pdf, 12 MiB - Infoscience - EPFL

Comparison with scale model tests and field data
7.5 Comparison with scale model tests and field data
7.5.1 Scale model tests (Gurtnellen)
In August 1987, a flood on the Reuss River caused important damages on infrastructures in Gurtnellen/Wiler,
Switzerland. In order to protect the village from future floods, scale model tests
were performed at the “Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie” (VAW) at
the Swiss Federal Institute of Zurich (ETHZ) (KUSTER, JÄGGI & BEZZOLA, 1992). As scour
reducing measure, vertical ribs were placed along the outer side walls. Since these tests were scaled
on the flood event data 1 , the test results will be used hereafter to test the applicability of equation
7.63 to field data.
The situation of the analyzed bend and the measured water levels and bed topography are given
on Figures 7.14 and 7.16.
Figure 7.14: Schematic view of the bank protection elements upstream the Wilerbrücke (right end of the scheme).
Element 1 is the vertical side wall equiped with ribs [Kuster et al, 1992, Fig. 22]
Figure 7.15: Configuration of the vertical ribs along the outer side wall (Schutzelement 1) [Kuster et al, 1992,
Bild 27]
1. Based on the caused damages, the scour depth was determined.
EPFL Ph.D thesis 2632 - Daniel S. Hersberger November 9, 2002 / page 183