Development of a Three-Dimensional Iterative Methodology Using a Commercial CFD Code for Flow Scouring Around Bridge Piers

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phani Ganesh Elapolu ◽  
Pradip Majumdar ◽  
Steven A. Lottes ◽  
Milivoje Kostic
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Mesh Morphing ◽  
River Bed ◽  
Scour Hole ◽  
The Stability

One of the major concerns affecting the safety of bridges with foundation supports in river-beds is the scouring of river-bed material from bridge supports during floods. Scour is the engineering term for the erosion caused by water around bridge elements such as piers, monopiles, or abutments. Scour holes around a monopile can jeopardize the stability of the whole structure and will require deeper piling or local armoring of the river-bed. About 500,000 bridges in the National Bridge Registry are over waterways. Many of these are considered as vulnerable to scour, about five percent are classified as scour critical, and over the last 30 years bridge failures caused by foundation scour have averaged about one every two weeks. Therefore it is of great importance to predict the correct scour development for a given bridge and flood conditions. Apart from saving time and money, integrity of bridges are important in ensuring public safety. Recent advances in computing boundary motion in combination with mesh morphing to maintain mesh quality in computational fluid dynamic analysis can be applied to predict the scour hole development, analyze the local scour phenomenon, and predict the scour hole shape and size around a pier. The main objective of the present study was to develop and implement a three dimensional iterative procedure to predict the scour hole formation around a cylindrical pier using the mesh morphing capabilities in the STARCCM+ commercial CFD code. A computational methodology has been developed using Python and Java Macros and implemented using a Bash script on a LINUX high performance computer cluster. An implicit unsteady approach was used to obtain the bed shear stresses. The mesh was iteratively deformed towards the equilibrium scour position based on the excess shear stress above the critical shear stress (supercritical shear stress). The model solves the flow field using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, and the standard k–ε turbulence model. The iterative process involves stretching (morphing) a meshed domain after every time step, away from the bottom where scouring flow parameters are supercritical, and remeshing the relevant computational domain after a certain number of time steps when the morphed mesh compromises the stability of further simulation. The simulation model was validated by comparing results with limited experimental data available in the literature.

Three-Dimensional Mesh Morphing Methodology for Scouring Around Bridge Piers Based on Computational Fluid Dynamic Solution

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Edwards ◽  
Steven A. Lottes ◽  
Pradip Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Angle Of Repose ◽  
Bridge Piers ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Fluid Structure ◽  
Mesh Morphing ◽  
Sediment Bed ◽  
Scour Hole ◽  
Sand Slide

Flow scour is the engineering term used to describe the erosion of a sediment bed due to fluid flow. Local scour occurs around objects placed in the path of flow, such as bridge piers and abutments. Severe damage or even failure of structures may occur if the amount of scour is too great. Due to the complexity of the fluid/structure interactions and cost of experiments, Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods are under development to predict the shape and depth of a scour hole. This study extends a previous 3-D iterative methodology, with several improvements to the scouring physics models, implemented in the commercial CFD software STAR-CCM+ to predict the scour hole formation around circular bridge piers. These improvements are inclusion of a variable critical shear stress (VCSS) for the initiation of motion of bed sediment, scouring normal to the sediment bed, and a sand slide model. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and a k-ε turbulence model are used to resolve the flow field. The methodology uses a single phase implicit unsteady approach to obtain sediment bed shear stress values. Two moving boundary relations are employed to model the erosion and sand slide physics. One for the erosion rate is based upon an empirical correlation for critical shear stress combined with a sediment entrainment function of Van Rijn, and the other uses the slope of the sediment bed, to iteratively displace the sediment bed in a way that decreases slope as long as it exceeds the angle of repose of the sediment. This is accomplished by a user defined function to move the sediment bed at each time step and the mesh morphing procedure built into STAR-CCM+ to solve fluid-structure interaction problems to stretch the existing mesh to maintain cell quality throughout the flow domain as the bed is displaced. Simulation results have been compared to experimental data found in literature. It was found that simulations over predict the maximum scour depth by up to 35%, but show a large improvement in capturing the overall shape of the scour hole in comparison to models that do not include a sand slide model.

