BFC21103 Hydraulics

Chapter 5. Hydraulic Structures

Tan Lai Wai, Wan Afnizan & Zarina Md Ali

laiwai@uthm.edu.my

Updated: September 2014

 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

i. Recognise the use of various types of hydraulic
structures;
ii. Estimate the rate of flow through/over various
hydraulic structures; and
iii. Design USBR stilling basin type III

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Hydraulic structures are artificial or natural structures that can be used
to divert, restrict, stop, or manage the flow of fluid. The structures can
be made from a range of materials such as large rocks, concrete, wooden
timbers or even tree trunks.

One of hydraulic engineering works is to design and analyze hydraulic

structures. Hydraulic structure is constructed to:
a. Control flow,
b. Maintain water level,
c. Control erosion, or
d. others

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Examples of hydraulic structures are:
a. Sluice gate,
b. Spillway,
c. Weir,
d. Energy dissipator structures, and
e. Constrictor

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Sluice gates

Spillways

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Weirs

Energy dissipators

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 5.1 Sluice Gate
Sluice gates are used to control and measure rate of flow in open
channels (in hydropower plants, and irrigation channel).

Sluice gate
Hydraulic jump

Eo yo
Q y2
a y1

Eo = initial specific energy a = height of gate opening

yo = depth of flow upstream y1 = depth of flow downstream
y2 = depth of flow further downstream
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The flow under the vertical sluice gate is considered as rectangular
orifice as long as the height of the gate opening a is smaller relative to
specific energy Eo and the flow further downstream y2 does not affect
the flow under the sluice gate y1, i.e. (yo  y1) > y2
The minimum depth area (maximum flow velocity) immediate
downstream of the sluice gate is known as vena contracta.
The depth of flow at vena contracta y1 = a, where  = depth
correction factor (0.624 to 0.648).

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Flow under Sluice Gate
Rate of flow under the sluice gate can be derived from the Bernoulli's
theorem, i.e.
po Vo2 p1 V12
 yo    y1 
g 2g g 2g

Since the free surface is under atmospheric pressure, po = p1 = 0 N/m2

Upstream velocity Vo is very small compared to downstream velocity V1, thus
Vo  0. Therefore, 2
V1
y o  y1 
2g

Velocity of flow under sluice gate V1  2gyo  y1 

Rate of flow under sluice gate Q  Cd ab 2gyo  y1 

where, b = width of gate, and Cd = coefficient of discharge (0.596 - 0.607)
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If downstream control occurs, y1 submerges completely, and the rate
of flow is based on (yo  y2).

Rate of flow under sluice gate is

Q  Cd ab 2gyo  y1  if (yo  y1) > y2

Q  Cd ab 2gyo  y2  if (yo  y1)  y2

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Activity 5.1
A sluice gate is built in a rectangular channel with bottom width b
of 2.5 m. The flow and gate characteristics are yo = 2 m,  = 0.625,
Cd = 0.610, and a = 0.5 m. Calculate the discharge under the sluice
gate if y2 = 1.8 m.

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Given b = 2.5 m, yo = 2 m,  = 0.625, Cd = 0.610, a = 0.5 m, y2 = 1.8 m

Downstream depth y1  a  0.625 0.5  0.3125m

Condition of control yo  y1  2  0.3125  1.6875 m

Since yo  y1  y2

Q  Cd ab 2gyo  y2 

Q  0.61  0.5  2.5  2  9.81  2  1.8 

Q  1.510 m3 /s

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5.2 Spillway
Spillway is built in a reservoir to allow the flow of water to safely
move downstream when the reservoir is full.
A spillway is shaped as a rectangular concrete channel that connects
the upstream and downstream regions of a weir.
The best design of a spillway is following the lower nappe of free fall
of flow (e.g. ogee spillway) and the best shape of the spillway surface
is parabolic with inverted curve at downstream.
Crest
Q H
Falling water nappe

Inverted curve
Spillway

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Sembrong dam spillway

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Ogee spillway is also known as the overflow spillway and is widely used
on gravity, arch and buttress dams. It is the most extensively used
spillway to safely pass the flood flow out of reservoir.
Ogee is shaped based on the underside curve of the nappe over a sharp-
crested weir
In high overflow spillway (H1 >
Hd), the discharge corresponds
to the maximum designed
capacity of the spillway, and H1 Hd
0.115H1
the crest of ogee spillway rises
up from point A (sharp-crested A
crest) to maximum rise of
0.115H1 then falls in parabolic
form.
Discharge coefficient Cd for
ogee spillway is about 20%
higher than Cd for weir.
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5.3 Weir
A weir is an overflow structure built across an open channel to
measure the rate of flow.
The weir offers a simple and reliable method of measuring the stream
flow.
Nappe
H1

Q
P

Sharp-crested weir

where, H1 = height of flow surface to the crest of weir,

P = height of weir, and
Q = rate of flow
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Weirs can be classified into various types, based on the width of their
crests and the openings of the weirs.

