Effects of bridge deck submergence on backwater

Currently no specific literature exists on the hydraulics of bridge rails. The objective of this research is to evaluate the hydraulic performance of bridge rail and deck systems and to provide recommendations on hydraulic analysis based on geometry for submerged and unsubmerged conditions to be used as a guideline in bridge design and construction. Physical modeling is used to establish rating curves for bridge-rail systems. Such curves provide a specific head discharge relationship that can then be non-dimensionalized using Froude scaling for greater applicability. An additional set of physical experiments will be conducted to analyze the effects of tailwater elevation and submergence (of the bridge superstructure) on backwater elevation. Tools will then be developed to provide prediction of hydraulic performance.