Numerical Simulation of Scour Hole Backfilling in Unidirectional Flow
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 7
Abstract
The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver FANS3D [Finite-Analytic Navier-Stokes code for three-dimensional (3D) flow] is coupled with a sediment transport model to simulate scour hole backfilling under unidirectional flows (current-only). FANS3D solves 3D, unsteady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in nonstaggered, general curvilinear coordinate systems. For the present study, the model is used for turbulence closure. The overset grid technique is utilized to generate the computational domain consisting of multiple blocks with different structures. The coupled model is validated with both clear-water and live-bed scour experiments. The numerical solution is also verified to be consistent against changes in time step size and grid density. Backfilling is initiated by first obtaining the equilibrium scour under a “flood” and then reducing the approach velocity to a “normal” flow, both of which conditions are in a live-bed scour regime. Using this approach, backfilling is successfully simulated around a cylindrical pier with three different hydrographs (variable velocity). The backfilled scour hole is compared with the equilibrium scour hole formed under normal flow (constant velocity). This study found that a given unidirectional flow velocity results in the same equilibrium scour depth regardless of the initial bed morphology. The location of the maximum depth inside the scour hole is also found to be a characteristic of the flow velocity.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request, including the flow solution and grid files generated during the simulation.
Acknowledgments
This investigation was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The computational resources were provided by Texas A&M High Performance Research Computing Facility.
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Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 7 • July 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 28, 2021
Accepted: Jan 29, 2022
Published online: May 9, 2022
Published in print: Jul 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Oct 9, 2022
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