Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of the Scour Process in Longitudinal Walls in Rivers with Granular Bedding

Longitudinal walls are hydraulic structures that can hinder the flow in the riverbed, therefore, they are susceptible to cause erosive processes in their vicinity, generating failures and progressively increasing scour problems. The present work used three-dimensional numerical modeling through simulations in Flow-3D software, to understand the scour process generated at the base of longitudinal walls located in rivers with the granular bed. The validation of the numerical model was performed using the experimental data obtained using a physical model, establishing similar geometry and sediment conditions. The mean flow velocity and its influence on the scour behavior around the longitudinal wall were analyzed in the numerical model. The decrease in channel width due to the effect of the degree of curvature studied in the longitudinal wall produces the presence of velocity vectors that direct the streamlines towards the longitudinal wall. Finally, the Flow-3D model demonstrated that it can allow analysis for the understanding of the scour process in a granular bed where longitudinal walls are located since an effective response was obtained in the validation of the numerical model where a mesh size of 0.007m was selected.