15 Oct 2025

Use of Chirp Sub-bottom Acoustic Profiling to Assess the Integrity of the Submerged Portion of the Jonesville Lock and Dam, Located at Jonesville, Louisiana

Abstract: Jonesville Lock and Dam serves as a critical navigation conduit along the Black River in Louisiana. The structure has previously been impacted by localized scour, leading to concerns regarding the structure’s long-term integrity and an effort to stabilize the structure with targeted fill efforts. Despite these efforts, operators continued to observe localized water and sediment swirls and boils during high-flow events, suggesting that scour is still an ongoing concern. Recent research suggests that shallow acoustic sub-bottom mapping might be able to identify ongoing or historical scour along and underneath concrete structures, and that technique was evaluated at Jonesville. Sub-bottom profiles revealed density anomalies along the inside, eastern wall of the lock structure and underneath both the lock floor and the wall. These anomalies are interpreted to represent an erosional surface created by ephemeral scour events, with subsequent infilling of homogenous, fine-grained sand. The complex geology on which Jonesville is constructed likely contributes to the localized scour observed at this navigation facility.

14 Oct 2025

Literature on the Load Distributions for Effects on Hydraulic Steel Structures: Notes on Existing Literature for Establishing LRFD Load Factors

Abstract: Previous to 1993 Hydraulic Steel Structures (HSS) were designed using Allowable Stress Design (ASD); modern design, has transitioned to Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method, which targets a probability of a limit state. To implement LRFD, an understanding of the probability distributions of the loads applied to the structure, the resistances of the components of the structure, and the approximate durations and overlapping of these loads must be determined. The loads applied to HSS are dissimilar to loads applied to buildings or roads, so existing distributions cannot be applied to this problem. Any attempts to implement LRFD without these distributions will result in designs that do not target the probability of reaching a limit state. The USACE has adapted LRFD load combinations and factors to encompass the different geometry, force and displacement conditions, and environments present in HSS. This work collects literature for load effects on HSS to determine either probabilistic distributions or what loads sufficiently unknown to necessitate new research. Because the loads the HSS are subject to are dissimilar to other designed structures, these load distributions cannot be taken from them directly. Loads considered are hydrodynamic, barge impacts, debris impacts, ice expansion, seismic, wind, and waves.

29 Sep 2025

River Training Structure Design Study for Stabilization at Bonanza Bar

Abstract: The Huntington District (LRH) has repeatedly dredged within the navigation channel at Ohio River Mile (RM) 353, adjacent to a location known as Bonanza Bar. An in-channel bar has developed from the placement of the dredged material along the left-descending bank where a bar was historically present. Recently, the frequency of dredging in this area has decreased, suggesting that the presence of the bar is providing some degree of channel constriction. LRH approached the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center to model possible river training structures to provide channel constriction and stabilize the placement of dredged material at Bonanza Bar. A two-dimensional hydraulic numerical model was developed to test structural alternatives by estimating the impacts on the velocities within the main channel, along the length of the bar, and along the mussel habitat within the side channel. Various rock dikes with bank protection were modeled and general design guidance and modeling results are presented. Modeling results indicate increases in main channel velocities and decreases in flow behind the structure for all modeled alternatives. Rootless dikes and bullnose chevrons provide adequate space and flow for side channel presence as opposed to the continuous and notched dikes.

23 Sep 2025

Physical Model Evaluation of the Yazoo Backwater Pumping Plant: Pump Intake Model Study

Abstract: The Yazoo Backwater Area, located in west Central Mississippi, has historically experienced major flood events caused by high floodwaters from the Mississippi River and interior rainfall accumulation. To manage this, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District (MVK) proposed the construction of a 12-pump, 14,000-cfs-capacity pump station. The pump intake performance of the proposed pump station was evaluated using a scaled physical hydraulic model. The 1:17.62-scale model incorporated the hydraulically relevant components of the design including the inlet channel, all 12 intake bays with formed suction intakes and pump columns, abutments, and surrounding topography. Various pump-operating conditions and intake water-surface elevations were evaluated for acceptable pump performance. Approach-flow conditions were generally symmetrical with minor contraction at the intake divider walls. The outer pump bays produced a less uniform flow distribution. Surface vortices were found to be unacceptable for several pump-operating conditions at the minimum-intake water elevation (EL) and pump-on water-surface elevation. Tests indicated that vortex suppressor beams would be required in the pump bays to reduce the severity and frequency of surface vortices. With the beams installed, the pump intakes provided satisfactory hydraulic performance for the approach-flow conditions.

