Bridge scour assessment by impulse radar

A laboratory experiment was conducted to establish the performance of impulse radar over water. The experiment was designed to investigate the accuracy of depth measurements, the coupling between antenna and water surface and the ability to predict the slope angle of an inclined submerged surface. The laboratory trial provided valuable insight to the use of impulse radar over water. Field surveys were then undertaken at two bridge sites and at one there was indication that scour had previously been deeper than at the time of the survey