Change in flow field next to riprap sloping structure caused by variability of scoured bathymetry

One approach to scour protection for bridge piers is constructing riprap sloping structure around the pier. To maintain its designated function, riprap must remain stable throughout the service life of the bridge, often exceeding 100 years and thus being vulnerable to more extreme hydrological events driven by climate change. The riprap sloping structure increases the size of the recirculation zone and turbulence downstream compared to a single pier. This paper presents the results of a detailed investigation of flow field dynamics over the scoured riverbed downstream of the riprap sloping structure. The research combines flume experiments with a physical model and numerical simulations using FLOW-3D software calibrated with experimental data measured with an acoustic Doppler velocimetry profiler, Vectrino ADVP. Investigating the complexities of the flow field resulting from the presence of riprap and interactions between the flow and scour development is essential for enhancing the design and performance of riprap structures in various hydraulic conditions. The results show that the change in scour geometry over time influences the flow direction in the zone downstream of the pier.

 

References

[1]    Gilja, G.; Fliszar, R.; Harasti, A.; Valyrakis, M. Calibration and Verification of Operation Parameters for an Array of Vectrino Profilers Configured for Turbulent Flow Field Measurement around Bridge Piers—Part I. Fluids 2022, 7, 315. https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids7100315

[2]    Gilja, G.; Fliszar, R.; Harasti, A.; Valyrakis, M. Calibration and Verification of Operation Parameters for an Array of Vectrino Profilers Configured for Turbulent Flow Field Measurement around Bridge Piers—Part II. Fluids 2023, 8, 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids8070199

 

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported in part by the Croatian Science Foundation under the project R3PEAT (UIP-2019-04-4046)