Numerical analysis on flow field and current force of caisson in submersion stage
Submersion in water is an important stage of floating caisson construction.To clarify the flow structure around the caisson and current force characteristics during the submersion process is the basic premise of caisson submersion installation.In this paper,embedded caisson of Xihoumen Road-railway Cross-sea Bridge was taken as the research object.By numerical simulation method,the influence of foundation pit on the flow structure was analyzed.The flow pattern around the caisson and the current force under different submersion depths and different inflow rates were studied.The results showed that:influenced by the caisson morphology and foundation pit topography,the three-dimensional flow characteristics are evident;the submersion depth has a significant effect on the vertical flow pattern and turbulence intensity;the flow pattern,relative velocity field distribution and relative turbulence intensity under different inflow rates are relatively consistent;influenced by the wake vortex shedding,the longitudinal and transversal current force on the caisson fluctuates with a certain amplitude,and the mean value has a good positive correlation with the submersion depth and inflow rates;the existence of foundation pit reduces the vertical blocking effect of the caisson and results in a reduction of the current force.