Objective A spur dike is an in-stream structure that is widely employed for the protection of riverbank erosion. In river engineering, traditional regulating structures exhibit certain limitations, such as occupying large areas, requiring significant quantities of stone, being difficult to maintain, and involving high construction costs, which make them unsuitable for use in some regions. Therefore, scholars propose the application of floating dike structures in river regulation engineering. These structures exhibit advantages such as minimal impact on sediment transport, improved adaptability to upstream water and sediment discharge, and reduced impact on the riverbed and ecological environment. However, research on the effects of floating dikes on flow structure and the riverbed remains insufficient, and the understanding of their practical application is limited. Considering practical application, ships are used as substitutes for floating dikes; therefore, this structure is also referred to as a ship-shaped floating dike. This study focuses on the effects of the submergence ratio (D is submergence depth/water depth), length ratio (K is ship length/river width), arrangement angle (θ > 0 indicates the dike oriented downstream), and transverse bed slope at the location of the ship-shaped floating dike on the surrounding flow field and turbulence characteristics. The findings provide a hydrodynamic basis for further understanding the influence of ship-shaped floating dikes on sediment transport and riverbed evolution, as well as technical support and reference for their application in practical river engineering projects. Methods This study investigated the influence of geometric characteristics, including submergence depth and ship length, as well as arrangement parameters, including ship angle and transverse bed slope, of ship-shaped floating dikes on the surrounding flow field and turbulence structure, with the objective of identifying the optimal arrangement configuration. The same flume dimensions (length is 1.4 m, width is 0.3 m, and height is 0.05 m) and simulation conditions as those used in the physical model experiments were adopted to enhance the reliability of the numerical model. The RNG k‒ε turbulence model was employed to simulate the flow structure around the ship-shaped floating dike. Considering the negligible variation in the water surface, the rigid-lid assumption was applied, with a constant inlet velocity and free outflow conditions at the outlet. The velocity-pressure coupling equations were solved using the semi-implicit SIMPLE algorithm. Results and Discussions The numerical simulation results for velocity distribution and Reynolds shear stress across different longitudinal sections were consistent with those obtained from physical experiments, confirming the reliability of the numerical model. The three-dimensional flow structure and turbulence kinetic energy distribution were analyzed by considering variations in the submergence ratio (D), length ratio (K), arrangement angle (θ), and transverse bed slope (SL) of the ship-shaped floating dike. The numerical results were verified against experimental observations. The results demonstrated that: 1) As D increased from 0.2 to 0.8, the maximum relative streamwise velocity below the ship-shaped floating-dike (SSFD), defined as the ratio of local maximum flow velocity/inlet average flow velocity (U/U0max), gradually increased, from 1.52 to 1.69. The length of the back-flow area and U/U0max increased from 1.0L to 3.5L (L is the length of SSFD) and from ‒0.35 to ‒0.51. Increasing D also intensified near-bed flow velocity and enhanced turbulence intensity downstream of the SSFD. 2) As K increased, the effective flow-passed cross-section decreased, resulting in increased flow velocity below and outside the SSFD. The area of the back-flow and low-velocity zones expanded with increasing K, whereas the length and intensity of the back-flow region remained nearly unchanged. Turbulence kinetic energy gradually increased and formed a concentrated core region near the bottom and downstream of the SSFD. 3) When the SSFD was tilted upward with θ = ‒30º, a strong blocking effect was observed, with U/U0max upstream of the SSFD reduced to 0.4, while near the shore and bottom of the SSFD, U/U0max = 1.53, which was less than θ = 30º with U/U0max = 1.63, but both were less than θ=0 with U/U0max = 1.72. The distribution of the slow-flow zone behind the SSFD was larger when θ = ‒30º. When θ = 30º, the flow remained relatively stable, characterized by weak turbulence kinetic energy, and localized acceleration zones and circulation structures developed downstream of the SSFD. When the SSFD was positioned on the deeper side of the channel, the flow concentrated beneath the structure, resulting in an intensified back-flow region. The transverse slope of the riverbed enhanced downstream circulation. The results indicated that the SSFD achieved optimal slow-flow and sedimentation promotion effects when it was arranged on the deeper side, tilted downward, with a submergence ratio 0.4 and a length ratio 0.5. Conclusions The geometric dimensions and spatial arrangement of the ship-shaped floating dike, along with the transverse bed slope, play a significant role in influencing the surrounding hydrodynamic characteristics and turbulence structure. As an innovative river regulation structure, the ship-shaped floating dike exhibits advantages including the formation of a stable slow-flow zone downstream of the dike, well-developed secondary circulation, and minimal disturbance to the bottom flow field, which collectively contribute to favorable ecological compatibility. These findings provide valuable technical support and practical reference for the application of ship-shaped floating dikes in river regulation engineering projects.
