Numerical Simulation of the Influence of Spur Dikes Spacing on Local Scour and Flow

The spacing of spur dikes is an important consideration for the layout of spur dike channels. This study focuses on the local scour morphology and flow field characteristics of spur dikes with different spacings. The results show that the maximum scour depth is generally found in the vicinity of the first spur dike head. With the increase of the spacing of spur dikes, the shielding effect of the first spur dike is weakened. The maximum velocity in the main flow zone is twice that of the approach flow velocity in the fixed bed. But it is approximately the same as the incoming velocity in equilibrium scouring. The maximum turbulent energy appears to be mainly located in the backflow area of the fourth spur dike in the fixed bed, while the maximum value appears at the second spur dike head in the movable bed. Further, the shear stress decreases as scouring develops. Pearson correlation analysis was carried out between scour depth and shear stress. The analysis results are significantly correlated, indicating that the bed shear stress plays a prominent role in the scouring process. These discoveries can serve as a guide to determine the most reasonable spacing of spur dikes.