Study on experimental and flow simulation for new scour protection measure

Bridges serve as vital arteries of modern transportation networks, playing a pivotal role in economic development and regional connectivity. However, these critical infrastructures face persistent threats from extreme hydrodynamic conditions, where powerful scour can compromise safety. This study introduces novel curved surface protective measures, conducts flow simulation and anti-scouring experiments, which is significant implications for the safety of cross-sea bridges. Results demonstrate that when the normal curved surface diameter exceeds three times the pier diameter, it reduces the downflow velocity by 30% and near-bed turbulent intensity by 45% compared to unprotected conditions, while effectively preventing local scour at both the inner and outer edges of the curved surface. The streamlined geometry effectively diminishes horseshoe vortex intensity. In addition, scour protection experiments revealed that the protection efficiency of the normal curved surface is directly proportional to its width. Increasing the diameter can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of flow contraction around the pier foundation, thereby reducing sediment transport and scour in the vicinity. Based on comprehensive experimental and numerical modeling results, and considering both protection cost and efficiency, this study recommends that the optimal diameter for the normal curved-surface protection device should be maintained within 3 to 3.9 times the pier diameter.