Using finite element method and support vector machine to evaluate scour bridge condition

Scouring around bridge piers is one of the major reasons for bridge failures and makes disaster since it tends to occur suddenly and without prior warning. However, the mechanism of water flow around the pier structure is complicated, which makes it is very difficult to develop a generic model to evaluate the scour bridge condition and provide a safety level. In this study, an integrated model that combines support vector machine (SVM) and finite element simulation technology is introduced to estimate the scour depth and determinate the safety level of scour bridge by using the natural frequency of the bridge structure. The proposed model in this study provides effective way to have a prior understanding of scour bridge condition and avoid the disaster of bridge failure.