Streamlining of Bridge Piers as Scour Countermeasures

2015 ◽  
Vol 2521 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhong Li ◽  
Junliang Tao

Bridge scour is one of the most critical causes of bridge failure. Existing scour countermeasures either passively prevent the development of scour holes by stabilizing the critical shear zone or actively reduce the turbulence intensity in the vicinity of the pier surface. This paper proposes streamlining of the bridge pier as an option to reduce turbulence intensity actively in the local zone and thus decrease overall local scour potential. The effect of the curvature of the pier cross section was evaluated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. To reduce computational cost, two-dimensional CFD simulations were conducted to model the flow fields around test cases having different pier cross sections. Simulation results were systematically analyzed and compared to evaluate the effect of streamlining on the flow field. The cross section that resulted in the smallest value of the maximum bed shear stress was selected as the optimal cross section for the subsequent three-dimensional (3-D) study, which investigated the vortex structures around the pier. Results from this 3-D simulation were compared with those from two other test cases, in which piers had cross-section shapes that are commonly seen in practice. The pier model with the optimal cross section was found to significantly reduce the downward velocity in front of the piers, the maximum bed shear stress, and the overall scour potential. These findings are expected to inform the design of optimal streamlined piers for newly proposed bridges, which could diminish the overall scour potential around piers.

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-375
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Li ◽  
Jiansi Yang ◽  
Bingxuan Guo ◽  
Hua Liu ◽  
Jun Hua

Currently, for tunnels, the design centerline and design cross-section with time stamps are used for dynamic three-dimensional (3D) modeling. However, this approach cannot correctly reflect some qualities of tunneling or some special cases, such as landslips. Therefore, a dynamic 3D model of a tunnel based on spatiotemporal data from survey cross-sections is proposed in this paper. This model can not only playback the excavation process but also reflect qualities of a project typically missed. In this paper, a new conceptual model for dynamic 3D modeling of tunneling survey data is introduced. Some specific solutions are proposed using key corresponding technologies for coordinate transformation of cross-sections from linear engineering coordinates to global projection coordinates, data structure of files and database, and dynamic 3D modeling. A 3D tunnel TIN model was proposed using the optimized minimum direction angle algorithm. The last section implements the construction of a survey data collection, acquisition, and dynamic simulation system, which verifies the feasibility and practicality of this modeling method.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1423
Author(s):  
Amir Golpira ◽  
Fengbin Huang ◽  
Abul B.M. Baki

This study experimentally investigated the effect of boulder spacing and boulder submergence ratio on the near-bed shear stress in a single array of boulders in a gravel bed open channel flume. An acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to measure the instantaneous three-dimensional velocity components. Four methods of estimating near-bed shear stress were compared. The results suggested a significant effect of boulder spacing and boulder submergence ratio on the near-bed shear stress estimations and their spatial distributions. It was found that at unsubmerged condition, the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and modified TKE methods can be used interchangeably to estimate the near-bed shear stress. At both submerged and unsubmerged conditions, the Reynolds method performed differently from the other point-methods. Moreover, a quadrant analysis was performed to examine the turbulent events and their contribution to the near-bed Reynolds shear stress with the effect of boulder spacing. Generally, the burst events (ejections and sweeps) were reduced in the presence of boulders. This study may improve the understanding of the effect of the boulder spacing and boulder submergence ratio on the near-bed shear stress estimations of stream restoration practices.


Author(s):  
Laura Galuppi ◽  
Gianni Royer-Carfagni

Prandtl's membrane analogy for the torsion problem of prismatic homogeneous bars is extended to multi-material cross sections. The linear elastic problem is governed by the same equations describing the deformation of an inflated membrane, differently tensioned in regions that correspond to the domains hosting different materials in the bar cross section, in a way proportional to the inverse of the material shear modulus. Multi-connected cross sections correspond to materials with vanishing stiffness inside the holes, implying infinite tension in the corresponding portions of the membrane. To define the interface constrains that allow to apply such a state of prestress to the membrane, a physical apparatus is proposed, which can be numerically modelled with a two-dimensional mesh implementable in commercial finite-element model codes. This approach presents noteworthy advantages with respect to the three-dimensional modelling of the twisted bar.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampa ◽  
Yuji Hasegawa ◽  
Hajime Nakagawa ◽  
Hiroshi Takebayashi ◽  
Kenji Kawaike