Critical Shear Stresses of Sunken Oils

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300241
Author(s):  
Charles Watkins ◽  
Olivia Jobin ◽  
Nancy Kinner ◽  
Thomas Ballestero ◽  
Neil W. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Water Current ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Annular Flume ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of New Hampshire ◽  
Sunken Oil

As observed in several recent cases (e.g., DBL-152, Enbridge-Kalamazoo), under certain circumstances, spilled oil can sink to the bottom of a water body. Once on the bottom, the oil can move or even remobilize into the water column. The critical shear stress (CSS) is used to accurately predict the movement of sunken oil along and off the bottom. Unfortunately, shear stress has only been measured for one sunken oil (Hibernian Crude API = 34). The Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has an annular flume equipped with high-definition cameras and an acoustic velocimeter that can be used to estimate CSS by measuring the instantaneous, three-dimensional water current velocities at which sunken oils move and erode as visible oil droplets. The results reported are for an Alberta bitumen, tested at temperatures between 5° and 28°C in freshwater.

Modelling of three-dimensional flow velocities in a deep hole in the East Channel of the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1312-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahram Gharabaghi ◽  
Chris Inkratas ◽  
Spyros Beltaos ◽  
Bommanna Krishnappan
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bed Shear Stress ◽  
Mackenzie Delta ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Deep Hole ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Scour Hole ◽  
Scour Holes ◽  
The Stability

The Mackenzie River has several anomalous deep scour holes in a number of river channels in its delta. Proposed gas pipeline crossings have renewed interest in studying the stability of these scour holes. The main goal of this research project was to study flow velocity and bed shear stress distributions for a 30 m deep hole in the East Channel of the Mackenzie Delta as a first step toward assessing the stability of the scour hole and the risk of its migration during various flow conditions. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element flow model, FLUENT, using the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model (where k is the turbulent kinetic energy and ε is the turbulence dissipation rate) was set up for the scour hole and calibrated using detailed measurements of 3D flow velocities, obtained with an acoustic doppler current profiler. The numerical model was then applied to predict flow velocity and bed shear stress distributions in and around the scour hole for three flow conditions (720, 1000, and 1400 m3/s). Results indicate that two vortices are formed in the river elbow above the scour hole. As the flow rate changed, the sizes of the vortices varied. The region upstream of the hole experienced the greatest magnitudes of bed shear stress.Key words: computational fluid dynamics, finite element, bed shear stress, deep hole, flow reversal.

Three-Dimensional Scouring Analysis for Open Channel Pressure Flow Scour Under Flooded Bridge Decks

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar Rao Tulimilli ◽  
Steven A. Lottes ◽  
Pradip Majumdar ◽  
Milivoje Kostic
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Bridge Decks ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Shear Stress Distribution ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Shape And Size

A three-dimensional stream bed scour modeling methodology was developed using well-benchmarked commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to compute the bed shear stress distribution used to calculate bed displacements and to re-mesh the computational domain as the bed is displaced. This study extends a previously developed two-dimensional iterative scouring procedure to predict the final shape and size of the scour-hole under pressure-scour flow conditions for flooded bridge decks using commercial CFD software. The current approach uses single phase flow models with an assumed flat water surface using a symmetric slip top boundary to simulate a free-surface flow condition, quasi-steady simulation to obtain the bed shear, and a moving boundary formulation based on an empirical correlation for critical shear stress to iteratively deform the bed under supercritical shear conditions until an equilibrium scour condition is obtained. The model solves the flow field using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the high Reynolds number k–epsilon turbulence model using the commercial CFD software STAR-CD. A Bash script was developed to use a Python script to compute bed displacements from the computed shear stress distribution and generate a STAR-CD processor command file to displace the bed followed by a step using the STAR-CCM+ software to remesh the domain as the bed is displaced and bed shear distribution is recomputed in an iterative procedure until the equilibrium bed contour is reached. Simulations were performed for different inundation ratios and for mean sand diameters of 1 mm and 2 mm. The model agrees reasonably well with limited experimental data for equilibrium scour shape and size with fully submerged cases compared to the cases where the bridge deck is partially submerged. This developed three-dimensional CFD scour computation procedure provides a basis for testing of additional scour related physical models while also providing an evaluation tool that can be used immediately by engineers engaged in scour risk analysis and assessment.

