Abstract
Bridge scour poses a persistent threat to infrastructure durability, necessitating the development of novel, eco-friendly solutions to complement traditional protection methods. One potential solution developed at the University of Miami is SEAHIVE, a system of hexagonal hollow concrete prisms with perforations on each face. SEAHIVE elements have been used as a sustainable estuarine and marine revetment to mitigate wave energy along seawalls emulating beehives. SEAHIVE elements also provide habitat for displaced ecosystems, such as hybrid coral reefs and mangrove tree planters. In this study, we describe the experimental setup and results to evaluate the ability of SEAHIVE elements in reducing local scour at bridge piers. Specifically, this study evaluated the local scour development around three configurations of a SEAHIVE monopile compared to a circular monopile through scaled physical testing in the Texas State University flume. By quantifying the equilibrium scour depth and the volume of the scour hole around SEAHIVE monopiles, the research contributes valuable insights into the use of SEAHIVE for scouring protection and the ability of novel sustainable and eco- friendly solutions in enhancing infrastructure durability.