Numerical Analysis of the Influence of the Impinging Distance on the Scouring Efficiency of Submerged Jets

Water jet technology is widely used in submerged buried pipes as a non-traditional trenching process,often invol-ving a complex sediment response.An important adjustable and influential engineering variable in this technol-ogy is represented by the impinging distance.In this study,the FLOW-3D software was used to simulate the jet scouring of sand beds in a submerged environment.In particular,four sets of experimental conditions were con-sidered to discern the relationship between the maximum scour depth and mass and the impinging distance.As shown by the results,a critical impinging distance h0 exists by which the static scour depth can be maximized;the scour mass ratio between dynamic and static conditions decreases as the impinging distance increases.Moreover,the profile contours are similar when the erosion parameter Ec is in the range 0.35<Ec<2.Empirical equations applicable for predicting the jet trenching contour under both dynamic and static scour modes are also provided in this study.

An Innovative Approach to Predicting Scour Depth Around Foundations Under Combined Waves and Currents in Large-Scale Tests Based on Small-Scale Tests

This study presents an innovative theoretical approach to predicting the scour depth around a foundation in large-scale model tests based on small-scale model tests under combined waves and currents.In the present approach,the hydrodynamic parameters were designed based on the Froude similitude criteria.To avoid the cohesive behavior,we scaled the sediment size based on the settling velocity similarity,i.e.,the suspended load similarity.Then,a series of different scale model tests was conducted to obtain the scour depth around the pile in combined waves and currents.The fitting formula of scour depth from the small-scale model tests was used to predict the results of large-scale tests.The accuracy of the present approach was validated by comparing the prediction values with experimental data of large-scale tests.Moreover,the correctness and accuracy of the present approach for foundations with complex shapes,e.g.,the tripod foundation,was further checked.The results indicated that the fitting line from small-scale model tests slightly overestimated the experimental data of large-scale model tests,and the errors can be accepted.In general,the present approach was applied to predict the maximum or equilibrium scour depth of the large-scale model tests around single piles and tripods.

Prediction of Scour Depth around Offshore Pipelines in the South China Sea

Scour depth prediction of offshore pipelines is of great significance to the design and construction of the submarine pipeline projects. In this paper, based on the CFD software package FLUENT and User Defined Function （UDF）, an Eulerian two-phase model, which includes an Euler-Euler coupled model for water and sediment phases, and a turbulent model for the fluid phase, is adopted to predict the scour depth around pipelines. The model is verified by observation data obtained from laboratory experiments. On the basis of the simulations, the factors affecting the scour depth, including the effects of incipient velocity, pipe diameter and sediment particle size and so on, were investigated. Meanwhile, according to formulas of incipient velocity of various sediments, approximate calculation on theoretical scour depths is developed for pipelines of seven stations in the South China Sea, where engineering application information is available.

Calculation of the ultimate depth of a scour pit after debris flow through drainage canal ribs

Drainage canals are engineering structures widely used for debris flow mitigation.When passing through a drainage canal,debris flow usually scours the gully bed at the back of the rib sill of the drainage canal,which leads to failure of the rib sill.Therefore,the scour depth at the back of the rib sill is an important design problem and it is related to the economic benefits of engineering and service years.To explore the law of the depth of the scour pit after debris flow through drainage canal ribs,we first proposed a formula for the calculation of the maximum scour depth at the back of a rib sill based on energy conservation.We then conducted a series of simulation experiments to test the proposed formula.The experimental results show that the scour depth,trench slope and the distance between ribs all increase with a decrease in debris flow density.We then compared the results of experiments and formula calculations.Through the testing analysis,we found that the calculation results of the conductedformula correspond with the experimental results better.Finally,taking Qipan Gully as an example,we designed the ultimate depth of a drainage canal for debris flow using the calculation formula.

