Numerical study of scouring downstream of a stilling basin

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to numerically investigate the scouring phenomenon downstream of a stilling basin for a wide range of Froude number and size of bed material. The numerical model was first verified. The results obtained from the numerical model concerning the maximum depth and profiles of the scoured hole were in agreement with the long-term experimental data. Thereupon, the verified numerical model was employed to simulate the profile of the scour hole for various Froude numbers and bed material sizes downstream of the stilling basin. According to the results of the numerical model as well as experimental data, it was revealed that by using dimensionless scour depth, the upstream profile of the scour hole is independent of time and size of the material. Results show that the bottom of the scour hole in the oscillating jump is of greater length than the steady jump. Moreover, both the numerical and available experimental data were used to propose a relationship for calculation of long-term maximum scour depth in a wide range of affecting parameters.