HaiderR, IqbalS, AbbasF M,et al.CFD analysis of flow dynamics around the series of dikes with alternative length layout[J].Natural Hazards,2025,121(7):8241‒8260. doi:10.1007/s11069-025-07117-2
[2]
GuJie, LiMengling.Experimental study on the influence of a spur dike on flow characteristics in bend channel[J].Chinese Journal of Hydrodynamics,2018,33(6):786‒793. doi:10.16076/j.cnki.cjhd.2018.06.016
MaB, DongF, PengW Q,et al.Evaluation of impact of spur dike designs on enhancement of aquatic habitats in urban streams using 2D habitat numerical simulations[J].Global Ecology and Conservation,2020,24:e01288. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01288
[5]
KangS, LeeJ, KimY,et al.Experimental and numerical study on the flow characteristics around spur dikes at different length-to-depth ratios[J].Advances in Water Resources,2023,175:104428. doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2023.104428
[6]
XuWei, ZhaoJinyong, WangQi,et al.Study on habitat improvement of typical reaches of Hanjiang River based on ecological spur dike group construction technology[J].Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering,2021,52(12):35‒46.
JeonJ, LeeJ Y, KangS.Experimental investigation of three-dimensional flow structure and turbulent flow mechanisms around a nonsubmerged spur dike with a low length-to-depth ratio[J].Water Resources Research,2018,54(5):3530‒3556. doi:10.1029/2017wr021582
[9]
KangS, KhosronejadA, YangXiaolei.Turbulent flow characteristics around a non-submerged rectangular obstacle on the side of an open channel[J].Physics of Fluids,2021,33(4):045106. doi:10.1063/5.0042914
[10]
DivyaT, LawA W, ChongT H,et al.Effect of floodplain submergence and riparian vegetation on flow dynamics and mass transport near a spur dike[J].Physics of Fluids,2025,37(7):076647. doi:10.1063/5.0277309
[11]
PandeyM, ValyrakisM, QiMeilan,et al.Experimental assessment and prediction of temporal scour depth around a spur dike[J].International Journal of Sediment Research,2021,36(1):17‒28. doi:10.1016/j.ijsrc.2020.03.015
[12]
MehraeinM, SchleissA J, GoodarziM.The effects of a spur dike location in a 90° sharp channel bend on flow field:Focus on anisotropy degree and anisotropy nature[J].Journal of Hydro-Environment Research,2023,48:15‒30. doi:10.1016/j.jher.2023.05.001
[13]
YuTao, WangPingyi, ChenLi,et al.Local scour of spur dike in unsteady flow[J].Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition),2014,46(3):31‒36.
HuJielong.Hydraulic characteristics of a new permeable spur dike and its effect on fish behavior[D].Chongqing:Chongqing Jiaotong University,2021.
[16]
胡杰龙.新型透水丁坝水力特性及其对鱼类行为影响研究[D].重庆:重庆交通大学,2021.
[17]
AkbarZ, PashaG A, TanakaN,et al.Reducing bed scour in meandering channel bends using spur dikes[J].International Journal of Sediment Research,2024,39(2):243‒256. doi:10.1016/j.ijsrc.2024.01.001
[18]
IqbalS, PashaG A, GhaniU,et al.Flow dynamics around permeable spur dike in a rectangular channel[J].Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering,2021,46(5):4999‒5011. doi:10.1007/s13369-020-05205-y
[19]
MaoLiang, LiYujian, ZhouZhengping,et al.Numerical simulation on influence factors of flow and sediment diversion of permeable sheet piling spur dike[J].Yangtze River,2021,52(9):216‒222. doi:10.16232/j.cnki.1001-4179.2021.09.035
GuZupeng, AkahoriR, IkedaS.Study on the transport of suspended sediment in an open channel flow with permeable spur dikes[J].International Journal of Sediment Research,2011,26(1):96‒111. doi:10.1016/s1001-6279(11)60079-6
[22]
LiuMingyang, LiYong, WangRui,et al.Application of ecological spur dike repairing schizothorax prenanti spawning ground[J].Journal of Sichuan University(Engineering Science Edition),2014,46(3):37‒43.