Multi-approach analysis of maximum riverbed scour depth above subway tunnel

When subway tunnels are routed underneath rivers, riverbed scour may expose the structure, with potentially severe consequences. Thus, it is important to identify the maximum scour depth to ensure that the designed buried depth is adequate. There are a range of methods that may be applied to this problem, including the fluvial process analysis method, geological structure analysis method, scour formula method, scour model experiment method, and numerical simulation method. However, the application ranges and forecasting precision of these methods vary considerably. In order to quantitatively analyze the characteristics of the different methods, a subway tunnel passing underneath a river was selected, and the aforementioned five methods were used to forecast the maximum scour depth. The fluvial process analysis method was used to characterize the river regime and evolution trend, which were the baseline for examination of the scour depth of the riverbed. The results obtained from the scour model experiment and the numerical simulation methods are reliable; these two methods are suitable for application to tunnel projects passing underneath rivers. The scour formula method was less accurate than the scour model experiment method; it is suitable for application to lower risk projects such as pipelines. The results of the geological structure analysis had low precision; the method is suitable for use as a secondary method to assist other research methods. To forecast the maximum scour depth of the riverbed above the subway tunnel, a combination of methods is suggested, and the appropriate analysis method should be chosen with respect to the local conditions.

Effect of Mutual Interference of Bridge Piers on Scouring in Meandering Channel

Local scour is the reduction of original bed level around any hydraulic structure.Bridge failure due to scouring has made researchers study the cause of scouring and predict the scour depth and pattern around bridge piers and foundations.Several investigators have extensively studied local scour around isolated bridge pier,but modern designs of the bridges comprise of wide span and thus group of piers rather than a single pier.The flow and scour pattern around group of piers are different from the case of a single pier due to the interaction effect.The objective of present study is to investigate the effect of mutual interference of bridge piers on local scour experimentally around two piers in non-cohesive bed.Experiments were carried out on model bridge piers of circular cross section in a meandering channel.It was observed that when front and rear piers were placed at an angular displacement ofθ=40°and 80°respectively,maximum depth of scour is maximum.Hereθis the angle the line drawn at the inlet of bend to the line joining the centre of curvature and any point on the outer portion of the bend.

Experimental Study of Submergence Ratio on Local Scour Around a Square Pile in Steady Flow

Scour around a submerged square pile was realized experimentally in a steady flow to study the effects of flow depth on local scour.Flow depth to pile height ratios ranging from 1.5 to 5 in uniform sand and 2 to 5 in non-uniform sand were tested in the approaching flow velocity to critical velocity(larger than which the sediment particle is motivated)ratios of 0.56 and 1.03,respectively.The influences of flow depth were investigated on the basis of analysis of the three-dimensional topography,temporal maximum scour depth,bed profile development,and equilibrium scour depth.Results showed that the maximum scour depth was at the upstream corners of the pile other than at the stagnation point.The evolutions of the maximum scour depth data in non-uniform sand were well fitted with a recent exponential function,which characterized the initial,developing,and equilibrium stages of scour depth.The scour hole slopes upstream of the pile were found to be parallel to each other in the process of each test and were mainly governed by the sediment repose underwater.The equilibrium scour depth varied slightly with flow depth when the submergence ratio was larger than 1 in uniform sand while it was 2 in non-uniform sand.The armoring effects of coarse sediment particles markedly reduced the sediment transport in non-uniform sand despite the 0.34 increment in non-uniformity.

Experimental investigation and flow analysis of clear-water scour around pier and abutment in proximity

Local scour around bridge piers and abutments is one of the most significant causes of bridge failure.Despite a plethora of studies on scour around individual bridge piers or abutments,few studies have focused on the joint impact of a pier and an abutment in proximity to one another on scour.This study conducted laboratory experiments and flow analyses to examine the interaction of piers and abutments and their effect on clear-water scour.The experiments were conducted in a rectangular laboratory flume.They included 18 main tests(with a combination of different types of piers and abutments)and five control tests(with individual piers or abutments).Three pier types(a rectangular pier with a rounded edge,a group of three cylindrical piers,and a single cylindrical pier)and two abutment types(a wingewall abutment and a semicircular abutment)were used.An acoustic Doppler velocimeter was used to measure the three-dimensional flow velocity for analyses of streamline,velocity magnitude,vertical velocity,and bed shear stress.The results showed that the velocity near the pier and abutment increased by up to 80%.The maximum scour depth around the abutment increased by up to 19%.In contrast,the maximum scour depth around the pier increased significantly by up to l71%.The presence of the pier in the vicinity of the abutment led to an increase in the scour hole volume by up to 87%relative to the case with a solitary abutment.Empirical equations were also derived to accurately estimate the maximum scour depth at the pier adjacent to the abutment.