Based on Width of Crest Based on Opening of Weir

Broad-crested Rectangular notch
Sharp-crested Trapezoidal notch
Triangular notch

Weir has broad crest when the thickness of the crest is more than 60% of
nappe's thickness.
Weirs can also be categorised into submerged and non-submerged weirs.

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5.3.1 Rectangular Weir
Rectangular weirs are divided into suppressed weirs and contracted
weirs.
A weir is suppressed when the weir opening spans the full width of a
channel.

Discharge Q over a sharp-crested, fully ventilated, and free-flowing

suppressed weir is given as
3
2
Q  C d 2g LH12
3
where, Cd = coefficient of discharge (Cd = Cv  Cc)
L = span or width of weir
H1 = head of flow over the weir

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The discharge coefficient is

H1 H1
C d  0.611  0.075 for 5 (Rehbock formula)
P P
H1
C d  1.10  1.15 for 5   20
P
3
 P 2 H1
 20
C d  1.06 1   for
 H1  P

where, H1 = head of flow over weir

P = height of weir

The discharge coefficient has smooth transition between the two

equations for 20 > H1/P > 5.

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Activity 5.2
A suppressed rectangular weir 0.75 m high and 1.5 m long is used
to discharge water from a tank under a head of 0.5 m. Estimate the
discharge of the weir.

0.5 m

0.75 m

1.5 m

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Suppressed rectangular weir, P = 0.75 m, L = 1.5 m, H1 = 0.5 m
H1 0.5
  0.6667
P 0.75
H1 H1
Since  5, C d  0.611  0.075
P P
C d  0.611  0.0750.6667 
C d  0.661

3
2
Q  C d 2g LH12
3
3
2
Q   0.661 2  9.81  1.5  0.52
3
Q  1.035 m3 /s
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Contracted weir has weir length that is smaller than the width of the
channel. Due to the presence of the end contractions, the effective
length of weir Le is smaller than the actual length of weir L.

H1

Le P
L

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Contracted weir can be contracted at both ends (number of
contraction n = 2) or only one end (n = 1). For suppressed weir, n = 0.

Two end One end Zero end

contraction contraction contraction

n=2 n=1 n=0

23
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The discharge of a free-flowing rectangular contracted weir is given as
3
2
Q  C d 2gLe H12
3

where, L = length of weir

Le = L  0.1nH1
n = number of end contractions
H1= head of flow over the weir
Cd = coefficient of discharge
 0.00451   H1  
2

C d   0.607   1  0.55   Bazin formula

 H1    H1  P  

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Activity 5.3
A rectangular weir 0.75 m high and 1.5 m long is contracted at both
ends (n = 2). Estimate the discharge if the weir is discharging water
from a tank under a head of 0.5 m.

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Given P = 0.75 m, L = 1.5 m, H1 = 0.5 m, and n = 2

0.00451   H1  
2

C d   0.607   1  0.55  
 H1    H1  P  
 0.00451    0 .5 
2

C d   0.607   1  0.55    0.6702
 0.5    0.5  0.75  

Le  L  0.1nH1  1.5  0.120.5  1.4 m

3
2
Q  C d 2gLe H12
3
3
2
Q   0.6702 2  9.81  1.4  0.52
3
Q  0.9796 m3 /s
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5.3.2 Triangular Weir
Discharge over a triangular weir with vertex angle , under a head H1 is
given as
8
5

Q  C d 2g H12 tan
15 2
where, Cd = coefficient of discharge (= 0.58)

H1


B
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Activity 5.4
Calculate the discharge of flow through a triangular notch with
vertex angle of 60 and a head H1 of 0.5 m. Assume coefficient of
discharge to be 0.58.

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Given  = 60, H1 = 0.5 m, and Cd = 0.58

8 
Q  C d 2g H1 tan
52

15 2
 5
8 60
Q   0.58  2  9.81 0.52 tan
15 2

Q  0.1398 m3 /s

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5.3.3 Trapezoidal Weir
Discharge through a trapezoidal weir with side slope m : 1, is a
combination of flow through a suppressed rectangular weir with length
L, and a triangular weir with vertex angle of 2, where m = tan , i.e.
3
2 4
Q  C d 2g H12 (L  H1 tan )
3 5

H1
 

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The trapezoidal weir with side slope 1(H) : 4(V) is known as Cippoletti
weir. The discharge through a Cippoletti weir is given as
3
2
Q  C d 2g LH12
3
where, Cd = 0.63

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Activity 5.5
A Cippoletti weir with width 0.5 cm is installed at a section of a
channel. Calculate the discharge when the head over the crest is
0.25 cm. Use Cd = 0.63.

