Numerical Modeling of Bridge Piers Scouring Flow Patterns

Abstract

Numerical models, compared to the physical models, provide real-scale predictions and are cost-effective. However, the reliability of the numerical results depends on how the governing equations are mathematically solved. This paper summarizes details of a numerical model, developed under the scope of the study of bridge piers local scour, which can be applied in different river engineering applications. The paper reports applications of the numerical model, namely the prediction of the turbulent flow behavior around (i) a single bridge pier, (ii) a compound pier (a circular pier on a circular foundation) and (iii) a complex bridge pier (a pile-supported pier) on a scoured bed: Case (i) and (iii) at the equilibrium stage and case (ii) at an intermediate stage of the local scour hole development process. The corresponding numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained from referenced experimental and numerical data. Further, concerning the complex bridge pier case, the study results go beyond the background knowledge available for this case.