Propeller wash scour near quay walls

The disturbance of bed sediments by the wash of ship's propellers, and the resulting structural and environmental impact, is an increasing problem. Co nsequently, 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 con fines of quay structures was investigated in the laboratory. Empirical equa tions 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 c lose proximity to harbor structures.