This paper focuses on finding efficient solutions for the design of a highly permeable pile spur (or slit type) dike field used in morphologically dynamic alluvial rivers. To test the suitability of different arrangements of this type of permeable pile spur dike field, laboratory experiments were conducted, and a three-dimensional multiphase numerical model was developed and applied, based on the experimental conditions. Three different angles to the approach flow and two types of individual pile position arrangements were tested. The results show that by using a series of slit-type spurs, the approach velocity of the flow can be considerably reduced within the spur dike zone. Using different sets of angles and installation positions, this type of permeable spur dike can be used more efficiently than traditional dikes. Notably, this type of spur dike can reduce the longitudinal velocity, turbulence intensity, and bed shear stress in the near-bank area. Additionally, the deflection of the permeable spur produces more transverse flow to the opposite bank. Arranging the piles in staggered grid positions among different spurs in a spur dike field improves functionality in terms of creating a quasi-uniform turbulence zone while simultaneously reducing the bed shear stress. Finally, the efficacy of the slit-type permeable spur dike field as a solution to the riverbank erosion problem is numerically tested in a reach of a braided river, the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River, and a comparison is made with a conventional spur dike field. The results indicate that the proposed structure ensures the smooth passing of flow compared with that for the conventional impermeable spur structure by producing a lower level of scouring (low bed shear stress) and flow intensification.


2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Jiang ◽  
Vikas Thondapu ◽  
Eric K. W. Poon ◽  
Peter Barlis ◽  
Andrew S. H. Ooi

Incomplete stent apposition (ISA) is one of the causes leading to poststent complications, which can be found when an undersized or an underexpanded stent is deployed at lesions. The previous research efforts have focused on ISA in idealized coronary arterial geometry with circular cross section. However, arterial cross section eccentricity plays an important role in both location and severity of ISA. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are carried out to systematically study the effects of ISA in arteries with elliptical cross section, as such stents are partially embedded on the minor axis sides of the ellipse and malapposed elsewhere. Overall, ISA leads to high time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) at the proximal end of the stent and low TAWSS at the ISA transition region and the distal end. Shear rate depends on both malapposition distance and blood stream locations, which is found to be significantly higher at the inner stent surface than the outer surface. The proximal high shear rate signifies increasing possibility in platelet activation, when coupled with low TAWSS at the transition and distal regions which may indicate a nidus for in-stent thrombosis.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2753
Author(s):  
Liyuan Zhang ◽  
Faxing Zhang ◽  
Ailing Cai ◽  
Zhaoming Song ◽  
Shilin Tong

Bed shear stress is closely related to sediment transport in rivers. Bed shear stress estimation is very difficult, especially for complex flow fields. In this study, complex flow field measurement experiments in a 60° bend with a groyne were performed. The feasibility and reliability of bed shear stress estimations using the log-law method in a complex flow field were analyzed and compared with those associated with the Reynolds, Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE), and TKE-w′ methods. The results show that the TKE, Reynolds, and log-law methods produced similar bed shear stress estimates, while the TKE-w′ method produced larger estimates than the other methods. The TKE-w′ method was found to be more suitable for bed shear stress estimation than the TKE method, but the value of its constant C2 needed to be re-estimated. In a complex, strong, three-dimensional flow field, the height of the measurement point (relative or absolute) should be re-estimated when a single point measurement is used to estimate the bed shear stress. The results of this study provide guidance for experimental measurement of bed shear stress in a complex flow field.