ChangLiuhong, ZhangFujun, WangHanrui,et al.Impact of local erosion and sedimentation evolution of trapezoidal hollow spur dike on benthic animal communities[J].Water Resources Protection,2023,39(5):170‒177. doi:10.3880/j.issn.1004-6933.2023.05.020
WanYu, HuangGuiquan, DuHongbo,et al.Effects of waterway regulation structures on the planktonic community in the Upper Yangtze River[J].Ecological Indicators,2023,155:111049. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111049
[27]
HuangWei, NiYufang, CreedM,et al.Experimental analysis of 3D flow structures around a floating dike[J].Water,2023,15(4):703. doi:10.3390/w15040703
[28]
HuangWei, QianHonglu, YuSihan,et al.Experimental study on the 3D flow structures around the floating dike[J].Hydro-Science and Engineering,2023(5):35‒44. doi:10.12170/20211217001
CaiYing, XieXuelun, HuangGuobing.Research and practice of pontoon-type floating row applied in front of Three Gorges Dam to remove floating debris[J].Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute,2016,33(10):63‒66.
PalA, SoodD H.Floating bridges:A comprehensive historical review[J].International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology,2023,11(11):215‒221. doi:10.22214/ijraset.2023.56474
[33]
DuanWengang, HuangGuobing, ZhangHui,et al.Experimental research on vortexes eliminating of several typical hydraulic intakes[J].Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute,2011,28(2):21‒27. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-5485.2011.02.004
JinZhefei, ZhangJinfeng, ZhangQinghe,et al.Study on numerical model of hydrodynamics of mooring line floating breakwater under wave actions[J].The Ocean Engineering,2021,39(1):21‒31. doi:10.16483/j.issn.1005-9865.2021.01.003
ChenYongkun, LiuYong, MeringoloD D,et al.Study on the hydrodynamics of a twin floating breakwater by using SPH method[J].Coastal Engineering,2023,179:104230. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2022.104230
[38]
WuShixian, SunPengnan, ZhouMinli,et al.Experimental study on a new floating breakwater with openings,arc-shaped wings,and plates[J].Physics of Fluids,2024,36(7):077166. doi:10.1063/5.0214969
[39]
ZaghloulN A.Local scour around spur-dikes[J].Journal of Hydrology,1983,60(1/2/3/4):123‒140. doi:10.1016/0022-1694(83)90017-3
[40]
GuZhenghua, CaoXiaomeng, JiaoYueteng,et al.Appropriate CFD models for simulating flow around spur dike group along urban riverways[J].Water Resources Management,2016,30(13):4559‒4570. doi:10.1007/s11269-016-1436-1
[41]
BaiYuchuan, LiBin, XuHaijue,et al.Rectifying analysis of multi-herringbone diversion piers scheme for large span pumping station in forebay[J].Water Resources and Power,2019,37(6):75‒79.
HanXun, LinPengzhi, ParkerG.Numerical modelling of local scour around a spur dike with porous media method[J].Journal of Hydraulic Research,2022,60(6):970‒995. doi:10.1080/00221686.2022.2106589
[44]
BaiJing, FangHongwei, HeGuojian.Study of non-submerged groin turbulence flow in a shallow open channel by les[J].Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics,2013,45(2):151‒157. doi:10.6052/0459-1879-12-309
WeiWenli, GuoYangyang, ZhangZewei,et al.Hydraulic characteristics of straight and T-shape spur dikes in 60° channel bend by numerical simulation[J].Journal of Hydroelectric Engineering,2017,36(9):91‒99. doi:10.11660/slfdxb.20170910
ZhangYan, WuYiping, CuiPengyi,et al.Numerical simulation for the effect of spur dike lengths on the hydraulic characteristics of the bend[J].Journal of Water Resources and Water Engineering,2019,30(1):164‒170.
FerzigerJ, PerićM.Computational methods for fluid dynamics[M]//Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Computing.New York:Springer,2023.
[51]
TsengC Y, TinocoR O.Canopy randomness,scale,and stem size effects on the interfacial transfer process in vegetated flows[J].Water Resources Research,2024,60(3):e2023WR035220. doi:10.1029/2023wr035220