Propeller Wash Scour near Quay Walls

Abstract

The disturbance of bed sediments by the wash of ship's propellers, and the resulting structural and environmental impact, is an increasing problem. Consequently, there is a need for an accurate method of scour prediction. The scouring action of the wash generated by a number of propellers in the confines of quay structures was investigated in the laboratory. Empirical equations have been developed for the prediction of the maximum depth of scour, for any given exposure period, for both free expanding jets and those in close proximity to harbor structures.