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Abstract

Tidal stream energy has attracted more and more attentions of researchers and engineers of coastal studies in recent years, as it is renewable, predictable and environmentally friendly. Although many efforts have been made for the application of tidal stream energy, the scouring process in the vicinity of a pile-supported tidal stream turbine remains unclear. This study develops a mathematical model, consisting of hydrodynamic module, General Moving Object (GMO) module and sediment scour module, to numerically investigate the fluidstructure interaction and its induced sediment scour process around such a combined structure. Only a steady current is considered in the model, and the numerical model is verified by comparing with the well-documented physical experiments. The flow becomes extremely complicated after interacting strongly with the blades of tidal stream turbine, and a large area with low-velocity is formed behind the structures. The scouring process is very strong in the early stage, and it takes place with an asymmetrical pattern behind the pile foundation. Lower installation elevation of turbine leads to a stronger scour, while a stronger incoming velocity results in a wider area of seabed scour.

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