Numerical investigation structural protection measures for riverbank due to flood flow-driven damage

Area of Science:

• Hydraulic engineering
• Riverine geomorphology
• Computational fluid dynamics

Background:

• Riverbanks are vulnerable to flood flow-driven damage, particularly downstream of spillways.
• Structural protection measures are essential for mitigating erosion and ensuring infrastructure integrity.
• Understanding near-bank flow dynamics is critical for designing effective riverbank stabilization strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hydraulic performance of different structural protection measures on riverbanks.
• To assess the impact of submerged groynes, detention zones, and concrete lining on flood flow characteristics.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of these measures in reducing near-bank velocity, vortex formation, and impact loads.

Main Methods:

• A three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was utilized.
• Simulations were conducted for a case study on the downstream river of Cua Dat spillway.
• Three structural approaches were analyzed: submerged groynes with varying height ratios, detention zones, and concrete lining.

Main Results:

• Submerged groynes redirect high-velocity flow, but lower submergence (R=1.04) increases impact forces significantly.
• Detention zones and concrete lining combination effectively reduces flood risk at vulnerable zones and bridges.
• Near-bank hydraulic characteristics like vortex flow, velocity, and impact load were quantified for each measure.

Conclusions:

• Excavating detention zones and applying concrete lining offers a robust solution for riverbank stabilization.
• The study provides practical insights for designing effective structural measures in high-risk spillway environments.
• Optimizing structural interventions is key to mitigating flood-induced damage and protecting infrastructure.