Local scour at offshore windfarm monopile foundations: A review

In this article,current research findings of local scour at offshore windfarm monopile foundations are presented.The scour mechanisms and scour depth prediction formulas under different hydrodynamic conditions are summarized,including the current-only condition,wave-only condition,combined wave-current condition,and complex dynamic condition.Furthermore,this article analyzes the influencing factors on the basis of classical equations for predicting the equilibrium scour depth under specific conditions.The weakness of existing researches and future prospects are also discussed.It is suggested that future research shall focus on physical experiments under unsteady tidal currents or other complex loadings.The computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method and artificial intelligence technique are suggested being adopted to study the scour at offshore windfarm foundations.

Evolution history and trend of the modern Huanghe River Delta

The evolvement history of modern Huanghe River Delta tidal flat, coastline and underwater terrain were studied based on the analysis of remote sensing images and water depth data. Based on the analysis of seafloor terrain evolution on different historical stages, a formula simulating the erosion and deposition evolvement model of subaqueous Huanghe River Delta slope was proposed, and the evolvement trend of the subaqueous delta terrain was predicted. The result shows that the equilibrium transition zone is near the water depth of 12 m with seabed erosion in shallower water and accumulation in deeper water during the first 150 a after the river channel was deserted. In the meantime, the underwater slope became gentler and the coastal erosion rate became slow gradually. Then, the subaqueous delta slope changed to up concave from upper convex, and the shape of subaqueous delta disappeared. The coast type changed to silt-mud coast about 100-150 a after the river course was deserted. The erosion depth in the foot of the seawall is calculated based on the formula.

Effect of trapezoidal collars as a scour countermeasure around wing-wall abutments

Local scour around bridge abutments is a widespread problem that can result in structural failure. Collars can be used as a countermeasure to reduce the scour depth. In this study, the temporal scour development around a wing-wall abutment was investigated with and without collars. The tests were carried out under clear-water conditions for different abutment lengths, with collars of different sizes placed at the bed level. When no collar was used in the experiments, 70% of the maximum scour depth occurred in less than 2 h. However, when a collar with a width greater than the length of the abutment was used, no scour was observed for up to 200 min from the beginning of the experiments. The results show that an increase in the collar width not only led to a lag time for the onset of scouring but also reduced the maximum scour depth. Moreover, an increased collar width led to a better performance in mitigating scouring around smaller abutments. Generally, the scour depth decreased by 9%-37% with different collar widths.

Large-scale experimental study on scour around offshore wind monopiles under irregular waves

The Keulegan-Carpenter(KC)number is the main dimensionless parameter that affects the local scour of offshore wind power monopile foundations.This study conducted large-scale(1:13)physical model tests to study the local scour shape,equilibrium scour depth,and local scour volume of offshore wind power monopiles under the action of irregular waves with different KC numbers.Systematic experiments were carried out with the KC number ranging from 1.0 to 13.0.With a small KC number(KC<6),and especially when the KC number was less than 4,the scour mainly occurred on both cross-flow sides of the monopile with a low scour depth.When the KC number exceeded 4,the shape of the scour hole changed from a fan to an ellipse,and the maximum scour depth increased significantly with KC.With a large KC number(KC>6),the proposed method better predicted the equilibrium scour depth when the wave broke.In addition,according to the results of three-dimensional terrain scanning,the relationship between the local equilibrium scour volume of a single offshore wind power monopile and the KC number was derived.This provided a rational method for estimation of the riprap redundancy for monopile protection against scour.

