EXPERIMENTS ON FLOW AROUND A CYLINDER IN A SCOURED CRANNEL BED

1 INTRODUCTION'LOcal scour around a pier is a result of the interatiOn amongst the pier, the aPproach flow and theerodible bed. The Presence of a pier results in a stagnation pressure build-up in front of the pier and athree-dimensional tUrbulent flow echaracterized by the downward flow ahead of the pier and the so-called horseshoe vortex along the base of the Pier forms itself The flow modifies the erothe bed inthe vicinity of the pier when local scour takes place (Graf and AJhnakar l…     

EXPERIMENTS ON FLOW AROUND A CYLINDER IN A SCOURED CHANNEL BED

The flow pattern around a cylinder, installed in a scoured channel bed, was experimentally investigated. Detailed measurements of the instantaneous 3D velocities were performed by using an Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (ADVP), from which the profiles of the time-averaged velocities and turbulence stresses were obtained. It is shown that the influence of the cylinder and of the scour hole alters the approach flow; this is essentially confined to the vicinity of the cylinder and to the inside of the scour hole. The horseshoe vortex is measured as a flow reversal inside the scour hole, formed by the downward flow along the cylinder face and the reversed flow at the scour bed.     

Numerical investigation of local scour at two adjacent cylinders

Local scour around cylinders in a side-by-side or tandem arrangement under clear-water conditions is investigated numerically. Large eddy simulations with a Smagorinsky subgrid model are combined with a ghost-cell immersed boundary method, and details of the bed scouring are realized with sophisticated sediment and morphodynamic models. The scour patterns and depths in the two-cylinder cases are shown to be significantly influenced by the cylinder spacing. The features of the scour evolution, depth, and flow fields for a range of cylinder spacings are discussed. The maximum scour depth in the side-by-side cylinder cases increases as the distance between the cylinders decreases, whereas in the tandem cases, it tends to initially increase with increasing distance between the cylinders, after which it gradually decreases beyond the peak point. The maximum scour depths and trends computed using the present model show good agreement with the measured data in the literature.     

Scouring of a granular bed by dam break: Experimental study and numerical simulation by a VOF-LPT coupling

The first part of the research reported here consists of an experimental campaign to study the scouring of a granular bed(glass beads, sand) induced by a dam break in an open channel. Two configurations are considered: with and without cylinders. In the second part of this study, the volume of fluid method coupled with the shear stress transport turbulent model and the lagrangian particle tracking method is used to simulate the local scour processes. The four-way coupling is realized by consider...     

Characteristics of developing scour-holes at a sand-embedded cylinder

Characteristics of developing scour-holes at a sand-embedded 0.2 m diameter circular cylinder are presented. Non-intrusive, high-resolution topographic measurements of developing scour-holes were made with an experimental installation using a laser distance sensor （LDS） and precision step-motors. A clear-water experiment was conducted with bed shear stress equal to 95% of the critical bed shear stress for the initiation of sediment motion at the undisturbed plane sand bed with a d50 of 0.26 mm. During the running experiment of 21 hours duration, measurements were taken by the LDS in different azimuthal half-planes with θ= 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 and 180° in order to study the spatio-temporal variation of geometric properties in developing scour-holes. After 21 hours, the equilibrium condition was approached, with a scour rate less than d50 per hour. Measurement of maximum scour depth in different azimuthal half-planes at different points in time during the experiment show that scour started at the cylinder side and surrounded the cylinder after about 20% of experiment time. Slopes of developing scour-holes presented three regions with different inclinations, which were attributed to vortex action. Both maximum scour depth and maximum scour radius at different azimuthal half-planes are well correlated with the maximum scour depth at plane with θ = 0°. When providing maximum scour depth at the cylinder front, the presented correlations are useful for simple calculation of scour-hole topography. This work provides an experimental database for advanced numerical simulation for loose sediment hydraulics.     

Experimental investigation on scour topography around high-rise structure foundations

The current study aims to investigate the characteristics of scour topography around High-Rise Structure Foundations(HRSFs)via physical modeling tests.Clear-water scour tests with a uniform non-cohesive bed are modeled under the action of unidirectional steady flows.Time variations of the erosion and deposition topography are measured.The results show that deposition downstream of the first dune behind the HRSF is not located on the centerline of the wake.The deposition pattern indicates that a long steady wake region exists behind the permeable foundation.The scour depth around an HRSF is much less than that around a monopile because of the structural permeability,which gives rise to the bleed flow and a weakened downflow and horseshoe vortex.Additionally,the asymmetry of the HRSF affects the scour rate but not the final equilibrium scour depth.The average scour slope decreases along the direction of the flow.On the contrary,the scour radial distance increases along the direction of the flow,with the average value changing from 1.36De to 2.35De(where De is the equivalent diameter of the foundation).Furthermore,the scour hole around the HRSF is serrated rather than smooth owing to the presence of multiple piles.Empirical formulae are suggested for estimating the evolution of scour depth and volume.These laboratory experiments provide reference information for relevant numerical modeling studies and can be applied to guide engineering designs in an ocean area.     

