A number of research efforts since 1991 resulted in the development of technology that can be used to predict the erodibility and extent of scour in rock. This research indicated four potential failure modes; I.e. abrasion, block removal, brittle fracture and fatigue failure. Scour can be predicted by making use of semi-empirical and physically based methods. An empirical approach that was found to work well is known as the Erodibility Index Method (Annandale 1995; 2006). Physically based methods, known as the Comprehensive Fracture Mechanics Approach, which is used to predict scour by brittle fracture and fatigue failure, and the Dynamic Impulsion Method, which is used to predict scour by block removal, have been developed by Bollaert (2002). Methods to predict scour by abrasion are not developed as yet. This paper summarizes current understanding and methods.
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