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Cippoletti weir with sides 1(H) : 4(V), L = 0.5 cm, H1 = 0.25 cm, Cd = 0.63

  tan1    14.04
H1 1
 
4
L

3
2
Q  C d 2g LH12
3
3
2
Q   0.63 2  9.81 0.005 0.00252
3
Q  1.163  10 6 m3 /s

Q  1.163 cm3 /s
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5.4 Energy Dissipator Structure
Energy dissipator structures are commonly built at the lower end of a
spillway to reduce the kinetic energy of flow. These structures are built
to reduce damages caused by high kinetic energy flows.
When designing an energy dissipator for a specific location, one must
considers factors such as the site location, the dissipator structures, and
the discharge through the dissipator. An example of energy dissipator is
USBR stilling basin type III.
Stilling basin type III is very stable with a steep jump front and less wave
action downstream than stilling basin type II or free hydraulic jump. It is
recommended for discharges up to 18.58 m2/s per basin width with Fr =
4.5 to 17, and velocity of flow V1 = 15.2 m/s to 18.3 m/s.

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Type of stilling basin (US Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation - USBR, 1984)

Flow
Stilling basin type I

Flow
Stilling basin type II

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 Flow
Stilling basin type III

Stilling basin type IV Flow

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 Flow
Stilling basin type V

Stilling basin type VI Flow

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 Flow

Stilling basin type VII

Stilling basin type VIII

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 Flow

Stilling basin type IX

Flow

Stilling basin type X

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USBR stilling basin type III

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USBR Stilling basin type III
There are 3 sets of blocks, i.e. A. chute blocks, B. baffle piers, and C. end sill.

Block A: Block B: Block C:

Chute blocks Baffle piers End sill
t3

s1
w1
h1 w3
s3
h3 1 1 h4
z3 z4
L2
L
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Sizing for USBR stilling basin type III

Block A Block B Block C

h4   1  1 y1
Fr
h1 = y 1 h3 = (0.168Fr1 + 0.63) y1
 18 
s1 = y 1 s3 = 0.75h3
z4 = 2.0
w 1 = y1 w3 = 0.75h3
t3 = 0.2h3
z3 = 1.0

L2 = 0.8y2
L = refer to the chart of length of jump on horizontal floor
Q
where, y1 
BV1

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Ho

H1

V1
y1
y2

V1  2g H1  o 

H
2 
y2 1

  1  1  8Fr12
y1 2

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 4.0

3.0

L 2.0
y2

1.0

0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
V1
Fr1 
gy1
Length of jump on horizontal floor
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Steps in sizing for USBR stilling basin type III
Step 1. Find V1, y1, Fr1, y2

Step 2. Determine length of basin L

Step 3. Determine h1, s1, w1 and quantity of chute blocks (block A)

B
No. of block A 
s1  w1 

Step 4. Determine L2, h3, s3, w3, t3 and quantity of baffle piers (block B)
B
No. of block B 
s3  w3 

Step 5. Determine h4 for end sill (block C)

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Activity 5.6
An 8 m-wide weir of a dam is discharging 80 m3/s of flow with H1 = 30 m,
and Ho = 5m. Design an USBR stilling basin type III downstream of the
spillway.

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Step 1. Find V1, y1, Fr1 and y2

 Ho   5
V1  2g H1    2  9.81 30    23.23 m/s
 2   2

Q 80
y1    0.4305 m
BV1 8  23.23

V1 23.23
Fr1    11.30
gy1 9.81 0.4305

y2 
y1
2
 
 1  1  8Fr12 
0.4305
2
 
 1  1  8  11.32  6.668 m

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Step 2. Determine length of basin L
From the figure of length of jump on horizontal floor,
L  2.75y2  2.75 6.668  18.34 m

Step 3. Determine h1, s1, w1 and quantity of chute blocks (block A)

h1 = y1 = 0.4305 m
s1 = y1 = 0.4305 m
w1 = y1 = 0.4305 m
B 8
No. of block A    9.391  9 blocks
s1  w1  0.4305 0.4305

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Step 4. Determine L2, h3, s3, w3, t3 and quantity of baffle piers (block B)
L2 = 0.8y2 = 0.8  6.668 = 5.334 m
h3 = (0.168Fr1 + 0.63) y1= (0.168  11.3 + 0.63)  0.4305 = 1.088 m
s3 = 0.75h3 = 0.75  1.088 = 0.8160 m
w3 = 0.75h3 = 0.75  1.088 = 0.8160 m
t3 = 0.2h3 = 0.2  1.088 = 0.2176 m
z3 = 1.0
B 8
No. of block B    4.902  5 blocks
s3  w3  0.816  0.816

Step 5. Determine h4 for end sill (block C)

h4   1  1 y1  
Fr 11.3 
 1 0.4305  0.7008 m
 18   18 
z4 = 2.0
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Assignment #5
Q1. Explain the functions of the following hydraulic structures:
(a) sluice gate
(b) weir
(c) spillway
(d) energy dissipator structures

Q2. A 1.5 m wide sluice gate with an opening of 10 cm is discharging water

at a rate of 3 m/s. Calculate the discharge if the depth of flow behind
the sluice gate is 3 m and the downstream depth is 2 m. Use
coefficient of discharge Cd = 0.585.

Q3. A trapezoidal weir with side slope 1:4 and width of opening 0.5 m is
used to measure flow rate of a river. Calculate the discharge if the
head above the weir is 25 cm and Cd = 0.675.

- End of Question -
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THANK YOU

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