Numerical Study of Local Scour around Tripod Foundation in Random Waves

Abstract

In this study, the local scour around tripods in random waves is numerically investigated. The seabed-tripod-fluid numerical model with an RNG k−ε turbulence model is built and validated. Following that, the scour characteristics and flow velocity distribution are analyzed using the present numerical model. Finally, a revised stochastic model is proposed to predict the equilibrium scour depth, Seq, around tripods in random waves. The results indicate that the present seabed-tripod-fluid numerical model is capable of depicting the scour process and of capturing the flow field around tripods with high accuracy. Due to the blockage effects of the main column and structural elements, there is enhanced flow acceleration underneath the main column and the lower diagonal braces, which increases the turbulence intensity and seabed shear stress, causing more particles to be mobilized and transported, resulting in more severe scour at the site. The revised stochastic model shows the best agreement with the numerical and experimental results when n = 20, but more experimental data and numerical results are still needed to verify the adaptation of the revised stochastic model for larger Keulegan–Carpenter (KC) number conditions (KCrms,a > 4).