Numerical Simulation of the Influence of Water Flow on the Piers of a Bridge for Different Incidence Angles

Abstract

A two-dimensional mathematical model is used to simulate the influence of water flow on the piers of a bridge for different incidence angles. In particular, a finite volume method is used to discretize the Navier-Stokes control equations and calculate the circumferential pressure coefficient distribution on the bridge piers' surface. The results show that the deflection of the flow is non-monotonic. It first increases and then decreases with an increase in the skew angle. KEYWORDSBridge pier; water flow simulation; impact resistance; flow field around flow; model; fluid mechanics IntroductionAfter the bridge is built in a natural river, due to the compression and interference of the bridge piers on the water flow, a series of changes near the bridge location can occur. Due to the partial water blocking effect of the pier, the flow velocity upstream of the dock slows down, and the water level is high as a result. Its impact on the upstream and downstream involves the flood control safety of the dams on both sides of the bank, nearby cities, as well as factories and mines. The water flow structure at the bridge pier is more complicated [1]. On the front side of the bridge pier, the water flows down and flows around on both sides to form a horseshoe-shaped vortex on the bed surface. The boundary layer around the piers separates to create a wake vortex. Furthermore, small vortices are released from the bed surface behind and on both sides of the pier. In addition, many factors cause local water flow changes in bridge piers.