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Criteria for selecting riprap to protect bridge abutments against scour were investigated.

Experiments were conducted with a spill-through abutment under both clear-water and live bed conditions in a laboratory flume.

The riprap size and apron size and extent were varied.

The data were compiled graphically, with dimensionless variables representing riprap size and apron extent on the axes.

A useful relationship was found, with a clear zone of partial failure.

Keywords: bridge scour, riprap, protection, hydraulic modelling, abutment, live bed, mobile bed, riprap apron