Scale Model Study of Propeller Induced Scour Development

Abstract

This chapter describes the experimental setup and preliminary results of a scale model study (1:16) aiming at the investigation of the temporal evolution of propeller jet induced scours. Time series of scour depth and geometry from experiments carried out with the stern of a barge equipped with two different propulsion systems, a Kaplan propeller in Kort nozzle with double rudder and a Wageningen B-series propeller with central rudder, respectively, are presented. The time series are used to validate the experimental methodology and to show the reproducibility of the experiments. The influence of the different propulsion systems on scour depth and geometry is discussed. The preliminary results are used to highlight the need for a more accurate description of the near bed propeller jet flow field.© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.