Numerical study of pile group effect on wave-induced seabed response

Wave-induced seabed response around pile foundations affects the seabed stability, thereby threatening the structure safety, and numerous studies have been performed to explore the wave-structure-seabed interaction (WSSI) around mono-pile. However, little attention has been paid to WSSI around pile groups. In the present study, based on an integrated model, WSSI around three-pile group is numerically examined, and the effects of wave obliquity, pile diameter, pile spacing and embedment depth are parametrically explored. In this model, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with k-ε turbulence model and Biot's quasi-static (QS) model for poro-elastic medium are adopted to govern the wave motion and seabed response, respectively. The results reveal that the effects of wave obliquity and pile diameter are significant, whereas the influences of pile spacing and embedment depth are negligible.