Abstract:
The scour depth evolution around single piers has a unique logarithmic trend under clearwater,
according to diverse authors. However, in the case of complex piers, corresponding to a
column funded in a pile cap supported by a pile group, the scour depth evolution can have different
trends that are associated with the presence and exposure in the flow of the three structural
elements. This paper presents the results of maximum scour depth evolution in five tests of long
duration between 13 and 27 days. These tests are representative of different situations in which the
pile cap can be localized in relation to the initial bed level: above the bed, partially or completely
buried in the bed. The tests will also allow verifying if the criterion used by different authors to stop
the experimental tests is appropriate for complex piers
