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Developing a New Accuracy-Improved Model for Estimating Scour Depth Around Piers using a Hybrid Method

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Abstract

In spite of various methods applied for determining scouring depth around piers, the empirical models are the ones utilized in practice more than others. In this regard, the accuracy of empirical equation used plays the key role in the estimation of scouring depth in numerical software. In this paper, a new accuracy-improved empirical model is proposed to estimate scour depth around piers. The new model, which considers three equations based on the ratio of flow velocity to the critical velocity for the mean particle diameter, is developed using a powerful hybrid method based on various reliable field databases. The performance of the proposed model is compared with those of six common empirical ones available in the literature, artificial neural network, and genetic programing. The empirical models include the two models used in HEC-18, the model developed by Florida Department of Transportation (known as FDOT), Froehlich’s equation, Jain–Fischer’s equation, and Afzali’s equation. According to the obtained results, it is concluded that the new model achieves more precise results comparing with the other conventional and practical available models for the considered data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Zand Blvd., Shiraz, Iran

    Majid Niazkar & Seied Hosein Afzali

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  1. Majid Niazkar
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  2. Seied Hosein Afzali
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Correspondence to Majid Niazkar.

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Niazkar, M., Afzali, S.H. Developing a New Accuracy-Improved Model for Estimating Scour Depth Around Piers using a Hybrid Method. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 43, 179–189 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-018-0129-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-018-0129-9

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