What does general scour refer to?

General scour refers to the lowering of the streambed across the waterway at a bridge, which can affect the stability of the structure. This phenomenon occurs when the flow of water removes sediment from the riverbed over a broad area, not just at localized spots; it's a more widespread issue that can lead to the overall deepening of the channel. This process can have significant implications for bridge foundations, as excessive lowering of the streambed may expose bridge piers or abutments to increased loads or, in severe cases, can lead to structural failure if not properly addressed.

Understanding general scour is critical for engineers and inspectors because it helps them assess the long-term effects of water flow on bridges and enables them to implement necessary countermeasures to protect the infrastructure more effectively.