MINI DESIGN PROJECT 1: DESIGN OF A SPILLWAY GATE OF A DAM

by Nicodemus Paul (1166125)

Friday, February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 (Wednesday) University of Alberta

February 5, 2010 Objective

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

Design the spillway gate of a dam to contain water above the spillway crest, while providing a convenient method to open the gate in case of flood.

Given Data Elevation of spillway crest = 2090.0 ft Normal high-water elevation = 2110.0 ft Span of piers = 30.0 ft Working fluid is water.

Assumptions The length of the gate does not exceed the span of the piers. The top of the gate is not required to exceed the normal water level. The bottom of the gate does not extend below the spillway crest elevation. The working fluid is incompressible. Atmospheric pressure acts equally on both sides of the gate. Compared to water, atmospheric pressure does not vary significantly with elevation. Acceleration due to gravity is constant: g = 32.174

ft s2

Atmospheric conditions are constant: T = 293 K; P = 1 atm

! kg The density of the water is constant: " = 998 3 m ! !

February 5, 2010 Schematic

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

Roadway

Spillway Gate 20.0 ft ytop

Hinge

yhinge

ybottom x

Spillway Crest

The spillway gate has a maximum length of 30.0 ft into the page.

February 5, 2010 Analysis

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

In the event of a flood, water must be discharged as quickly as possible in order to prevent damage to the dam structure. When open, a larger gate area will produce a greater flow rate. Thus, a flat rectangular plate is used. The length of the gate is restricted by the span of the piers (30.0 ft). The height of the gate is restricted by the height of the spillway crest (2090.0 ft) and the normal water level (2110.0 ft).

L = 30.0 ft H = 2110.0 ft " 2090.0 ft = 20.0 ft A = L# H = ( 30.0 ft )(20.0 ft ) = 600 ft 2

It is necessary to determine the total force applied by the water. According to Pascals Law, the

!below the free surface is pressure at a depth h

P = Patm + "gh

Atmospheric pressure acts on each side of the gate and is therefore neglected. The net pressure applied to the gate is
! P = "gh

By the definition of pressure, the resultant force is given by the product of the pressure at the
!of the surface, centroid of the surface and the area FR = Pc A

The centroid of the surface is given by

!

yc =

1 A

"

y dA

The resultant force acts through the centre of pressure. Employing the Parallel Axis Theorem,

y p = yc +

Ixx,c yc A

February 5, 2010

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

For a vertical rectangular plate whose top edge is horizontal and at the free surface,
yc = 1 y + y bottom 2 top

"gLH 2 FR = [ P0 + "g( s + b /2) sin # ] ab = 2

b b2 2H yp = s + + = 2 12[ s + b /2 + P0 /( "g sin # )] 3

Plugging in values,

yc =

1! (20.0 ft + 0) 2 " % " lbm 3 %$ 0.062428 '" " kg %$ 1 lbf ft % 2 ft ' $998 3 '$ $ '$ 32.174 2 '( 30.0 ft )(20.0 ft ) ' kg ft # m &$ s & '$ 32.174 lbm '# 1 2 # &# m3 & s 2 2(20.0 ft ) 3
y c = 10.0 ft

FR =

yp =

FR = 3.74" 10 5 lbf y p = 13.3 ft

Thus, the resultant force of the water has a magnitude of 3.74105 lbf and acts at a distance of
! 13.3 ft from the free surface. If the hinge is placed in the same position on the opposite side of

the gate, there is no net moment. In the event of a flood, the water level will rise, causing the line of action of the resultant force to shift upward. This will produce a moment about the hinge axis, causing the gate to swing open and allow water to flow.

February 5, 2010

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

However, in the event of a low water level, the line of action of the resultant force will lower. This would also cause rotation about the hinge axis. To prevent undesired discharge, a stop should be placed at the bottom of the gate, on the side opposite to the reservoir.

Drawings

"M
!

=0

FR y x

FH

Fy

Figure 1: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir at normal water level.

February 5, 2010

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

"M
!

<0
FR

H y x Fy Figure 2: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir flooded.

FH

"M
!

=0

H y x FR Fs Fy

FH

Figure 3: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir below normal level. Force exerted by stop to prevent undesired discharge.

February 5, 2010

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

Roadway

Spillway Gate 20.0 ft

Hinge

6.7 ft Stop Spillway Crest x

Figure 4: Final design of the spillway gate. The gate has a length of 30.0 ft into the page.

February 5, 2010 Conclusions

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

The spillway gate of a dam was designed, given the normal reservoir level (2110.0 ft) and the elevation of the spillway crest (2090.0 ft). In order to expedite discharge in the event of a flood, the area of the gate was maximized. Considering the pier span of 30.0 ft, the gate was given a length of 30.0 ft and a height of 20.0 ft. At a normal reservoir level, the water was found to apply a force of 3.74105 lbf to the gate at a distance of 13.3 ft from the free surface. In order to balance forces and moments, the hinge was placed directly opposite to the resultant force. The design assumptions are reasonable. Water is known to be an incompressible fluid. Atmospheric conditions vary based on location. If the dam is built in Canada, lower temperatures and icing conditions must be considered. Nevertheless, the principal quantities used in the design of the gate, such as the acceleration due to gravity and the density of water, do not vary widely with respect to environmental conditions. Overall, this model is robust. The design is feasible and efficient. In the event of a flood, no human action is required. Effectively, the additional weight of the water causes the spillway gate to open until the normal level is restored. Due to its maximal area, the gate provides an optimal flow rate, reducing potential damage to the dam structure. In order to proceed with the design, detailed stress analysis must be completed. This will allow for material selection and detailed design.

References [1] Cengel, Y.A. (2010), Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed., pp. 7678 and pp. 88-93.

February 5, 2010 Nomenclature A FH FR Fs Fy g h H Ixx,c L P Patm Pc ybottom yc yhinge yp ytop ! Area of the gate Force applied by hinge Resultant force Force applied by stop

MEC E 330 LAB H2 Mini Design Project 1

Paul, Nicodemus 1166125

Vertical force applied to gate Acceleration due to gravity Depth below free surface Height of the gate Second moment of area about the x-axis passing through the centroid of the area Length of the gate Pressure Atmospheric pressure Pressure at the centroid y-coordinate of bottom of the gate y-coordinate of centroid of the gate y-coordinate of hinge y-coordinate of centre of pressure (from free surface) y-coordinate of top of the gate Density

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