Investigation on the Local Scour Beneath Piggyback Pipelines Under Clear-Water Conditions

A piggyback pipeline consists of two pipes such that the secondary line rides on the main pipe with a fixed distance between two pipes in length.The novel strategy is utilized in offshore areas instead of a single flow line.In this regard,there are only a handful of experimental and numerical studies investigating the effect of scour below a piggyback pipeline under steady current.Hence,this study focuses on examining the influential factors on scouring due to steady current including the pipe diameter and the gap between pipes through numerical simulations and experimental tests.Accordingly,at the first phase of the research,a single pipe was established and tested in laboratory to compare the results with those of an empirical equation.After finishing experimental verifications,piggyback pipelines were also assembled to study the scouring under steady current conditions.It was concluded that by increasing the gap distance between the pipes,the maximum scour depth decreases;however,an increase in the small pipe’s diameter results in a larger maximum scour depth.Secondly,numerical simulations were carried out using the FLOW-3D software which was found to be a suitable tool for the numerical investigation of this study.Finally,the numerical results have been compared with the corresponding experimental data and a relatively good agreement was achieved between them.

M5 Model Tree to Predict Temporal Evolution of Clear-Water Abutment Scour

Scour is a natural phenomenon that is created by the rivers streams or the flood which brings about transferring or eroding of bed materials. To have accurate and safe erosion control structures design, maximum scour depth in downstream of the structures gains specific significance. In the current study, M5 model tree as remedy data mining approaches is suggested to estimate the scour depth around the abutments. To do this, Kayaturk laboratory data (2005), with different hydraulic conditions, are used. Then, the results of M5 model were also compared with genetic programming (GP) and pervious empirical results to investigate the applicability, ability, and accuracy of these procedures. To examine the accuracy of the results yielded from the M5 and GP procedures, two performance indicators (determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE)) were used. The comparison test of results clearly shows that the implementation of M5 technique sounds satisfactory regarding the performance indicators (R2 = 0.944 and RMSE = 0.126) with less deviation from the numerical values. In addition, M5 tree model, by presenting relationships based on liner regression, has good capability to estimate the depth of scour abutment for engineers in practical terms.

Geo-textile in Riverbank-Embankment Protection from Flood Flow Erosion

Bank erosion of rivers, e.g. Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kosi and Kamla-Balan, all originating in the Himalayan hills of Nepal and flowing throughthe alluvial plains of North Bihar, is a chronic and common phenomenon.Cutting and deposition result in shifting or meandering of the riverendangering the embankment, road, bridge, barrage, and countryside.Anti-erosion and maintenance require huge investment. The river Kamla-Balan faces bank erosion throughout its embanked length, but stretchesat km 37 and 62 are highly unstable and vulnerable. This paper dealswith the problem, presents the hydrological details responsible for thehazard, and demonstrates the effectiveness of supplementary geo-textilewith conventional sand filter pitching to protect the soil and slope of theriverbank. Estimated flood discharge and velocity at 100 years of returnperiod is nearly 2100 cumecs and 0.9 m/sec, respectively. Riverbed andbank material is represented by silt with d50 of 0.018 to 0.05 mm while0.02 mm of silt may get eroded and transported by flow above 0.15 m/s. Launching apron is also required due to local scour. Model study testshows its suitability under various hydraulic conditions. Study reveals theeffectiveness of woven type geo-textile reinforced revetment irrespective ofcost and environmental consideration.

