

9. Major Bridge: Those having

a) Total water way >= 18 m OR

b) Clear opening of 12 m or more in any one span
10. Protection works: Works to protect the bridge and its approaches from damage of flood
water

11. Training works: The works designed to guide and confine the flow of river

Relevance of Design discharge

It is required for proper and economical design,
construction and maintenance of
Bridge water way
Foundations
Protection works
Fixing / deciding Other parameters
Afflux
Free board &
Vertical clearances

Estimation of Design discharge (Q) (Para 4.2 S.S.C)

Para 4.2.1 The estimation of design discharge for waterway
shall preferably be based, wherever possible, on
procedures evolved from actual hydro meteorological
observations of the same or similar catchments.
Para 4.2.2 The design discharge (Q) normally shall be computed flood with a probable recurrence
interval of 50 years. However at the discretion of PCE/CBE:

a) Bridges where damage is likely to have severe consequences, may be designed with flood
recurrence interval of more than 50 years

b) Bridges on less important lines or sidings may be designed for floods with a probable recurrence
interval of less than 50 years

Method of Estimation of Design discharge

(Para 4.3 of substructure code )
Conceptually the methods are based on
a) From actual data (Para - 4.3.1)
b) Statistical methods (Para - 4.3.2)
c) Unit hydrograph (Para 4.3.3)
d) Synthetic hydrograph (Para-4.3.4 )
e) Other methods (stage-discharge relationship) (Para 4.3.5)

Method of Estimation of Design discharge

(Para 4.3 of substructure code ) Contd
Para 4.3.1 where Stream flow records (yearly peak
discharges) are available for the desired recurrence
interval or more
design discharge shall be : The computed flood for the desired recurrence interval

Para 4.3.2 Where such Stream flow records exist for less than the desired recurrence interval
but sufficient for the statistical analysis-

design discharge may be : Computed statistically for the desired recurrence interval.

Method of Estimation of Design discharge

(Para 4.3 S.S.C )
Para 4.3.3 where records of floods are not of sufficient
length to permit reliable statistical analysis but where
a) Rainfall pattern & intensity records are available for
sufficient length of time
&
b) Where it is feasible to carry out at least limited
observations of rainfall & discharge to develop unit
hydrograph based on such observations
The design discharge for desired recurrence interval is
computed using above unit hydrograph developed and
applying appropriate design storm

Hydrograph
A hydrograph is graph showing the discharge versus time at a specific point in river /
channel.

it commonly includes base flow component ( which is relatively steady contribution from
ground water return flow) &

direct run off component ( additional stream flow contributed by surface run off)

Development of hydrograph( i.e. discharge v/s time graph on occurrence of rainfall in catchment

tr
A unit hydrograph is the

1 Cm RAINFALL EXCESS

hypothetical response

tp

of a water shed ( in
terms of run off volume
& timing) to a unit input

3
DISCHARGE IN m /s

TYPICAL
UNIT
HYDROGRAPH

of rainfall

Qp

It can be defined as
direct run off
hydrograph resulting
from one unit( say 1
cm)
of effective rainfall
It is a hydrograph of
direct surface
run off
occurring
uniformly
resulting from unit

Ts
TIME IN HOURS

over the water shed at

effective excess rainfall

agenerated
uniform rate
over a
uniformly over

Basic principles of UH
For a given watershed
Storms of equal duration will produce runoff
hydrographs with equivalent time bases regardless
the intensity of rain.
Inst. discharge will be proportional to volume of
surface runoff produced by storms of equal duration.
Time distribution of runoff from a given storm period
is independent of precipitation from antecedent or
subsequent storm periods

Method of Estimation of Design discharge

(Para 4.3 of substructure code )

Para 4.3.4 Where such observations, as mentioned in

Cl. 4.3.3 above, are not possible,
a synthetic unit hydrograph may be developed for
medium size catchment ( i.e. Area 25 sq. Km or more but
less than 2500 sq. Km) by utilising established
relationships as mentioned in Flood Estimation Report
for respective hydro-meteorological sub zone, listed
under Appendix V(i).
For small size catchment (less than 25 sq. Km), design discharge may be estimated using
the techniques described in RDSO report no. RBF-16, titled as Flood Estimation Methods
2
for Catchments less than 25 km area.

