Numerical Investigation of Effect of Bridge Pier Shape on Dynamic Forces

The flow around bluff bodies is a subject of much concern to several researchers. The pier shape effects on flow pattern, vorticities and shedding in the wake region and corresponding fluid forces acting to bridge piers. There are fewer studies about appropriate shape of pier to reduce dynamic forces. In this research, two dimensional water flow around different common shapes of pier was simulated using FLUENT at Reynolds number 2×105, and the effect of pier shape on the drag and lift coefficients was studied. Also drag and lift forces in the case of the inclined pier subjected to flow was studied. The main object of research is obtaining the appropriate shape for reducing cross forces. Finally the investigation showed that rectangular pier with round and sharp nose in the case of round side flow had better performance in both straight and inclined flow and less dynamic forces.