Single and twin ship propeller jets produce scour holes with deposition dune. The scour hole has a maximum depth at a particular length downstream within the propeller jet. Existing equations are available to predict maximum scour depth and the corresponding scour length downstream. Experiments conducted with various physical propeller models, rotational speeds, propeller-to-propeller distances and bed clearances are presented. The measurements allowed a better understanding of the mechanism of temporal scour and deposition formation for scour caused by single-propeller and twin-propeller. Results show that the propeller jet scour profiles can be divided into three zones, which are the small scour hole, primary scour hole and deposition dune. An empirical 2D scour model is proposed to predict the scour profile for both a single-propeller and twin-propeller using a Gaussian normal distribution.

The scouring by a tidal turbine is investigated by using a joint theoretical and experimental approach in this work. The existence of a turbine obstructs a tidal flow to divert the flow passing through the narrow channel in between the blades and seabed. Flow suppression is the main cause behind inducing tidal turbine scouring, and its accelerated velocity is being termed as tip-bed velocity (V_tb). A theoretical equation is currently proposed to predict the tip-bed velocity based on the axial momentum theory and the conservation of mass. The proposed tip-bed velocity equation is a function of four variables of rotor radius (r), tip-bed clearance (C), efflux velocity (V₀) and free flow velocity (V_∞), and a constant of mass flow coefficient (C_m) of 0.25. An experimental apparatus was built to conduct the scour experiments. The results provide a better understanding of the scour mechanism of the horizontal axis tidal turbine-induced scour. The experimental results show that the scour depth is inversely proportional to tip-bed clearance. Turbine coefficient (K_t) is proposed based on the relationship between the tip-bed velocity and the experimental tidal turbine scour depth. Inclusion of turbine coefficient (K_t) into the existing pier scour equations can predict the maximum scour depth of a tidal turbine with an error range of 5–24%.

This research paper proposes the use of empirical equations to estimate the temporal maximum scour that is induced by twin-propeller ( ${\mathsf{\epsilon }}_{twin}={\mathsf{\Omega }}_t{\left[ln\left(t\right)\right]}^{{\mathsf{\Gamma }}_t}$ ) when acting over non-cohesive bed materials. A purpose built experimental apparatus is used to obtain the measurement data required for the calculation of the empirical constants. The output from rigorous experimental investigations demonstrates that the maximum scour depth produced from the operation of twin-propeller ( ${\mathsf{\epsilon }}_{twin}$ ), within the confines of a harbour basin, varies as a logarithmic function of time. A dimensional analysis of the standard single propeller configuration is used as the foundation upon which the scour equation is postulated. This is extended to include the influence of the operating distance between the twin-propeller configurations for the first time. The division of scours by twin-propeller and single-propeller ( ${\mathsf{\epsilon }}_{\mathit{twin}}/{\mathsf{\epsilon }}_m$ ) enables the establishment of mathematical relation to calculate C₁, C₂, A, and B. The constants are $C_1$ = 366.11, $C_2$ = 0.3376, A = 0.859, and B = 0.1571. The proposed scour equation is more reliable within the time zone up to two hours based on the experimental data.

Scour induced by a Darrieus-type tidal current turbine was investigated by using a joint numerical and experimental method with emphasis on the scour process of a full-scale turbine. This work proposes a new numerical method to estimate turbine scour developments, followed by model validation through experimental data in the initial stage. The small-scale numerical model was further extended to a full-scale model for the prediction of turbine scour. The numerical model consists of (1) k- $\omega$ turbulence closure, (2) a sediment transport model, and (3) a sediment slide model. The transient-state model was coupled with a morphologic model to calculate scour development. A dynamic mesh updating technique was implemented, enabling the autoupdate of data for the grid nodes of the seabed at each time step. Comparisons between the numerical results and the experimental measurements showed that the proposed model was able to capture the main features of the scour process. However, the numerical model underestimated about 15–20% of the equilibrium scour depth than experimental data. An investigation of the temporal and spatial development of seabed scour around a full-scale Darrieus-type tidal current turbine is demonstrated. This work concludes that the proposed numerical model can effectively predict the scour process of tidal current turbines, and the rotating rotor has a significant impact on the equilibrium scour depth for full-scale turbines.

The temporal evolution of seabed scour was investigated to prevent damage around a monopile foundation for Darrieus-type tidal current turbine. Temporal scour depths and profiles at various turbine radius and tip clearances were studied by using the experimental measurements. Experiments were carried out in a purpose-built recirculating water flume associated with 3D printed turbines. The scour hole was developed rapidly in the initial process and grew gradually. The ultimate equilibrium of scour hole was reached after 180 min. The scour speed increased with the existence of a rotating turbine on top of the monopile. The findings suggested that monopile foundation and the rotating turbine are two significant considerations for the temporal evolution of scour. The scour depth is inversely correlated to the tip-bed clearance between the turbine and seabed. Empirical equations were proposed to predict the temporal scour depth around turbine. These equations were in good agreement with the experimental data.