15 Sep 2025

Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (FRP) Composite Sandwich Panel Barge Impact Modeling and Repair Testing: Dynamic and Static Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Predictions for Impact and Flexural Testing Validated with Experiments

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center has studied the functionality, durability, and structural integrity of fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) composite materials in civil works infrastructure. Compared to traditional materials like steel, composites offer a high strength-to-density ratio and excellent resistance to environmental degradation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dynamic response of FRP composite sandwich panels subjected to a barge impact with typical masses and velocities. A finite element model was created for FRP composite sandwich panels by incorporating cohesive interaction properties to evaluate the damage between three-dimensional (3D) layers. To validate the model, several FRP composite sandwich panels were experimentally subjected to low-velocity impacts and compared to the models. Moreover, flexural experiments were performed to determine the reduction of structural performance after impact and the efficacy of two different repair methods. Numerical predictions were developed to explore the damage caused by the interfaces of FRP composite layers. Load, deflection, and velocities were obtained experimentally and with finite element models.

3 Jul 2025

Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Replacement Study: Hydrodynamic Modeling and Ship Simulation

Abstract: The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock connects the Mississippi River to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, surrounded by developed areas in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tow transit times through the current IHNC lock take up to 20 hours. The US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has proposed constructing a new lock to reduce tow transit times significantly. However, the new lock will have potential effects on vehicle traffic patterns due to the three bridges across IHNC. To address potential navigation issues, hydrodynamic modeling and ship simulations of the study area were conducted for the three phases of the project: new lock construction, present lock deconstruction, and proposed new lock design. The hydrodynamic model was developed and validated to present conditions, simulating various water levels across the lock structure to provide water levels and currents for ship simulation. The ship simulation was used to record transit times to determine impacts of the waterborne vessel traffic on vehicular traffic due to bridge raising and lowering, as well as navigability of the bypass channels associated with lock construction and existing lock deconstruction. Elicitation from the towing industry was used to inform final design of the new IHNC lock and bypass channels.

2 Apr 2025

LaGrange Lock and Dam, Illinois River: Navigation Approach Physical Model

Abstract: A physical model study of the LaGrange Lock and Dam was conducted to optimize the navigation conditions for the new landside lock chamber design developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers–Rock Island District, Inland Navigation Design Center, and Stanley Consultants. A 1:120 Froude scale model was built to evaluate the navigation conditions for tows entering and exiting the upper and lower approaches. The final design consisted of a new 1,200 ft lock chamber located landward of the existing chamber. Data were collected to evaluate tow tracks and current direction and velocity information. Satisfactory navigation conditions were developed, and details are shown in the results section of this report.

3 Mar 2025

Low-Sill Control Structure: Physical Modeling Investigation—Potential Upstream Dike Fields

Abstract: The model investigation reported herein describes the process to analyze the effects of proposed dikes in various locations upstream of the Low-Sill Control Structure (LSCS) using an existing 1:55 Froude-scaled physical model. The purpose of this effort was to utilize the physical model to explore potential configurations of river-training structures in the approach channel that would result in more uniform flow conditions at the structure. This analysis was conducted by constructing dikes out of both sandbags and rock. Each dike configuration was surveyed using lidar and then tested by collecting particle-tracking velocimetry data. A total of nine dike configurations were tested in the physical model, and the resulting flow fields in the approach channel were provided to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division. Most configurations resulted in data that showed improved, straighter flow paths in the approach channel. The results of these tests indicated that an L-head dike configured as the 50 ft stone dike 1-23A provided relatively straight flow conditions approaching the LSCS with relative uniform velocities across the channel.

7 Aug 2024

Traveling Kevel Load Analysis for Inland Locks, Phase I: Previous Failures

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has begun an investigation of the load conditions experienced by a traveling kevel when moored to a moving barge train. These traveling kevel systems are essential for the safe and efficient use of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) navigation lock inventory. This work is being conducted as part of the Navigation Systems Research Program of the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL). Recent failures of traveling kevels suggest that the existing design guidance for design loads for traveling kevels may need updating. This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) describes the pertinent background information and the current issues related to previous traveling kevel failures.

28 May 2024

Statistical Analysis of Storm Surge and Seiche Hazards for Lake Erie

Abstract: Storm surge and seiche events are generally forced by severe storms, initially resulting in a wind-driven super elevation of water level on one or more sides of a lake (surge) followed by a rebound and periodic oscillation of water levels between opposing sides of the lake (seiche). These events have caused flooding along Lake Erie and significant damages to coastal communities and infrastructure. This study builds upon statistical analysis methods initially developed for the 2012 federal interagency Great Lakes Coastal Flood Study. Using the Coastal Hazards System's stochastic Storm Simulation (StormSim) suite of tools, including the Probabilistic Simulation Technique (PST), and regional frequency model, historical extreme events were assessed in a local frequency analysis and a regional frequency analysis to quantify the annual exceedance frequency (AEF) of WLD events specific to Lake Erie. The objective of this study was to quantify AEFs of storm surge and seiche hazards to provide a better understanding of these events to aid flood mitigation and risk reduction for lakeside properties.