Author(s): K. N. C. Karunarathna; L. Hart; T. Mcgrath

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Bridge scour analysis; Hydrodynamic modelling; SOBEK; XP-RAFTS; Floodplain modelling

Abstract: The Alice Springs – Darwin Railway Project involved the construction of 1420 km of new standard gauge track between Alice Springs and Darwin, including the McKinlay River No. 2 Bridge. During the 2006,2007 and 2008 flood seasons, significant scour occurred around the McKinlay River No. 2 Bridge piers, raising concerns regarding the continuing stability of the structure. The site has complex geometry, with the river approaching the crossing at a significant angle and the remains of the original railway bridge just upstream of the new structure. Owing to the complex arrangement, a detailed 2-D hydrodynamic SOBEK model of the bridge crossing was developed to inform the design of scour protection works at the site. The model was used to analyse a number of options to reduce the potential for scour, and allowed for the scour protection works to be optimised for conditions at the site. The designed protection works were constructed in 2011, and have performed well in several subsequent flow events.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14264/uql.2014.45

Year: 2014