This project involved the development of a guideline for bridge owners on managing the risk of bridge flooding, scour and resilience due to floods and an update to the Austroads Guide to Bridge Technology Part 8: Hydraulic Design of Waterway Structures (AGBT08) .

The guideline provides a framework for managing risks to bridge infrastructure caused by floods, focusing on improving resilience, operational performance safety. It aims to equip engineers, asset managers, and decision-makers with strategies to address flood-related challenges, particularly those associated with scour and structural vulnerability. The guideline highlights proactive measures such as pre-flood inspections, prioritising critical bridges, and real-time monitoring during floods. Post-flood recovery focuses on condition assessments, load testing, and criteria for safe reopening.

AGBT08 was updated to incorporate updated design related knowledge and guidance on hydrology and hydraulics in alignment with Australian Rainfall and Runoff 2019.

Details About the Webinar

About the Speakers

1748910357-337e972efb71d838 Nigel Powers

Nigel commenced with NTRO in 2019 and is the National Discipline Leader – Structures. He has over 24 years experience including 18 years in the Victorian public service in VicRoads/DoT and Major Road Projects Victoria. During this time Nigel reached Director level and has worked across numerous aspects of road assets including the planning, design, construction, maintenance and management of bridges, structures, pavements and related road assets.

1762473800-90d31040afe014d2 Colum McGovern

Colum McGovern is a Structural Engineer with NTRO’s Asset Performance – Structures team, where he has been involved since 2023. With over six years of experience spanning structural design, asset management, and research, Colum brings both technical expertise and practical insight to the management of transport infrastructure.

Before joining NTRO, Colum worked as a consulting engineer, gaining a strong foundation in structural analysis, design, and project management. He also has extensive field experience conducting bridge inspections across Ireland and Australia, assessing structural condition and recommending remedial measures.

At NTRO, Colum has contributed to several national research projects under the NACoE program and is a contributing author of the new Austroads guideline supporting the management of bridges during flood events.

Colum holds a bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering from the Technological University of Dublin.