The master’s thesis of the researcher Abdulsattar Abduljabbar Kadhim was discussed at the College of Engineering, University of Basrah / Department of Civil Engineering, entitled:
“An Analytical Study on the Impact of River Water Flow on the Soil Scouring at Bridge Foundations in Basrah Governorate”

The study included an analysis of four common cases of scour: long-term degradation, piers scour, contraction scour, and abutment scour. It also involved a field application on Al-Nahairat Bridge, located on the Tigris River in the Al-Qurna district, which is among the bridges potentially exposed to flood risks due to seasonal hydrological variations.

This discussion comes at a time when several Iraqi provinces are witnessing bridge failures caused by flash floods and rapidly flowing water, highlighting the significant importance of specialized engineering research in evaluating bridge stability and identifying factors contributing to their vulnerability.

The findings revealed that flow velocity, the inclination of the water flow relative to the riverbed, and the angle of attack of the current toward the bridge piers are among the most influential factors contributing to increased scour depth, leading to the deterioration of bridge foundations and reduced structural stability.

The thesis also resulted in the preparation of four scientific papers, three of which have already received acceptance for publication, while the fourth is currently under review for final approval