Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters in Civil Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Metin Oguzmert
Abstract
Bridge scour is adjudged to be one of the leading causes of bridge failure, necessitating reliable and nonintrusive monitoring techniques. This study experimentally investigates the feasibility of detecting scour-induced changes in bridge foundations using ambient vibration measurements under controlled laboratory conditions. A scaled bridge model was subjected to progressive scour scenarios, and ambient vibration data were collected in a confined lab conditions without applying external excitation. Modal parameters, including natural frequencies and mode shapes, were extracted and analyzed to evaluate their sensitivity to varying scour depths. Results demonstrate a consistent reduction in natural frequencies and measurable changes in modal characteristics as scour severity increased, indicating a clear correlation between foundation degradation and dynamic response. The findings confirm that ambient vibration-based monitoring can effectively identify scour-related structural changes in a controlled environment, supporting its potential for continuous, low-cost bridge health monitoring applications. This study provides experimental evidence to inform the development of vibration-based scour detection frameworks for in-service bridges.