Investigation of Local Scour Process Around Pipelines Using the Numerical and Physical Models

In this paper, the local scour process around pipelines due to steady currents has been investigated from different points of view using the numerical and physical models. In order to calculate the maximum scour depth under the pipe, a mathematical model based on the two-dimensional Laplace equation has been developed and the scour process on the 2D x-z vertical plane has been simulated, with the finite volume method being used to discretize the governing equation. In the developed numerical model, an equivalent boundary calculated using the Newton-Raphson iteration method, has been used to determine the deformed bed profile due to scour resulting from the subjected forces on the sediment particles on sea bed. In the physical models, emphasis has been focused on the effects of different parameters such as pipe diameter, water depth, velocity of flow and the interaction of the parallel pipes on local scour process. Finally, the numerical model results have been compared with the results obtained from the physical model and the other experimental data.