Hydraulic Model Test of the Bottom Outlet of Sivand Dam
This paper presents the results of hydraulic test of bottom outlet of the Sivand Dam. The aims of the hydraulic model test are, gate discharge characteristics and gate loading. Results for different gate openings are also compared with calculated values obtained by a finite element method. Key-Words: Hydraulic model test, Dam, Finite element method, Gate, Gate Discharge
Hydrodynamic Performance and Cavitation Analysis in Bottom Outlets of Dam Using CFD Modelling
Bottom outlets are significant structures of dams, which are responsible for controlling the flow rate, operation, or removal of reservoir sedimentation. The service gate controls the outlet flow rate, and whenever this gate is out of order, the emergency gate which is located at upstream is utilized. The cavitation phenomenon is one of the common bottom outlets’ problems due to the rapid flow transfer. The present research is a numerical study of the flow pattern in a dam’s bottom outlet for different gate openings by the use of Flow-3D software and RNG k-e turbulence model. The investigation is carried out on the Sardab Dam, an earth dam in Isfahan (Iran). The maximum velocity for 100% opening of the gate and Howell Bunger valve is about 18 m/s in the section below the gate, and the maximum velocity for 40% opening of the gate is equal to 23.1 m/s. For 50% opening of the service and emergency gate in the valve’s upstream areas, the desired pressure values are reduced. Moreover, in the areas between the two emergency and service gates, the pressure values are reduced. The possibility of cavitation in this area can be reduced by installing aerators. The flow pattern in Sardab Dam’s bottom outlet has relatively stable and proper conditions, and there are no troublesome hydraulic phenomena such as local vortices, undesirable variations in pressure, and velocity in the tunnel, and there is no flow separation in the critical area of flow entering into the branch.
Instability of an Idealized Tainter-Gate System without Damping Caused by Surface Waves on the Back Water of Dam
Many Tainter-gates are being used with increased frequencies also in Japan, in order to control the water level of reservoirs. In this type of gate system, the effect of mechanical frictions is much less than in the type of vertical-lift gates, therefore providing a small hoisting load and a smooth operation of the gate. Though Tainter-gates have such great advantages, these facilities of the mechanism yield a fear that Tainter-gates may oscillate owing to some fluid-induced structural load, i.e. the operation of Tainter-gates may tend to become unstable. In this study, the stability of an idealized Tainter-gate system without damping effects, which is caused by surface waves on the back water of dam, was theoretically analyzed, but the analysis was restricted to the case that the resultant of the hydraulic pressure exerted on the weir plate passes under the trunnion pin. It was concluded as follows : Tainter-gates fundamentally possess the property of a self-excited oscillation.