Author(s): Chitrangini Sahu; Ti Eldho

Linked Author(s): CHITRANGINI SAHU

Keywords: Turbulence Characteristics; Circular pier; Pier group; Plane rigid bed; PIV

Abstract: This paper investigates the flow hydrodynamics in the vicinity of a group of circular piers. As scour is known to be the major reason for bridge failure, finding a countermeasure that results in less turbulence and hence less scour is very essential. Replacing a huge single pier with a group arrangement of piers having smaller diameters will cause less obstruction to the flow, resulting in less turbulence in the vicinity. Experiments were performed with four circular piers arranged in a square shape for face-to-face gap G varying from D to 3D, where D is the pier diameter. Instantaneous velocity data are collected using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). In this study, turbulence was explained in terms of parameters such as mean velocities, turbulence intensities, and turbulent kinetic energy for different gaps between piers. Results obtained from the experimental data suggest that the total turbulence significantly reduces for G = 2D as compared to G = D. Piers start acting as individual pier in the range of gap between 2D and 3D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022335

Year: 2022