Lagrangian modeling of tidal bores passing through bridge piers

The process of tidal bore passing through bridge piers is numerically simulated in an open channel using a pure Lagrangian method, i.e. Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). Due to its “gridless” feature, SPH is intrinsically well-suited for the complex hydrodynamic simulation when the fluid encounters a structure. The behavior of bores propagation along the channel is illustrated herein and includes the bore's free surface properties and flow field, and in particular, the intricate behavior of unsteady flow during the passage of tidal bore. The generation of shock waves between the structures can be clearly observed in the numerical experiment. Intense vortical structures behind the bore front are generated as the bore propagate through the constriction.