Abstract

The main objective of this study is to show that Epipremnum aureum could be used as an alternative approach to reduce the scour rate of an integral bridge. Integral bridges, also referred to as integral bent bridges or rigid-frame bridges, reduce initial construction costs and long-term maintenance expenses. Most bridge failures around the world occurred due to scour at the bridge foundations during heavy floods. Many previous local scour studies concentrate on piers, abutments, or combined piles separately. Since the concept of the integral bridge is similar to a portal frame, there is a need to combine superstructure and substructure together in two floodplains, representing the real situation which involves complex structure and complex flow. This study is a unique blend of hydraulics, structures, and related environmental issues. An alternative scour countermeasure for integral bridges must be low in maintenance, and visually pleasing. This research contributes a new approach to the control of scour by using a specific plant (E. aureum) that could preserve nature and promote biodiversity. E. aureum is a tough, aesthetically pleasing plant with green and yellow heart-shaped leaves, environmentally friendly, practical, and very economical. The roots propagate easily from stem cuttings, or layering in water or soil. This study involves all parts of the bridge, floodplains, and the main channel, thereby emphasizing the real situation in the river. A statistical approach was used to summarize experimental results and to investigate the relationship between calculated and observed values.

Key words: Epipremnum aureum, environmentally friendly, integral bridge, scour, time evolution.

Abbreviation

K_yB, Depth size; K_I, flow intensity; K_d, sediment size; K_s, pier or abutment shape; K_θ, pier or abutment alignments; K_G, channel geometry; K_t, time factor.