Possible effects of the 1984 St. Clair River ice jam on bed changes

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 696-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Kolerski ◽  
Hung Tao Shen
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Bed Shear Stress ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
River Bed ◽  
Bed Changes ◽  
Large Flow ◽  
Bed Shear Stresses

This study examines the possible effect of the record ice jam of 1984 in the St. Clair River on river bed changes and conveyance. Numerical simulations were made to examine the flow and bed shear stresses during the jam formation and release periods. Simulation results indicate that the ice jam in the river did not cause a significant increase in bed shear stress compared to pre- and post-jam open water conditions. The insignificant change on bed shear stress during the ice jam period is the result of the large flow depth and the limited jam thickness. The bed shear stresses are much less than the critical shear stress for bed particle movement. This implies that the jam may not have had a significant impact on the channel conveyance.

Field evidence of resuspension in a mine tailings pond

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 796-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celestina Adu-Wusu ◽  
Ernest K Yanful ◽  
Mohammed H Mian
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Tailings Pond ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Water Cover ◽  
Solubility Of Oxygen

Flooding of tailings under shallow water covers is an effective method of decommissioning potentially acid generating mine tailings. The low diffusivity and solubility of oxygen in water are attractive features of this technology. However, wind-induced waves can resuspend flooded tailings and expose them to greater contact with dissolved oxygen, thereby increasing the potential for oxidation and acid generation. Field measurements of wind activity and waves under different water cover depths and associated resuspension for a mine tailings pond in Ontario are presented and discussed. The results show that wind speeds greater than 8 m/s above water covers that are shallower than 1 m create waves of height greater than 10 cm and bottom shear stresses greater than 0.2 Pa. Under these conditions the critical shear stress of the mine tailings was exceeded, resulting in erosion and subsequent resuspension.Key words: mine tailings, water cover, wind-induced waves, resuspension, wind speed, shear stress.

scholarly journals Shear models and parametric analysis of the PVC geomembrane-cushion interface in a high rock-fill dam

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245245
Author(s):  
Yun-Feng Liu ◽  
Ke Gu ◽  
Yi-Ming Shu ◽  
Xian-Lei Zhang ◽  
Xin-Xin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Viscous Friction ◽  
Hydraulic Pressure ◽  
Viscous Shear Stress ◽  
Box Counting ◽  
Viscous Shear ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Hysteresis Friction

As a type of flexible impermeable material, a PVC geomembrane must be cooperatively used with cushion materials. The contact interface between a PVC geomembrane and cushion easily loses stability. In this present paper, we analyzed the shear models and parameters of the interface to study the stability. Two different cushion materials were used: the common extrusion sidewall and non-fines concrete. To simulate real working conditions, flexible silicone cushions were added under the loading plates to simulate hydraulic pressure loading, and the loading effect of flexible silicone cushions was demonstrated by measuring the actual contact areas under different normal pressures between the geomembrane and cushion using the thin-film pressure sensor. According to elastomer shear stress, there are two main types of shear stress between the PVC geomembrane and the cushion: viscous shear stress and hysteresis shear stress. The viscous shear stress between the geomembrane and the cement grout was measured using a dry, smooth concrete sample, then the precise formula parameters of the viscous shear stress and viscous friction coefficient were obtained. The hysteresis shear stress between the geomembrane and the cushion was calculated by subtracting the viscous shear stress from the total shear stress. The formula parameters of the hysteresis shear stress and hysteresis friction coefficient were calculated. The three-dimensional box-counting dimensions of the cushion surface were calculated, and the formula parameters of the hysteresis friction were positively correlated with the three-dimensional box dimensions.

