Numerical analysis of local scour downstream of a spillway

The Ogee crested spillway has become one of the most researched hydraulic structures due to its excellent hydraulic features and versatility, Generally hydraulic structures are always subject to scouring effects within and around their foundations or downstream of the spillway. In an attempt to improve upon the evaluation of scouring characteristics downstream of the spillway an Ogee spillway, this experiment aims to explain the numerical simulation of an already existing physical experimental set up that evaluated scouring characteristics in terms of scouring depth and scouring length, taking into consideration the flowrate, tail water depth and bed material as the fundamental independent variables. Thus, the experiment was conducted was virtually as model within the Flow3D computer software, results were obtained and then compared to that of the physical experiment. According to the scouring results acquired from the CFD numerical simulation, the scouring characteristics clearly notably increased the downstream of the spillway, discharge flow rate and tail water depth, The size and shape of bed materials also have a considerable impact on local scouring of the downstream of the spillway. More scouring is typically results from bed materials with a smaller diameter than by that of a larger diameter. The results of this investigation have produced numerical figures that are accurate in estimation and within close acceptable boundaries when compared to the physical experimental study it was based on.