Three-dimensional numerical simulation of local scour around circular bridge pier using Flow-3D software

Abstract

The problem of local scouring around circular bridge pier has been studied numerically by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using Flow-3D model to represent the evolution of local scour and the maximum depth of the scour hole which is important in the bridge pier design. The aim of this study is to verify the ability of the numerical simulation model Flow-3D to accurately simulate and predict the scour depth around the bridge pier. This verification is conducted by comparison the numerical results with Melville laboratory experimental model. The maximum scours depth around the circular pier obtained from numerical results after 30 min is 3.6 cm, while the scouring depth obtained from Melville model is 4 cm. According to these results, the error rate ratio between the numerical and experimental models is close to 10%. The results showed a good validation with experimental results. Finally, the proposed Flow-3D model considered an effective tool in predicting and simulating the scour depth around bridge pier and considered an economic method to predict potential results.