Effect of particle size on flip bucket scour

Abstract

This study quantifies the dimensionless maximum scour depth d(s)/D-50 downstream of flip buckets as a function of the square of the densimetric Froude number Fr-d(2), jet Reynolds number Re, lip angle, and sediment non-uniformity constant. The proposed formula is valid for Fr-d = 2.9-29.69, Re = 8.9 x 10(3)-4.2 x 10(5), and We > 32. Moreover, the scour profiles for different sediment sizes (D-50 = 3-17 mm) are presented from the Kigi Dam physical model and the effect of the Reynolds number on scour process is discussed. The prediction capacity of the proposed formula is compared with the existing empirical formulas in the literature and it is shown that the proposed dimensionally homogenous formula made better estimations. The procedure described here has a sound physical basis and it can be used to estimate the maximum scour depth downstream of flip buckets.