Numerical modeling of local scour of non-uniform graded sediment for two arrangements of pile groups

A three-dimensional(3D) non-hydrostatic numerical model is established to investigate local scour around four aligned circular piles in uniform and non-uniform sediment mixtures and to provide information for improving scour countermeasures design. In the current study, unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes(URANS) equations along with a Re-normalization Group(RNG) k-ε model were applied to simulate the flow field. A non-uniform sediment transport model was applied to estimate the bedload tran...     

Modeling and calculation of bed score around large-diameter vertical cylinder under wave action

The results of studying the scour of bed composed of fine and coarse sand around models of large-diameter vertical cylinder under the effect of regular waves are presented. Comparison of the results of experiments with fine and coarse sand showed essential qualitative and quantitative distinctions between the two cases. The results of experiments with coarse sand were used to derive, for the first time, a formula for the estimation of the score depth, including two similarity criteria—the sediment motion factor (SM-factor), and Keulegan-Carpenter number. This formula is applicable to both the engineering analysis of the scour depth of gravel bed or protective riprap by crashed rock or fine stone and the approximate prediction of the scour depth of sand bed around structures under real storm conditions. The conditions for correct modeling of wave scour around structures with large horizontal dimensions are considered and the irrelevance of modeling such scour with the use of fine-sand models is demonstrated.     

Flow fields around tandem and staggered piers on a mobile bed

An experimental investigation on flow fields within the scour holes upstream and downstream of circular piers positioned in tandem and staggered arrangements is reported and compared with isolated piers on mobile beds with uniform sediment. The instantaneous bed elevations and instantaneous three dimensional (3D) velocities were measured using a 5 MHz Ultrasonic Ranging system and 16 MHz micro down looking acoustic Doppler velocimeter, respectively. The velocity and flow depth were measured at different locations under near equilibrium bed scour conditions. The measured 3D velocities were processed for the computation of flow parameters, such as velocity fields, streamline patterns, vorticity fields, and circulation. Furthermore, turbulence intensities, turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds shear stresses, and bed shear stresses around the piers for all three pier configurations were computed from the detrended velocity signals to identify significant differences in the flow parameters and turbulence in the tandem and staggered pier arrangements as compared to those for an isolated pier. A recirculation zone was found near the bed in front of the rear pier in the tandem case from the streamline patterns. The vortices in the bi-vortex system were observed to be opposite to each other in the gap between the three piers in the staggered case. A strong secondary vortex also was observed apart from the primary vortex at the foot of the pier (θ = 0°) in all the three configurations. The strength of the horseshoe vortex (combination of primary and secondary vortices) was found to be higher at the front piers of the staggered arrangement as compared to those of the tandem piers, followed by the isolated pier. The bed shear stresses were found to be higher for the staggered piers than for the tandem piers in the direction of flow (θ = 0°). However, a 50% reduction in the bed shear stresses was observed behind the tandem piers at θ = 180°. The study reported in this paper provides the foundation for further investigation of countermeasures against local scour around tandem and staggered bridge piers on a mobile bed with non-uniform sediment.     

Modelling time varying scouring at bed sills

In this paper a modelling approach is presented to predict local scour under time varying flow conditions. The approach is validated using experimental data of unsteady scour at bed sills. The model is based on a number of hypotheses concerning the characteristics of the flow hydrograph, the temporal evolution of the scour and the geometry of the scour hole. A key assumption is that, at any time, the scour depth evolves at the same rate as in an equivalent steady flow. The assumption is supported by existing evidence of geometrical affinity and similarity of scour holes formed under different steady hydraulic conditions. Experimental data are presented that show the scour hole development downstream of bed sills due to flood hydrographs follow a predictable pattern. Numerical simulations are performed with the same input parameters used in the experimental tests but with no post‐simulation calibration. Comparison between the experimental and model results indicates good correspondence, especially in the rising limb of the flow hydrograph. This suggests that the underlying assumptions used in the modelling approach are appropriate. In principle, the approach is general and can be applied to a wide range of environments (e.g. bed sills, step‐pool systems) in which scouring at rapid bed elevation changes caused by time varying flows occurs, provided appropriate scaling information is available, and the scour response to steady flow conditions can be estimated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Splitter plate as a flow-altering pier scour countermeasure

