Multi-directional irregular wave forces acting on a tandem pile group

Abstract

In this study, the interactions between multi-directional irregular waves and a tandem pile group are experimentally investigated. A systematic statistical analysis of the force coefficients of the pile group and the wave force on a tandem pile group under multi-directional waves is first carried out. The results show that the wave force of the pile group is significantly affected by the wave directionality. Further, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are used to establish a 3D numerical wave tank by considering the interactions between the waves and the pile groups, and this is verified by using experimental data. The characteristics of the wave force on the first and the last pile in the tandem pile group were numerically examined. The flow field around the front first pile was affected by its rear pile such that the pressure at its rear increased. However, without the rear pile, the pressure difference between the upward and rearward zone of the last pile significantly increased compared with that of the first pile, and this caused the wave force of the last pile to be larger than that of the first pile.