CFD Simulation of Local Scouring Around Bridge Pier

Abstract

The threat of local scour around bridge piers has been in research for many years. According to the various studies, local scour around the bridge pier is the prime cause for most of the bridge failures. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the flow behavior and the scour phenomenon around the bridge piers of various shapes namely Circular, Elliptical, Square and Streamlined. Local scouring depends on various factors like depth of flow, upstream flow conditions, pier shape and dimensions. Here, we have taken only pier shape as the primary factor and kept other factors constant. The numerical simulations were even carried out using CFD- Fluent, Eulerian multiphase model, k–epsilon turbulence model, to elaborate the physics behind the scour formation. CFD simulation tool can be used for wide understanding of the flow behavior around the bridge piers even without physical model studies because it saves time and money as compared to experimental studies. Three dimensional simulation of flow behavior around four pier shapes indicates that the streamlined pier is the most efficient pier to use as it allows the flow to pass smoothly around it creating less obstruction to the flow and hence creating less chances of local scouring near the pier toe.