2D axisymmetrical numerical modelling of the erosion of a cohesive soil by a submerged turbulent impinging jet

Abstract

This study focuses on 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical modelling of the erosion of a cohesive soil by a circular impinging turbulent jet. Initially, the model is validated in the case of a non erodible flat plate. Several turbulence models are compared to experimental results and to simplified formulas available in the literature. The results obtained show that the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) is in good agreement with the semi-empirical results in the literature. Nonetheless, the RSM cannot be used with successive remeshings, due to its convergence issues. The shear stress at the wall is well-described by the k–ε model while the pressure is better-described by the k–ω model. The numerical model of erosion is based on adaptive remeshing of the water/soil interface to ensure the good precision of the mechanical values at the wall. The two erosion parameters are the critical shear stress and the erosion coefficient. The results obtained are compared with the semi-empirical model interpreting the Jet Erosion Test. The k–ε model underestimates the shear stress and does not allow simulation of the entire erosion process, whereas the results obtained with the k–ω model agree well with the semi-empirical model and experimental data. A study of the influence of erosion parameters on erosion kinetics and scouring depth shows that the shape and depth of scouring are influenced solely by the critical shear stress while the duration of scouring depends on both erosion parameters. Further research is nonetheless required to better understand the erosion mechanisms in the stagnation zone.