Method of Estimation of Design discharge

(Para 4.3 S.S.C) Contd

Para 4.3.5 Where feasible, gauging of the stream may

be done to establish the stage discharge relationships
and the discharge at known HFL determined.
Otherwise, the discharge may be estimated by slope area
method after obtaining flood slope by field observations.

Flood estimation for small

catchments : area < 25 sq km
RDSO report RBF-16

Modified rational formula

RBF-16 suggests to use modified rational formula which
incorporate s recurrence interval concept over the normal
rational formula

Q50 0.278CI 50 A

C= runoff coefficient
A : catchment area in sq KM
I50 : 50 year rainfall intensity
mm/hr = R50(tc)/tc

Runoff coefficient
Depends upon nature of soil, soil cover and location of
catchment :

C X ( R.F ) 0.2
R = 50 year 24 hrs point rainfall (cm) from figure given in
the report for the country
F : Areal reduction factor
X : 0.249 to 0.498 depends on soil type and location

50 year 24 hour point rainfall (Value of R) (Ref Fig-1)

Values of X
S. No. Description of the Catchment Value of X

1.

Sandy Soil/Sandy loam/Arid

areas

2.

Alluvium/silt loam/coastal areas 0.332

3.

Red soil/clayey loam/cultivated

plains/tall crops/wooded areas

0.415

4.

Black cotton clayey soil/lightly

covered/plain & barren
Hilly soil/plateau and barren

0.456

5.

0.249

0.498

Values of F (Areal reduction factor)

Catchment
area

Duration of Rainfall

(km2)

< 30 min

30 to 60 min 60 to 100 min

< 2.5

0.72

0.81

0.88

> 2.5 < 5.0

0.71

0.80

0.87

> 5.0 < 13.0

0.70

0.79

0.86

> 13.0 <

25.0

0.68

0.78

0.85

Method of working out Q50

Step-1: calculate time of concentration ( in hrs)
L3
tc
H

0.345

tc is time of concentration ( in hrs), It is the time taken by water to travel from most distant point
on the periphery of catchment to the point of interest

L is Length of longest stream ( in kms) from source to bridge site

H = Height of farthest

point above the point of interest along the river ( in meter) i.e.

height of farthest point from bed level

Step-2: working out areal reduction factor (F) for given

catchment area ( in sqkm) & value of tc
Step-3: working out Runoff coeff(C)
For given description of catchment and value of F & R

Step-4 : Calculation of 50 year rainfall intensity in mm/hr lasting for tc hr duration

= R50(tc) by referring to fig-4 of report
For tc hrs duration read from the report, ratio of 50 yr tc hrs rainfall / 50 year 24 hrs rainfall
R50(tc) = R50 (24 hr) rainfall x above ratio
I = R50(tc) / tc in hrs

50 year tc hour Rainfall (page 10-fig4)

Sample calculations
Example: Working out Q50 for small catchments
1) A = 2.54 sqkm (Catchment area)
2) L = 2.50 km (Length of longest stream course from source to bridge site)
3) H = 67.25 m (Height of farthest point from bed level)
4) Description of catchment = Red soil

R50 - 24 hrs = 16 cms

Value of F = X
Run off coeff = Y
Ratio of 50 year tc hrs rainfall/ 50 year 24 hrs rainfall= Ref fig-4 of report

Estimation of design discharge by SUH

Steps involved (broadly) are:
Derivation of Synthetic unit hydrograph & plotting SUH
Estimation of design storm duration & intensity
Estimation of design loss-rate & base flow
Estimation of Rainfall excess units
Working out flood hydrograph

1 Cm

RAINFALL EXCESS

TYPICAL
UNIT
HYDROGRAPH

W 75
R75

DISCHARGE IN m /s

Qp

W
W

50

R50

TB

TIME IN HOURS

X1 cm
RAINFALL EXCESS

1cm

X 2 cm
UH DUE TO X 2> 1cm RAINFALL EXCESS
UH DUE TO 1cm RAINFALL EXCESS

t r = 1h

DISCHARGE IN m /s

UH DUE TO X 1< 1cm RAINFALL EXCESS

X2.q
q
X1.Q

TB
TIME IN HOURS
( CONSTANT FOR A GIVEN t )r

Hydro meteorological zones

Use of flood estimation
reports :
The country has been
divided into 7 hydro
meteorological zones
and 26 subzones .
Flood estimation reports
have been published. (a
joint work of CWC, RDSO,
IMD, and MOST)

