Author(s): Norio Harada, Kana Nakatani, Yoshifumi Satofuka, Takahisa Mizuyama
Linked Author(s): Norio Harada
Keywords: Bridge, driftwood, experiment, stake, natural debris
Abstract: In Japan, stakes have long been used to control driftwood accumulation and prevent bridges from becoming blocked. However, no formal design code has been established. Thus, stake installations at individual bridges differ. It is important to clarify the function of these stakes. For example, some stakes are used to prevent rubbish from accumulating near piers. In this paper, we describe an experiment to evaluate how effective the traditional stakes are as a countermeasure against the driftwood accumulation. We supplied water and driftwood from a flume and observed the mechanisms by which the stakes prevented driftwood damage. We varied the arrangement of stakes, the distance between them, their angle with respect to the riverbed, and the direction of driftwood flow. Driftwood passed between piers after rotating around stakes. Consequently, we suggest that bridges can be protected by vertical stakes, as these prevent the accumulation of driftwood
Year: 2017