Numerical Modeling of Flow Field around Bridge Pier with Compound Geometry

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Scour generation and its development around bridge piers are the main causes of bridges damage and failure.
Understanding the scour mechanism is essential to predict the scour and equilibrium scour hole status around bridge
piers. In the recent decades, the use of compound bridge piers instead of the simple piers in construction of bridges, has
been developed. In this study, using the FLOW-3D software, process of the formation and development of the scour
around bridge pier with compound geometry has been investigated. Numerical results obtained from this model were
compared with available experimental data. The results showed that this model had the capability to predict the threedimensional
flow field and could effectively provide a better understanding of the experimental studies. The results also
indicated the complexity of turbulent flow near pile cap so that these flows were deflected in all directions. On contrary
to the simple pier, in which the positive maximum velocity occurred in the sides of pier, in the case of piers with
compound geometry this velocity occurred in the center of the pier and downstream of the pile cap.

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Main Subjects


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