Simulating hydraulic interdependence between bridges along a river corridor under transient flood conditions.

Structural alterations to bridges may result in unintended consequences up- or downstream, such as changes in discharge, velocity, stream power, and water levels. This work presents a framework and methodology to analyze interconnected bridge-stream interactions under flood conditions. Such analysis may help prioritize limited resources available for bridge and river rehabilitations, facilitate holistic design of bridges and better-informed cost/benefit analyses, and address stakeholder concerns raised in response to planned bridge and infrastructure alterations.