3D Numerical Simulation of Scour Depth Evolution Around Bridge Piers

Due to the three- dimensional flow pattern interacting with bed material, the process of local scour around bridge piers is complex. Many former studies have been carried out to develop relationship for estimation of maximum scour depth under clear and live bed scour in steady flow condition. Also some studies focus on numerical modeling of scouring around bridge piers in steady flow condition. It must be noted that a few studies available for assessing the scour depth occurring under a flood hydrograph. The previous results show that the maximum scour depth occurring under a flood hydrograph can be much smaller than the calculated value using peak flow discharge. In this study, the evolution of scour depth has been computed numerically by SSIIM program. The main strength of SSIIM compared to other CFD programs is the capability of sediment transport with moveable bed in complex geometry. The experimental data of previous researchers were used for calibration and validation of SSIIM model. The comparison of results with experimental data shows the capability of numerical simulation for assessing the time dependent scour depth around bridge piers. Also the results show that the K-ω turbulence model give better results than the other turbulence models for simulation of scouring development.