Results of an experimental study on the countermeasure of scour depth at circular piers are presented. Experiments were conducted for pier scour with and without a splitter plate under a steady, uniform clear-water flow condition. The results of pier scour without splitter plate were used as a reference. Different combinations of lengths and thicknesses of splitter plates were tested attaching each of them to a pier at the upstream vertical plane of symmetry. Two different median sediment sizes (d ₅₀ = 0.96 and 1.8 mm) were considered as bed sediment. The experimental results show that the scour depth consistently decreases with an increase in splitter plate length, while the scour depth remains independent of splitter plate thickness. In addition, temporal evolution of scour depth at piers with and without a splitter plate is observed. The best combination is found to be with a splitter plate thickness of b/5 and a length of 2b. Here, b denotes the pier diameter. An empirical formula for the estimation of equilibrium scour depth at piers with splitter plates is obtained from a multiple linear regression analysis of the experimental data. The flow fields for various combinations of circular piers with and without splitter plate including plain bed and equilibrium scour conditions were measured by using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter. The turbulent flow fields for various configurations are investigated by plotting the velocity vectors and the turbulent kinetic energy contours on vertical and horizontal planes. The splitter plate attached to the pier deflects the approach flow and thus weakens the strength of the downflow and the horseshoe vortex, being instrumental in reducing the equilibrium scour depth at piers. The proposed method of pier scour countermeasure is easy to install and cost effective as well.     

Coherent structure dynamics and sediment particle motion around a cylindrical pier in developing scour holes

Recent investigations on the dynamics of the turbulent horseshoe vortex system (THV) around cylindrical piers have shown that the rich coherent dynamics of the vortical structures is dominated by low-frequency bimodal fluctuations of the velocity field. In spite of these advances, many questions remain regarding the changes of the flow and sediment transport dynamics as scour progresses. In this investigation we carry out laboratory experiments to register the development of the scour hole around a cylindrical pier in a fine-sand bed (d ₅₀ = 0.36 mm). We use the bathymetry measured in the experiment to simulate the flow field employing the detached-eddy simulation approach (DES), which has shown to resolve most of the turbulent stresses around surface-mounted obstacles. From these simulations we compare the dynamics of the THV to the flat-bed case, and analyze the effects on particle transport and sediment flux using the Lagrangian particle model of Escauriaza and Sotiropoulos (2011b) to study the impact of the changes of the flow on the sediment dynamics.     

Particle image velocimetry evaluation of flow-altering countermeasures for local scour around a submerged circular cylinder

The effect of scour countermeasures on the mechanism of local scour around a cylinder requires clarification in order to develop design methodology for use in practice. Previous investigations on countermeasure performance, though useful, have not provided adequate measurements to support this understanding. In the present investigation, particle image velocimetry(PIV) measurements were acquired at several streamwise-vertical planes in the flow field surrounding a submerged circular cylinder wit...     

Scour patterns around isolated vegetation elements

The complex multi-directional interactions between hydrological, biological and fluvial processes govern the formation and evolution of river landscapes. In this context, as key geomorphological agents, riparian trees are particularly important in trapping sediment and constructing distinct landforms, which subsequently evolve to larger ones. The primary objective of this paper is to experimentally investigate the scour/deposition patterns around different forms of individual vegetation elements. Flume experiments were conducted in which the scour patterns around different representative forms of individual in-stream obstructions (solid cylinder, hexagonal array of circular cylinders, several forms of emergent and submerged vegetation) were monitored by means of a high-resolution laser scanner. The three dimensional scour geometry around the simulated vegetation elements was quantified and discussed based on the introduced dimensionless morphometric characteristics. The findings reveal that the intact vegetation forms generated two elongated scour holes at the downstream with a pronounced ridge. For the impermeable form of the plant, the scour got localized, more deposition was detected within the monitoring zone, and the distance between the obstruction and deposition zone became shorter. It is also shown that with the effect of bending and the subsequent decrease of the projected area of the plant and the increase of bulk volume, the characteristic scour values decrease compared to the intact version, and the scour zone obtains a more elongated form and expands in the downstream direction.     

Clear-water scour around semi-elliptical abutments with armored beds

Experimental study has been carried out under a clear-water scour condition to explore the local scour around semi-elliptical model bridge abutments with armor-layer bed, compared with the local scour process around semi-circular abutment. Two types of model bridge abutments, namely semi-elliptical and semi-circular abutments have been used in this experimental study. The model abutments had a ratio of streamwise length of abutment to the length of abutment transverse to the flow of 2 for semi-circular abutments and 3 for semi-elliptical abutments. In total, 50 Experiments have been designed and conducted under different flow conditions such as bed shear velocities, flow depth, and dimensions of bridge abutment model, as well as grain size of the bed material. Based on these experiments, the scour process around bridge abutments has been assessed. The dependence of the equilibrium scour depth of the scour hole on hydraulic variables has been studied. Empirical equation describing the equilibrium scour depth of the scour hole around bridge abutments has been developed.     