Measuring the onset of mine tailings erosion

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Haneef-Mian ◽  
Ernest K Yanful ◽  
Robert Martinuzzi
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Critical Shear Stress ◽  
Laser Doppler ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Cohesive Sediments ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Power Law Equation

The present study gives details of a methodology for estimating the critical shear stress for erosion of mine tailings and other naturally occurring cohesive sediments. Erosion of a cohesive sediments bed occurs when the critical shear stress is exceeded to break the interparticle bond. Experiments were conducted in a 30 cm diameter laboratory column and calibrated using laser Doppler anemometry. The results showed that the erosion pattern of mine tailings particles was similar to those of fine-grained cohesive sediments. A power-law relation of the form E = α[(τ – τcr)/τcr]n is suggested for mine tailings, where E is the erosion rate, α is a coefficient, τ is the shear stress, τcr is the critical shear stress, and n is an exponent. The computed values of α, n, and τcr in the power-law equation were found to be comparable to values derived from experiments in a rotating circular flume. The derived expression for rate of erosion may be incorporated in resuspension and transport models for fine mine tailings of a similar nature.Key words: mine tailings, laser Doppler velocimetry, wall shear stresses, critical shear stress for erosion, erosion – shear stress relationship.

scholarly journals Domain Decomposition Modified with Characteristic Mixed Finite Element and Numerical Analysis for Three-Dimensional Slightly Compressible Oil-Water Seepage Displacement

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Yirang Yuan ◽  
Luo Chang ◽  
Changfeng Li ◽  
Tongjun Sun
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Domain Decomposition ◽  
Method Of Characteristics ◽  
Mixed Finite Element ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Optimal Error Estimate ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Slightly Compressible ◽  
The Method Of Characteristics

A parallel algorithm is presented to solve three-dimensional slightly compressible seepage displacement where domain decomposition and characteristics-mixed finite element are combined. Decomposing the computational domain into several subdomains, we define a special function to approximate the derivative at interior boundary explicitly and obtain numerical solutions of the saturation implicitly on subdomains in parallel. The method of characteristics can confirm strong stability at the fronts, and can avoid numerical dispersion and nonphysical oscillation. It can adopt large-time step but can obtain small time truncation error. So a characteristic domain decomposition finite element scheme is put forward to compute the saturation. The flow equation is computed by the method of mixed finite element and numerical accuracy of Darcy velocity is improved one order. For a model problem we apply some techniques such as variation form, domain decomposition, the method of characteristics, the principle of energy, negative norm estimates, induction hypothesis, and the theory of priori estimates of differential equations to derive optimal error estimate in $l^2$ norm. Numerical example is given to testify theoretical analysis and numerical data show that this method is effective in solving actual applications. Then it can solve the well-known problem.

Study of Afterburning in Solid Rocket Booster Jet: Towards a Model for Afterburning in Large Eddy Simulations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adèle Poubeau ◽  
Roberto Paoli ◽  
Daniel Cariolle
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Direction ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Solid Rocket ◽  
Comparison Of The Results

This paper focuses on two decisive steps towards Large Eddy Simulation of a solid rocket booster jet. First, three-dimensional Large Eddy Simulations of a non-reactive booster jet including the nozzle were obtained at flight conditions of 20 km of altitude. A particularly long computational domain (400 nozzle exit diameters in the jet axial direction) was simulated, thanks to an innovative local time-stepping method via coupling multi instances of a fluid solver. The dynamics of the jet is analysed and comparison of the results with previous knowledge validates the simulations and confirms that this computational setup can be applied for Large Eddy Simulations of a reactive booster jet. The second part of this paper details the implementation of a simple method to study the hot plume chemistry. Despite its limitations, it is accurate enough to observe the various steps of the chemical mechanism and assess the effect of uncertainties of the rate parameters on chlorine reactions. It was also used to reduce the set of chemical reactions into a short scheme involving a minimum of species and having a limited impact on the physical time step of the Large Eddy Simulations.

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