Analysis of a three-dimensional numerical modeling approach for predicting scour processes in longitudinal walls of granular bedding rivers

Abstract

In rivers, longitudinal walls are protective structures that are directly supported on the riverbank are frequently used as hydraulic prevent the current from eroding the bank and causing scouring. However, these structures have the potential to block flow and produce erosive processes that progressively worsen scour in their area, leading to faulting and other problems. The current study used Flow-3D software to understand the scour process at the base of longitudinal walls in rivers with a well-graded granular bed. Experimental data from a physical model replicating a river with a longitudinal wall and a well-graded granular bed were used to validate the model. The investigation examined the average flow velocity and its effects on scour behavior along the longitudinal wall using the Flow-3D program. The findings showed that the Flow-3D model could improve the evaluation of debugging processes, because it provided a useful answer that closely matched the experimental data derived from the physical model. Validation with a 0.07 m mesh demonstrated that the Flow-3D model could faithfully simulate the scour process along the longitudinal wall. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the Flow-3D software can be a useful tool for predicting the scouring process in rivers with well-graded granular beds and longitudinal walls. This is particularly important for engineers and researchers who are interested in designing and optimizing hydraulic structures to mitigate the effects of scouring, because it provided a useful answer that closely matched the experimental data derived from the physical model