Flood estimation method for catchments

(25-2500 sqkm)
Detailed steps involved in working out flood discharg
e (Q50) based on SUH concept
1) Unit Hydrograph

2) 50 year -24 hrs Rain fall ( Plate-10 of the report)

3) Ratio for given storm duration (Fig-10 of the Report)

4) Areal reduction factor ( Table A-3 of the Report)

Sample Example

i) Volume of runoff from 1 cm excess rainfall on

catchment area A =
A x1000 x 1000 /100 m

A= 294 sqkm
L= 43 km
Lc= 22.72 kms

ii) Volume of direct run off from SUH = Q x

3
60*60 m

R50-24 hrs rain fall =17.5 cms

Q =A/0.36

Therefore

Sum total of UH ordinates is equal to A / 0.36

1) Ratio for 50 yr 7 hr rain fall duration = X

2) Reduction factor for areal rainfall = Y
3) Time distribution for rain fall = Z
4) Loss rate = 0.5 cm/hr
5) Base flow = 0.05 x A
6) Details of RL of river bed at diff locations

Catchment Parameters
5

AREA OF CATCHMENT -A
4
CG OF THE CATCHMENT
3
LENGTH OF LONGEST STREAM : L

L
Lc

LENGTH OF STREAM FROM NEAREST TO CG TO THE BRIDGE

SITE Lc

EQ. OR STASTICAL STREAM SLOPE- S

Design discharge for foundation (Qf)

( Para 4.4 S.S.C)

To provide for an adequate margin of safety against an abnormal

flood of magnitude higher than the design discharge (Q), the
foundation, protection works and training works except free board
shall be designed for higher flood discharge. The magnitude of this
discharge shall be computed by increasing design discharge (Q)
estimated according to clause 4.2, by the percentage indicated
below.
Catchment area
Increase
Up to 500 km2
:
30%
> 500 & upto 5000 km2 :
30% - 20%
> 5000 & upto 25000 km2 :
20% - 10%
> 25000 km2
:
Less than 10%

Various River Phases (Para 801)

Upper Reaches (Mountainous)
Sub-montane Reaches (Foot Hills)
Quasi-Alluvial Reaches (Trough)
Alluvial Reaches
Tidal Reaches
Types of rivers

Hilly, sub-mountain, alluvial, coastal

Meandering, straight, braided

Aggrading, degrading, stable

Flashy, virgin

UPPER REACHES (Para 802) (Mountainous Rivers)

Narrow, Deep Cross Section, Steep Slope
Bed Material Rock, Boulders, Gravel

River channel in hills

Rise Sudden and Flashy

Water with high concentration of sediment load

Sub-mountain river channel

Sub-montane Reaches (Para 803) (Foot Hills)

Bed slopes 1 in 50 to 1 in 500
Bed Material Boulders, Gravel and sand
Floods Sudden and Flashy : All these channels normally overflow during high floods and the river acquires very wide and
shallow cross section. The rivers in this reach are prone to progressively raise their beds by sediment deposition. Such rivers are
known as "Aggrading" type.

Quasi Alluvial reaches

Bed slopes 1 in 500 to 1 in 2500
Bed Material Small size gravel and Medium Side
ChannelGenerally well defined course

Alluvial Reaches (Para 805)

Bed slopes 1 in 2500 to 1 in 25000

River flows on flat Bed of Material Alluvium (sediment deposited by flowing water)
River Meanders in its Khadir ( a strip of low land with in which river meanders)
River Bed is normally stable

Meandering River Channel

Meandering river

Braided River Channel

Island Type

When flow in river channel is insufficient to transport the eroded material,& gets deposited , thereby blocking the channel. Another
channel then may be formed and in course of time river bed become a network of such channels with island in between. Such streams
are called braided stream

Island type braided channel

Straight Channel

Types of Rivers (Contd)

Aggrading: Rivers in this reach are prone to raise their beds

by sediment deposition, due to reduction in velocity.
Degrading: lowering of bed by erosion due to higher velocity
Stable: No perceptible rise of lowering of river bed occurring
over long periods
Virgin: They have no outfall in the sea nor do they join any
other stream. Such rivers after traversing some distance
loose all their water by percolation & evaporation

Aggrading river

Aggrading: Rivers in this reach are prone to raise their beds by sediment deposition, due
to reduction in velocity.

