Similarly, for the two cases (scouring-free and scouring pier models), eigenvalue analysis was conducted to obtain their modal frequencies and mode shapes. Knowing that the pier is a cantilever-like structure, the change in its bottom boundary due to scour conditions would similarly change its vibration properties. Therefore, the FEM model is simplified by omitting the superstructure with little loss of generality on the alteration of vibration behavior. Future and further work would be required to adequately model the boundary condition for the top of the pier with regard to mass and stiffness of the bridge deck.Table 4 gives the modal frequencies of the first three modes. All three modal frequencies in the scouring case were about 30% smaller than those in the scouring-free case; as expected, the modal frequencies dropped as scouring occurred.Figure 9 shows the first three mode shapes for both the scouring-free and scouring cases, and Figure 10 shows the relative amplitude for the three observation points and the two cases. It is observed that the 1st mode is a longitudinal bending mode, and when scouring occurred, the relative amplitude in y-direction increased at Point No. 1 but decreased at Point No. 3. The 2nd mode is a torsional mode, and when scouring occurred, the relative amplitude in y-direction increased at Point No. 1 and decreased at Point No. 3. The 3rd mode is a lateral bending mode, and when scouring occurred, the relative amplitude changed little. In addition, the above three modes presented small z-direction amplitude as they are all bending modes, so the vibration in the z-direction is hardly useful in scouring detection.