Equilibrium scour depth at offshore monopile foundation in combined waves and current

Unlike the pier scour in bridge waterways,the local scour at offshore monopile foundations should take into account the effect of wave-current combination.Under the condition of wave-current coexistence,the water-soil interfacial scouring is usually coupled with the pore-pressure dynamics inside of the seabed.The aforementioned wave/current-pile-soil coupling process was physically modeled with a specially designed flow-structure-soil interaction flume.Experimental results indicate that superimposing a current onto the waves obviously changes the pore-pressure and the flow velocity at the bed around the pile.The concomitance of horseshoe vortex and local scour hole around a monopile proves that the horseshoe vortex is one of the main controlling mechanisms for scouring development under the combined waves and current.Based on similarity analyses,an average-velocity based Froude number(Fra)is proposed to correlate with the equilibrium scour depth(S/D)at offshore monopile foundation in the combined waves and current.An empirical expression for the correlation between S/D and Fra is given for predicting equilibrium scour depth,which may provide a guide for offshore engineering practice.

NEURAL NETWORK MODELING FOR ESTIMATION OF SCOUR DEPTH AROUND BRIDGE PIERS

It is essential to predict the scour depth around bridge piers for hydraulic engineers involved in the economical design of bridge pier foundation. Conventional investigations have long been of the opinion that empirical scour prediction equations based on laboratory data over predict scour depths. In this article, the Back-Propagation Neural Network （BPN） was applied to predict the scour depth in order to overcome the problem of exclusive and the nonlinear relationships. The observations obtained from thirteen states in USA was verified by the present model. From the comparison with conventional experimental methods, it can be found that the scour depth around bridge piers can be efficiently predicted using the BPN.

Particle swarm optimization model to predict scour depth around a bridge pier

Scour depth around bridge piers plays a vital role in the safety and stability of the bridges.The former approaches used in the prediction of scour depth are based on regression models or black box models in which the first one lacks enough accuracy while the later one does not provide a clear mathematical expression to easily employ it for other situations or cases.Therefore,this paper aims to develop new equations using particle swarm optimization as a metaheuristic approach to predict scour depth around bridge piers.To improve the efficiency of the proposed model,individual equations are derived for laboratory and field data.Moreover,sensitivity analysis is conducted to achieve the most effective parameters in the estimation of scour depth for both experimental and filed data sets.Comparing the results of the proposed model with those of existing regression-based equations reveal the superiority of the proposed method in terms of accuracy and uncertainty.Moreover,the ratio of pier width to flow depth and ratio of d50 (mean particle diameter)to flow depth for the laboratory and field data were recognized as the most effective parameters,respectively.The derived equations can be used as a suitable proxy to estimate scour depth in both experimental and prototype scales.

Impacts of ice cover on local scour around semi-circular bridge abutment

The presence of ice cover in winter can significantly change the flow field around bridge abutments, which can also cause a different local scour pattern. To investigate the impacts of ice cover, results from a recent flume experiments were presented. Smooth and rough ice covers were created to investigate the impacts of ice cover roughness on the scour geometry around the semi-circular abutment. Three bed materials were used, with 50D s of 0.58 mm, 0.50 mm, 0.47 mm respectively. Scour volume and scour area were calculated. It was found that the maximum scour depth was located 75o inclined to the flume wall. Under rough ice cover, the scour area and scour depth were the largest. An empirical equation on the maximum scour depth was also developed.

A revisit of the local scour around bridge piers under an ice-covered flow condition-An experimental study

In this study,by changing both pier diameters and particle sizes of sand bed in flume experiments,the scour process around cylindrical bridge piers under an ice-covered flow condition has been investigated.It is found that the appearance of an ice cover on the water surface caused a deeper and wider scour hole in comparison with that in an open flow with identical flow rates,implying a larger volume of scour hole under an ice-covered flow condition.Similar to the scouring process at a bridge pier under an open flow condition,both the depth and volume of a scour hole increase with the flow velocity and pier diameter.Comparing with results under an open flow condition,for identical flow rates,the maximum depth of a scour hole under an ice-covered flow condition increased by about 20%-30%,and both the scour area and volume of a scour hole increased by about 40%-50%.A flow at Froude number of 0.15 is the demarcation point for assessing an obvious impact of an ice cover on the local scour around a bridge pier in this experimental study.Using data collected from laboratory experiments,equations have been developed to calculate the maximum scour depth,scour area and scour volume.Results of present study have been compared with those of others.