Degrading river
Sinking of pier

Degrading: lowering of bed by erosion due to higher velocity

Stable river

Stable: No perceptible rise of lowering of river bed occurring over long periods

Flashy Rivers in the hills

Design of Water ways (S.C.C Para 4.5)

Para 4.5.1 In the case of a river which flows between stable

high banks and which has the whole of the bank-to-bank

width functioning actively in a flood of magnitude Q
the waterway provided shall be practically equal to the
width of water spread between the stable banks for such
discharge.
If, however, a river spills over its banks and the depth of
spill is appreciable
the waterway shall be suitably increased beyond the
bank-to-bank width in order to carry the spill discharge
as well.

Para 4.5.2 In the case of a river having a comparatively

wide and shallow section, with the active channel in flood
confined only to a portion of the full width from bank to
bank,
constriction of the natural waterway would normally be
desirable from both hydraulic and cost considerations.
A thorough study of both these factors shall be made
before determining the waterway for such a bridge.
Para 4.5.3 For river with alluvial beds and sustained floods the waterway shall normally be
equal to width given by Laceys formula :
Pw = 1.811 C Q 4.83 (Q)

0.5

Pw = Wetted perimeter in metres which can be taken as the effective width of waterway in case of large streams
Q = design discharge in cum/sec
C = a coefficient normally equal to 2.67, but which may vary from 2.5 to 3.5 according to local conditions depending upon bed slope and bed

Para 4.5.4 If the river is of a flashy nature i.e. the rise and
fall of flood is sudden or the bed material is not alluvial and
does not submit readily to the scouring effect of the flood,
Laceys regime width formula as given in clause 4.5.3
will not apply
Para 4.5.5 In case of rivers in sub-montane stage, where the bed slopes are steep and the bed
material may range from heavy boulders to gravel, it is not possible to lay down rigid rules regarding
constriction of water way. Any constriction in such cases shall be governed largely by :

The configuration of active channels

The Cost involved in diversion & training of these channels
The cost of guide bunds which will need much heavier protection than the guide bunds of alluvial
rivers.
Each case shall be examined on merits from both hydraulic & economic consideration and best
possible solution choosen

Para 4.5.6 In case of a bridge having one or more piers, the

width of waterway obtained from procedure outlined in
clause 4.5.3 to 4.5.5 above shall be increased by twice the
sum of the weighted mean submerged width of all the
piers including footings for wells to arrive at the total width
of waterway to be provided between the ends of the
bridge; where such increase is not made, the same shall
be applied as a deduction from the total width of waterway
actually provided to arrive at the effective width.
Para 4.5.6.1 If the width of the pier is
b1, for a height h1, and b2 for height
h2 in the submerged portion of the
pier having a total height h1 + h2,
the weighted mean submerged
width is given by the expression.

bmean = h1 b1+h2 b2/(h1 + h2)

Para 4.5.7
For gauge conversion and doubling works, where
there is no history of past incidents of over
flow/washout/excessive scour etc during last 50 years
the water way of existing bridge may be retained after
taking measures for safety as considered necessary by Chief
Engineer In charge.
For locations where there is history of past incidents of overflow/washout/excessive scour,
the waterway has to be re-assessed based on the freshly
estimated design discharge using clause 4.3.1 to 4.3.4.
For locations, where existing bridges are less than 50 years
old and there is no past history of incidents of over
flow/washout/excessive scour etc,
the water way may be judiciously decided after calculation of
the design discharge and keeping in view the water way of
existing bridges on adjacent locations on the same river.

Para 4.5.8 For rebuilding of bridge,

waterway shall be determined keeping in view the design
discharge as worked out from clause 4.3
Para 4.5.9 For strengthening existing bridges by jacketing etc, a reduction in waterway area as per the
limits specified below may be allowed by the Chief Bridge Engineer provided that there has been no history
of past incidents of overflow/washout/excessive scour etc and that measures for safety as considered
necessary by the Field Engineer and approved by CBE are taken.

