Cavitation risk estimation at orifice spillway based on UVP and dynamic pressure measurements
Orifice spillways might be affected by cavitation if the profile of the inlet structure includes a relevant curvature. At one of the world’s largest dams, such damages were observed on the profiled slab. To limit their progression, an adapted operation regime of the gates had to be defined using physical model tests. The risk estimation was based on dynamic pressure and velocity measurements, indicating that a maximum gate opening ratio of 0.8 should be respected until the damage is repaired and the profile re-shaped. Beside this, the data set allowed to compare the flow characteristics at the profile surface in terms of turbulence intensity and dominant frequencies. The Ultrasonic Velocity Profiler (UVP) provides comparable characteristic values as the dynamic pressure transmitter (DPS).
Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on Ultrasonic Doppler Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Engineering
First International Symposium on Ultrasonic Doppler Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Engineering Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland 9. 11. September, 1996 First International Symposium on Ultrasonic Doppler Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Engineering
Turbulent air–water flows in hydraulic structures: dynamic similarity and scale effects
In hydraulic structures, free-surface aeration is commonly observed: i.e., the white waters. The air bubble entrainment may be localised (hydraulic jumps, plunging jets) or continuous along an interface (water jets, chutes). Despite recent advances, there are some basic concerns about the extrapolation of laboratory results to large size prototype structures. Herein the basic air bubble entrainment processes are reviewed and the relevant dynamic similarities are discussed. Traditionally, physical studies are conducted using a Froude similitude which implies drastically smaller laboratory Reynolds numbers than in the corresponding prototype flows. Basic dimensional analyses are developed for both singular and interfacial aeration processes. The results are discussed in the light of systematic investigations and they show that the notion of scale effects is closely linked with the selection of relevant characteristic air–water flow properties. Recent studies of local air–water flow properties highlight that turbulence levels, entrained bubble sizes and interfacial areas are improperly scaled based upon a Froude similitude even in large-size models operating with the so defined Reynolds numbers ρw × qw/μw up to 5 E+5. In laboratory models, the dimensionless turbulence levels, air–water interfacial areas and mass transfer rates are drastically underestimated.