Numerical Modeling of Wave and Current Induced Scour

This thesis investigates local scour around a vertical pile under steady current and regular waves using the REEF3D::CFD solver. The model couples RANS (k–ω), a level-set free surface, and a morphodynamic sediment module. Validation is performed against two benchmarks: scour under current and scour...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Azarm, Paymaneh
Tipo de recurso: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/456235
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/456235
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Hydraulic structures--Erosion
Sediment transport
local scour
waves and currents
numerical wave tank
REEF3D
Estructures hidràuliques--Erosió
Sediments (Geologia)--Transport
Descripción
Sumario:This thesis investigates local scour around a vertical pile under steady current and regular waves using the REEF3D::CFD solver. The model couples RANS (k–ω), a level-set free surface, and a morphodynamic sediment module. Validation is performed against two benchmarks: scour under current and scour under waves. The aims are to reproduce the time history and near-equilibrium scour depth, quantify grid needs, and assess a reduced-length numerical wave tank (NWT). Under current, simulations match the observed growth and final profile; a near-bed spacing of about 0.75 cm is adequate. Under waves, both a 28m and a 4.4m NWT are tested; dx = 0.02m gives the best wave quality. The reduced tank reproduces S/D(t) and the final depth with comparable accuracy at much lower cost. A Keulegan–Carpenter study (KC = 3, 6.5, 18) shows that larger KC accelerates early scour and deepens the near-equilibrium hole, with signs of saturation at high KC. Overall, REEF3D gives credible predictions, and the short NWT enables efficient parametric studies.