SN

SPAN OF BRIDGE

REDUCTION IN WATERWAY AREA

ALLOWED AS %AGE OF EXISTING
WATERWAY.

Upto and including 3.05 m

20%

3.05m to 9.12m including

Varying linearly from 20% to 10%

Greater than 9.12m

10%

Further reduction in the area shall be subject to CRS sanction and submission of detailed calculation of waterways etc.

Depth of Scour (Para 4.6 S.S.C)

Para 4.6.1 The probable max depth of scour for design

of foundations and training & protection works shall be
estimated considering local condition
Para 4.6.2 Wherever feasible & especially for flashy rivers
and with beds having boulders or gravels
sounding for purpose of determining the depth of scour
shall be taken in the vicinity of site proposed for the
bridge. Such sounding are best taken during or
immediately after flood
In calculating design depth of scour allowance shall be
made in the observed depth for increased scour due to
i)The Design discharge being greater than observed
discharge
ii) Increase velocity due to constriction
iii)Increase in scour in the proximity of pier/abutments

Para 4.6.3 In the case of natural channels flowing in alluvial

beds where the width of waterway provided is not less than

Laceys regime width,
the normal depth of Scour (D) below the foundation design
discharge (Qf) level may be estimated from Laceys formulas
as indicated below
D = 0.473 (Qf/f)1/3
where D is depth in metres Qf is in cumecs and
f is Laceys silt factor for representative sample of bed material
obtained from scour zone.
Para 4.6.4 Where due to constriction of waterway, the width is less than Laceys regime width for
Q or where it is narrow and deep as in the case of incised rivers and has sandy bed, the normal
depth of scour may be estimated by the following formula :
q 2 1/3
D = 1.338 ( f /f)
Where qf is the discharge intensity in cubic
metre per second per metre width and f is silt

Para 4.6.6 The depth calculated (vide clause 4.6.3 and

4.6.4 above) shall be increased as indicated below, to
obtain maximum depth of scour for design of
foundations, protection works and training works :
Nature of the river

Depth of scour

In a straight reach

1.25 D

At the moderate bend conditions e.g. Along

apron of guide bund

1.5 D

At a severe bend

1.75 D

At a right angle bend or at nose of piers

2.0 D

In severe swirls e.g. Against mole head of a

guide bund

2.5 to 2.75 D

Para 4.6.5 The silt factor f shall be determined for representative samples of bed material collected from scour zone using
the formula :

f = 1.76 m

Where m is weighted mean diameter of the bed material particles

The Values for f for different types of bed material, commonly met with are
given below:

Type of bed material

Weighted mean dia

of particle (mm)

Value of f

(i) Coarse silt

0.04

0.35

(ii) Fine sand

0.08
0.15

0.50
0.68

(iii) Medium sand

0.3
0.5

0.96
1.24

(iv) Coarse sand

0.7
1.0
2.0

1.47
1.76
2.49

D1/D2 (f2/f1)

(1/3)

(m2/m1)

D1/D2 = (2/0.04)

1/6

(1/2) x (1/3)

(m2/m1)

1/6

= 1.92

Para 4.6.7 In case of clayey beds, wherever possible, maximum depth of scour shall be assessed from actual observations

AFFLUX (Para 4.7 of sub structure code )

Afflux (h): The rise in water level upstream of bridge as a result of obstruction to the natural flow
caused by the construction of the bridge & its approaches
For streams with non-erodible beds, the afflux may be worked out by Molesworth formula given
below :

h = {V2/17.88 + 0.01524} x {(A/a) 2- 1}

Where, h = afflux in metres

V = Velocity in un-obstructed stream in m/sec
2
A = Un obstructed sectional area of the river in m
2
a= Sectional area of the river at obstruction in m .
Para 4.7.2 In case of rivers with erodible beds, full afflux as
calculated by the formula may not occur

Clearance & free board

Back

References:
1. Sub Structure Code -2013
2. RBF-16 report published by RDSO
3. Flood estimation report for kaveri basin sub zone 3(i)
Field work

1. To see calculations for Q50 for small/ medium size catchments for new line

/ doubling

projects in design / construction office

2. Plotting catchment for a bridge from topo sheet & Working out catchment properties

Thank You