Numerical Analysis of the Flow Field around Artificial Reefs

摘要

This study investigated the fluid force acting on an artificial reef and the scour pattern at the bottom of the artificial reef in a steady-flow field using the finite difference method (Flow-3D). The structure was tetragonal in shape, like similar objects found in nature. The numerical analysis showed that the hydrodynamic characteristics and incipient scouring pattern matched natural phenomena. The velocity distribution around the tetragon was symmetric and wake occurred inside the tetragon and behind the bottom of the tetragon. The length of the recirculation flow behind the tetragon for each velocity was about 4-5 cm and the magnitude of the recirculation flow inside the tetragon generally increased with the Reynolds' number, although it decreased slightly for Reynolds' numbers from 11,000 to 12,000. In addition, the total fluid force acting on the tetragon increased with the inflow velocity, although the increment was smaller when the velocity exceed 18 cm/sec. The incipient pattern for the scouring of sediment matched the natural phenomenon.