Numerical investigation of scour evolution around monopile structures using sedInterFoam

Scour around monopile structures critically affects offshore engineering by destabilizing foundations of wind turbines and marine installations. It results from complex wave and current interactions with the structure and seabed, creating intense flow patterns and turbulence that elevate bed shear stress, particularly upstream, forming a horseshoe vortex that initiates scour holes.
Accurate prediction of scour depth and morphology is vital for effective protection measures and structural integrity. This study uses sedInterFoam, an open-source OpenFOAM solver introduced by Mathieu (2024), to simulate sediment transport under combined wave and current conditions. By integrating multiphase flow dynamics with sediment equations, it analyses processes like bed shear stress, sediment entrainment, and deposition. Preliminary results show accuracy in predicting scour evolution, providing insights into sediment transport mechanisms and emphasizing the importance of advanced numerical tools for enhancing offshore foundation resilience against scour.