2020 ◽  
Vol 307 ◽  
pp. 01047
Author(s):  
Gohar Shoukat ◽  
Farhan Ellahi ◽  
Muhammad Sajid ◽  
Emad Uddin

The large energy consumption of membrane desalination process has encouraged researchers to explore different spacer designs using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for maximizing permeate per unit of energy consumed. In previous studies of zigzag spacer designs, the filaments are modeled as circular cross sections in a two-dimensional geometry under the assumption that the flow is oriented normal to the filaments. In this work, we consider the 45° orientation of the flow towards the three-dimensional zigzag spacer unit, which projects the circular cross section of the filament as elliptical in a simplified two-dimensional domain. OpenFOAM was used to simulate the mass transfer enhancement in a reverse-osmosis desalination unit employing spiral wound membranes lined with zigzag spacer filaments. Properties that impact the concentration polarization and hence permeate flux were analyzed in the domain with elliptical filaments as well as a domain with circular filaments to draw suitable comparisons. The range of variation in characteristic parameters across the domain between the two different configurations is determined. It was concluded that ignoring the elliptical projection of circular filaments to the flow direction, can introduce significant margin of error in the estimation of mass transfer coefficient.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiraga ◽  
Popek

Numerous approaches in sediment mobility studies highlighted the key meaning of channel roughness, which results not only from bed material granulation but also from various bed forms presence, caused by continuous sediment transport. Those forms are strictly connected with the intensity of particle transport, and they eventuate from bed shear stress. The present paper comprised of local scours geometric dimensions research in three variants of lengthwise development of laboratory flume in various hydraulic properties, both in “clear-water” and “live-bed” conditions of sediment movement. Lots of measurements of the bed conformation were executed using the LiDAR device, marked by a very precise three-dimensional shape description. The influence of the bed shear stress downstream model on scours hole dimensions of water structure was investigated as one of the key factors that impact the sediment transport intensity. A significant database of 39 experimental series, lasting averagely 8 hours, was a foundation for delineating functional correlations between bed shear stress-and-critical shear stress ratio and geometry properties of local scours in various flume development cases. In the scope of mutual influence of bed shear stress and water depth, high correlation coefficients were attained, indicating very good and good functional correlations. Also, the influence of bed shear stress and the total length of the scour demonstrated a high correlation coefficient.


Author(s):  
Navid Sharifi ◽  
Majid Sharifi

Thermo-compressors are among the most important facilities in thermal desalination systems. Such devices are compressing and recycling the useless vapors and hence effectively enhancing the efficiency of desalination units. Since the connection between the evaporator box and suction surface is not perfectly symmetric, it is necessary to consider the effect of this curved path on pressure loss at the inlet boundary. In this study, a numerical procedure is developed to achieve reliable results in thermo-compressors through using CFD simulations. Two approaches are examined: axisymmetric and full three-dimensional method. The results are compared and the deviations of velocity, pressure and temperature are evaluated in both methods. The flow pattern in the steam collector is investigated afterwards. The distributions of velocity and pressure through this canal are illustrated and the critical point where pressure loss originates is revealed. In the meantime, the effect of this non-symmetric path on the flow is compared with the axisymmetric results. Finally, it is shown that the influence of the curved-shape inlet on flow properties is insignificant such that it can be neglected, because the flow swirl at the inlet is very negligible. Therefore, the axisymmetric model is capable of producing reliable results for thermo-compressors in a more advantageous way with a simpler mesh generation and reduced computational cost.


Author(s):  
M. Mohammad Beigi Kasvaei ◽  
M. H. Kazeminezhad ◽  
A. Yeganeh-Bakhtiary

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of regular waves passing over cylindrical monopile has been conducted to investigate the vortex dynamics. To do so the rectangular wave flume and monopile is modeled on a solver, available in the open-source CFD toolkit OpenFOAM®. The solver applied RANS equations with VOF method for tracking free surface. Model validation has been done by comparison numerical results with the experimental ones and admissible agreement has been seen. Computations have been done for three cases with different pile diameters consequently for different Keulegan-Carpenter numbers (KC). The vorticity field around the pile was investigated as well as vortices by means of Q criterion. It was seen that by increasing KC number, horseshoe vortices will be formed and vortex shedding will be happened. Moreover, Bed shear stress around the pile has been extracted and it has been seen that, the bed shear stress is influenced by KC value which result of existence of horseshoe vortices and vortex shedding.


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