Wave-Current Loads on a Super-Large-Diameter Pile in Deep Water: An Experimental Study

Recently, the diameters and construction water depths of pile foundations planned newly built sea-crossing bridges have been increasing greatly. Hydrodynamic loads are key control factors in design super-large-diameter piles. However, most previous studies focused on inline force with a small diameter, there were few cases to consider impact transverse hydrodynamic load under wave-current actions. In this study, understand such deep-water piles, prototype was one 6.3-m piles used Xihoumen Rail-cum-Road Bridge, 1:60-scale model tests carried out an experimental tank, actions regular waves combined currents as loads. The influence current velocity static wave height forces measured analyzed. results indicate that velocity, fluctuation characteristics wave-current-induced change significantly, their peak values increase obviously compared those induced by only waves. particular, increases tens times can become equivalent force. modified Morison formula Kutta–Joukowski derive correlations between drag coefficient CD, inertia CM, lift CL, redefined Keulegan–Carpenter number KC*. Under action, contributes quite significantly pile, making it easier trigger extreme structural presented herein important reference for engineering designs