Numerical simulations of flow inside a stone protection layer with a modified k-w turbulence model

A numerical model is developed to investigate the flow in porous media, for the purposes of simulating scour protection around coastal and offshore structures. In the present model, the Volume-Averaged Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (VARANS) equations are solved, coupled with the volume-averaged k-w turbulence closure. The volume-averaged k-w equations are derived by taking the spatial average of the standard k-w equations. The unknown coefficients caused by the averaging procedure are determined by large eddy simulation (LES). The developed model is validated against existing experimental results of flow in stone covers under both oscillatory and steady current conditions. A gradual transition of porosity towards unity at the interface between the porous media and the free flow is assumed in the simulation to fit the irregular interface in practical engineering. In the presence of parabolic porosity variation at the interface, the calculated velocity profile, bed shear stress, and turbulent fluctuations inside the porous medium are compared to measurements. The numerical results match well against the experimental data. Comparison with the volume-averaged k-epsilon turbulence model shows that the volume-averaged k-w turbulence model provides more accurate flow behavior within the porous media.