An opening in the floor portion of a bridge to provide a means for rain or other water accumulated upon the roadway surface to drain through it into the space beneath the structure. Recommendations for preventive maintenance include:
- Clean and flush out scuppers at least once per year and more often as necessary to allow for free drainage off the deck.
- Check area below the scuppers where drainage is allowed to freefall. Repair washouts in embankment below bridge as necessary with dump rock or rip rap.
- If scupper downspouts do not extend below the bottom of beam flanges or if the ends have deteriorated and drainage is not clearing the structural steel, consider extending to at least 6" below the flanges with the use of PVC pipe of equal size and a rubber sleeve fitting attached with stainless steel hose clamps.
Typical Scupper (Top Side)
Typical Scupper (Bottom Side)
A Scupper partially clogged with debris.
Clogged Scupper
Extension of Scupper Pipe to minimize splashing of water on beams.
Use of rip-rap or dump rock to enhance slope stability at abutments.
Use of grout filled mattresses to enhance slope stability.
Poor deck drainage and lack of embankment protection can undermine stability of abutments.