Ship propellers generate high-flow velocities near quay walls, posing risks of bed scour and structural instability. A joint effort by CROW and the Dutch Government aims to refine bed protection design. This research program combines field measurements, scale model tests, and numerical modeling. At Deltares, a scale model investigates confined propeller jets from large vessels. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) characterizes propeller jet-induced flow fields, near-bed velocities, and turbulence levels. Deformation tests assess the stability of various bed protections, including conventional rip-rap and an innovative rock mattress design. Stereo photography measurements quantify deformation and stability, while accelerometers monitor mattress motion during propeller-induced loading. To ensure accurate scaling, 3D printing is used for the mesh material of the bed protection. These scale-model tests offer insights into propeller jet-induced scour, enhancing bed protection strategies and bolstering the resilience and stability of quay walls and similar structures.