Numerical modeling of scour and deposition around permeable cylindrical structures

Flow past wall-mounted cylindrical structures is commonly encountered in natural rivers where piers of bridge crossings or vegetation stalks are common within channels.In the current study,the influence of cylindrical structures on flow/bathymetric alterations for three different permeabilities is explored via two-dimensional numerical modeling.In model construction processes,the structure permeability is varied with the surface void ratio along the perimeter of the cylinder,i.e.the density of e...     

Experimental assessment and prediction of temporal scour depth around a spur dike

Spur dikes are river training structures that have been extensively used worldwide for towards enhancing flood control and the stability of embankments and riverbanks.However,scour around spur dikes can be a major problem affecting their stability and hydraulic performance.The precise computation of temporal scour depth at spur dikes is very important for the design of economical and safe spur dikes.This study focuses on experimentally assessing the temporal variation of scour depth around a vertical wall spur dike and identifying the parameters,which mostly influence spur dike performance for a channel bed surface comprised of sand-gravel mixtures.In the current study,the authors did physical experiments in a flume based study to obtain new data,aimed at deriving a new predictive model for spur dike scour and comparing its performance to others found in the literature.It was found that the dimensionless temporal scour depth variation increases with an increase in(i)the threshold velocity ratio,(ii)the densimetric Froude number of the bed surface sediment mixture,(iii)the flow shallowness(defined as the ratio of the approach flow depth,y,to the spur dike’s transverse length,l),and(iv)the flow depth-particle size ratio.It is also concluded that the temporal scour depth variation in the sediment mixture is influenced by the non-uniformity of sediment and decreases with an increase in the non-uniformity of the sediment mixture.A new mathematical model is derived for the estimation of temporal scour depths in sand-gravel sediment mixtures.The proposed equation has been calibrated and validated with the experimental data,demonstrating a good predictive capacity for the estimation of temporal scour depth evolution.     

Experimental study on scour and flow field in a scour hole around a T-shape spur dike in a 90° bend

In this paper results of experimental study on scour and flow field around a T-shape spur dike in a 90 degree channel bend are presented. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory channel to measure the variations of bed topography under a clear water condition. The three dimensional flow field was measured by an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter in a scour hole due to a T-shape spur dike. It was found that by increasing the Froude number and length of spur dike the amount of scour increases. Increasing the wing length of spur dike decreases the scour. The amount of scour at the upstream of spur dike is much more as compare to that at the downstream of spur dike. By increasing the wing length of spur dike the zone of flow separation expands. As a result the sizes of vortex increase. Details of flow field are also addressed in the paper.     

Analytical approach for predicting local scour downstream of submerged sluice gate with an apron

A new analytical method was evaluated for predicting scour profile downstream of a submerged sluice gate with an apron. The differential equations between bed Shear stress and Scour profile Curvature(SSC model) were utilized to predict the scour profile in both temporal and equilibrium stages. A jet momentum flux was considered as an external source of erosion on a hypothetical particle ring as the boundary between the flow and sediment bed. The scour length and sediment resistance factor were t...     

Experimental study on local scour around single oblong pier fitted with a collar in a 180 degree flume bend

In this work, investigation on the development of local scour around an oblong pier in a 180 degree flume bend is presented. Scour hole can cause failure of the bridge especially during the river floods. In this study, the use of oblong collars for reducing the effects of local scour at a bridge pier is presented together with the time aspect of the scour development. Tests were conducted using one oblong pier in positions of 60degree under one flow conditions. The study was conducted using a physical hydraulic model operated under clear-water conditions in cohesionless bed material. In this study, the time development of the local scour around the oblong pier fitted with and without collar plates was studied. Investigated was the effect of size and elevation collar on the time development of scour and its efficacy at preventing scour at a bridge pier. The time development of the scour hole around the model pier with and without a collar installed was compared with similar studies on bridge piers. The results of the model study indicated that the maximum depth of scour is highly dependent on the experimental duration. It was observed that, as the minimum depth of scour occurs for the square collar at width of 3B placed at elevation of 0.1B below the bed and the size of a collar plate increases, the scour decreases. Measuring depth of scouring based on experimental observation, an empirical relation is developed with regression coefficient 95%.