Numerical Analysis of the Effect of an Inner Structure of a Cubic Frame Reef on Flow Field

Abstract

AbstractArtificial reefs have been deposited along the coastline of China for over 30 years. The purpose of artificial reef construction is to form a changeable and complicated flow field that can promote the water exchange of different layers and attract more fish and marine organisms, and the structure of artificial reefs plays a decisive role in these processes. However, the research on the hydrodynamic character of artificial reefs has primarily focused on improving their size or shape. The guide plate has a significant effect on the flow field effect of the cubic reef, which has been confirmed in previous studies. In this article, guide plates were extended to the interior of the cubic reef and finally form an inner structure consisting of four isosceles triangles and right triangles. The flow field effect of the inner structure is numerically simulated by the orthogonal design method. Results indicate that the inner structure creates a significant disturbance on the flow field. A crossed design of hole diameters on plates contributes to the formation of upwelling and extension of the wake region. The flux of upwelling in the different planes indicates that the flow of upwelling is strong above the upwelling reef and has a remarkable effect. This study provides a scientific reference for the structural design of artificial reefs.