Collinear wave-current shear interactions are often assumed to be the same for currents following or opposing the direction of regular wave propagation; with momentum and mass exchanges restricted to the thin oscillating boundary layer (zero-flux condition) and enhanced but equal wave-averaged bed shear stresses. To examine these assumptions, a prototype-scale experiment investigated the nature of turbulent exchanges in flows with currents aligned to, and opposing, wave propagation over a mobile sandy bed. Estimated mean and maximum stresses from measurements above the bed exceeded predictions by models of bed shear stress subscribing to the assumptions above, suggesting the combined boundary layer is larger than predicted by theory. The core flow experiences upward turbulent fluxes in aligned flows, coupled with sediment entrainment by vortex shedding at flow reversal, whilst downward fluxes of eddies generated by the core flow, and strong adverse shear can enhance near-bed mass transport, in opposing currents. Current-aligned coherent structures contribute significantly to the stress and energy dissipation, and display characteristics of wall-attached eddies formed by the pairing of counter-rotating vortices. These preliminary findings suggest a notable difference in wave-following and wave-opposing wave-current interactions, and highlight the need to account for intermittent momentum-exchanges in predicting stress, boundary layer thickness and sediment transport.

Tsunami inundation of the coastal environment can induce scour at structure foundations leading to failure. A series of experiments are made using a unique Pneumatic Long Wave Generator to generate tsunami wave periods of 25-147 s equating to 3-17.3 min at 1:50 Froude scale. The waves propagate over a sloping bathymetry and impinge upon a square structure founded onshore in a flat sediment bed. Flow velocity, height and scour depth are recorded as a function of time during tsunami inundation. The rate of scour is observed to be time dependent. Equilibrium, which is not attained, is argued to be an inappropriate measure for time dependent transient flows such as tsunami in which the flow velocity, depth and direction are variable. The maximum scour depth is recorded and critically is observed not to be equal to the final depth due to significant sediment slumping when flow velocities reduce in the latter stages of inundation. Current and wave scour predictor equations over predict the scour, while the ASCE 7-16 method under predicts. Comparisons with available data in the literature show longer inundation durations increase the amount of scour.

This study aims to improve the design of scour protection around offshore wind turbine monopiles, as well as future-proofing them against the impacts of climate change. A series of large-scale experiments have been performed in the context of the European HYDRALAB-PLUS PROTEUS (Protection of offshore wind turbine monopiles against scouring) project in the Fast Flow Facility in HR Wallingford. These experiments make use of state of the art optical and acoustic measurement techniques to assess the damage of scour protections under the combined action of waves and currents. These novel PROTEUS tests focus on the study of the grading of the scour protection material as a stabilizing parameter, which has never been done under the combined action of waves and currents at a large scale. Scale effects are reduced and, thus, design risks are minimized. Moreover, the generated data will support the development of future scour protection designs and the validation of numerical models used by researchers worldwide. The testing program objectives are: (i) to compare the performance of single-layer wide-graded material used against scouring with current design practices; (ii) to verify the stability of the scour protection designs under extreme flow conditions; (iii) to provide a benchmark dataset for scour protection stability at large scale; and (iv) to investigate the scale effects on scour protection stability.

Tsunami induced scour at onshore coastal structures can cause exposure of the foundations and lead to failure. This paper presents experimental observations of a 147 s crest-led wave inundation, causing scouring and loading on 0.2 m wide square and 0.4 m wide rectangular onshore structures. At 1:50 Froude scale these equate to a 17.3 min inundation at 10 and 20 m wide structures. Scour development is measured using GoPro cameras situated inside the Perspex structures. The hydrostatic load is calculated from the integration of pressure readings along the front face of the structures, and the hydrodynamic loading is estimated from the approach flow velocity, as measured by a Vectrino II profiler. The results show that the maximum scour depth occurs during the inundation before significant slumping decreases the end scour depth. Both the in-test and final scour depths for the 0.4 m structure are greater, due to the larger blockage causing greater acceleration of the flow around the structure. For both structures, the hydrostatic loading is dominant over hydrodynamic load.

A fundamental requirement for any scour assessment and scour protection design is the ability to determine the Shields parameter for combined wave and current conditions.The Shields parameter can be calculated for current combined with monochromatic waves using the approach of Soulsby (1997) in combination with the wave friction factor concept. For current in combination with irregular waves, the same approach is suggested using a wave orbital velocity, U-m, for representation of the irregular sea state. U-m is defined as 1.41 times the standard deviation of the near bed wave orbital velocity.The Soulsby (2006) expression for U-m is compared with a hyperbolic expression and validated using numerical methods and laboratory measurements.A large number of expressions exist for the wave friction factor as a function of relative bed roughness. From a literature study, the paper proposes a combination of existing expressions to cover relative bed roughnesses from sand over gravel to coarse armour rock.

Subsea pipeline networks with components such as Wye-pieces and Pipeline End Manifolds (PLEMs) require protection from mechanical impacts. Pipeline scour is well understood and scour at solid caissons/gravity base foundations and piled foundations has been studied (Whitehouse, 1998; Whitehouse, et al., 2011; Sumer and Fredsoe, 2002). The scouring at small subsea gravity protection structures has received less attention than those with piles (Ottesen Hansen, 1997; Fog and Krogh, 2001) and hence there is uncertainty about predicting scour at such structures (Whitehouse, et al., 2010). The design of subsea structures requires a composite assessment of scour and stability for the protected asset and the protection structure itself. A closed structure may lead to the formation of a scour footprint that is quite similar to a solid caisson or gravity base. For an open structure, the contribution to scour interaction from the different components is more difficult to assess. Large-scale mobile bed laboratory experiments evaluated scour for a surface laid pipeline, with a spur and valves, and a generic subsea protection structure with mudmats and a perimeter skirt. Bathymetry mapping was achieved with a high precision underwater laser scanner. The experiments evaluated the contributions to scour arising from the different subsea components. Sediment mobility was a key factor, with the perimeter skirt able to resist scour over part of its length when the mobility was low/moderate, whereas in a high mobility environment the skirt was completely undermined. The foundation beams were underscoured quite quickly and the eroded sediment was flushed out through the perforated mudmats, highlighting the importance of mudmat design. The scour pattern and rate was similar with or without the pipeline in place. The underscouring of the beams caused settlement and tilting of the structure, highlighting the importance of assessing scour and scour countermeasures for these types of structure. The scour assessment needs to be integrated into the structural, geotechnical and functional performance study for any structure and the new results illustrate the importance of understanding effects related to sediment mobility, the prevailing direction of currents, the design of mudmats and skirts, and the need for additional scour countermeasures.