Determining propeller scour near a quay wall

Abstract

In recent years, seabed scouring caused by propeller jet flow impact, its resulting structural and environmental effects, and the increase in the use of powerful engines with the introduction of new types of ships with large-sized bows and main thrusters have become major issues. Consequently, there is a need for an accurate method to investigate scour formations and a protection method near berth structures caused by the propeller jet flow of a ship. The objective of this study was to examine the local scour caused by propeller wash in front of a quay wall as a closed-type berth structure. In the equilibrium (final) state, the maximum scour depth at the toe of the quay wall, as one of the primary dimensions of the scour, was investigated under different propeller gaps, propeller speeds, and distances from the propeller face. In addition, the time-dependent variation of the scour profiles was examined, and a new empirical equation was proposed for the determination of the scour depth at the toe of a quay wall.