Characteristics of Parameters for Local Scour Depth around Submarine Pipelines in Waves

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of parameters for local scour depth around submarine pipes due to waves. Because it is impossible to consider all the factors that influence the scour, it is reasonable to investigate the correlations between parameters and scour. The experimental works about scour were performed for the conditions of 40, 60, 90 m pipe diameter, various wave periods, and wave height in the case of horizontal bed and 1/10 slope bed, respectively. Analyzing the results of experiments, the Reynolds number, Shields parameter, Keulegan-Carpenter number, Ursell number, and Modified Ursell number were estimated. The correlations between the relative scour depth, which is the maximum equilibrium local scour depth divided by the pipe diameter, and 5 parameters were analyzed. It was shown that there was hardly any correlation with the Reynolds number. In the case of a horizontal bed, the Keulegan-Carpent number had the highest correlation, but in the case of the slope bed the correlation was greatly reduced. The modified Ursell number showed a high correlation regardless of the type of bed.