Investigation on scouring and turbulence characteristics around T-head spur dike

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, different geometrical configurations of T-head spur dikes, such as spur dike length (l = 6, 9, and 12 cm), wing length (λ = 0.5, 0.75 l, and l), and wing orientation (θ = 60°, 90°, and 120°) are used to investigate the local scour. The T-head spur dike with l = 9 cm, λ = l, and θ = 90° is found as the optimum configuration. The turbulent kinetic energy flux in the vertical direction is positive in the non-scour zone and negative in the scour zone with a higher magnitude, resulting in the transport of turbulent energy towards the bed that leads to scouring. The sweep events dominate against the ejection events in the scour zones, but in the non-scoured zone, it is the opposite. A regression equation was developed to estimate the scour depth around the spur dike, and satisfactory results were obtained.