Author(s): Everett V. Richardson; J. Sterling Jones; James C. Blodgett

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Abstract: On March 10,1995 the two I-5 bridges over Los Gatos Creek (Arroyo Pasajero) near Coalinga, California failed because of scour resulting from a large flood. Four cars and 1 truck went into the Arroyo with the loss of 7 lives. An investigation into the magnitude of the scour depths using the Level 1,2, and 3 analysis approach recommended by the Federal Highway Administration Publications HEC 18 and 20 resulted in a determination that the minimum potential total scour depth of 25.2 ft would result in the column bents having an embedment of 15.8 ft. But more important would have exposed 8.9 ft of the cast-in-place concrete columns that have no steel reinforcement. The force of water and debris, at an angle of attack of the flow from 15 to 26 degrees, acting on the columns with a 8 to 12 ft high web wall constructed around and between them for reinforcement, caused them to fail.

DOI:

Year: 1997