EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LOCAL SCOUR PROCESS AROUND PILE-SUPPORTED TIDAL STREAM TURBINE

Liang Zhichao; Wei Maoxing; Pan Jiajia

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0009

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5) : 438-443. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0009

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LOCAL SCOUR PROCESS AROUND PILE-SUPPORTED TIDAL STREAM TURBINE

Liang Zhichao¹, Wei Maoxing¹, Pan Jiajia²

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Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the local scour process around a pile-supported tidal stream turbine. The research examines the temporal evolution of scour patterns, comparing turbine-induced scour with traditional monopile scour, while analyzing the distinct contributions of structural components （pile, nacelle, and rotor） to the overall scouring process. Results reveal that the initial scour development around the turbine exhibits accelerated profile evolution and depth progression compared to later stages. The turbine-induced scour depth exceeds that of the monopile during the early phase of the process, though this difference diminishes over time. At equilibrium, the maximum scour depth around the turbine approaches that of an equivalent-diameter monopile, reaching approximately 110% of the monopile scour depth. Notably, the turbine configuration generates a larger downstream sediment mound formation, attributed to the energy extraction process which reduces the flow's momentum and consequently diminishes its sediment transport capacity.

Key words

tidal power / pile foundations / scouring / tidal stream turbines / local scour / scour profile

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Liang Zhichao, Wei Maoxing, Pan Jiajia. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LOCAL SCOUR PROCESS AROUND PILE-SUPPORTED TIDAL STREAM TURBINE[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(5): 438-443 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0009

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