Hydraulic Structures Baffled Outlets December 4, 2010

Baffled Outlets
Design Criteria
1. To standardize the method of computing Froude numbers the shape of the jet is assumed
to be square.
Q
A
V
In which V is the theoretical velocity V 2gh and h is the head to be dissipated.
V
d A , Fr
gd
2. The depth of the baffle should not be less than the diameter of incoming pipe, to prevent
jet from passing over the baffle.
3. If the basin is too wide the energy will not be effectively dissipated because the incoming
jet will spread and pass under the baffle, rather than strike it.
4. To prevent cavitation or impact damage to the basin the theoretical pipe velocity
V 2gh should be limited to 50 ft/sec.
The diameter of pipe should be sized using a velocity of 12 ft/sec assuming pipe is
flowing full.
5. W d 3 is impractical (W is minimum depth).
6. The pipe should be turned horizontal for a length of at least 3 pipe diameters so as to
direct the jet into the baffle.
7. An air vent of diameter 1/6 pipe diameter near the upstream end is necessary to prevent
pressure fluctuations and surging of the flow in the system.
8. Protection with well graded mixture of rocks, most having diameters equal to 1/20 of
basin width should be placed to a depth = height of end sill for a distance = one basin
width (W) d.s. from end sill, this protection consists either of 12 coarse gravel or 12
riprap on 6 sand and gravel bedding.

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Hydraulic Structures Baffled Outlets December 4, 2010

Design Example
a. Given:
1. Q 150 cfs
h 30 ft
2. Based on maximum velocity = 12 ft/sec
Q 150
Minimum pipe area 12.5 ft 2
V 12

A D2
4

12.5 D 2 , D 3.98 ft
4
Select 48 diameter pipe, A 12.57 ft 2
3. Air ventilation
An air vent into the pipe near the inlet is required. The ventilation diameter = 1/6
pipe diameter
1
Ventilation pipe diameter 48" 8"
6
b. Determination of basin dimensions
1. Theoretical velocity
V 2gh 2 32.2 30 43.93 ft sec
This is less than maximum allowable velocity 50 ft/sec
2. Area of flow
Q 150
A 3.42 ft 2
V 43.93
3. Depth of flow
d A 3.42 1.85 ft
4. Froude number
V 43.93
Fr 5.7
gd 32.2 1.85
5. W d ratio from Figure 6.10
Read w d 7.7
6. Minimum width of basin
W 7.7d 7.7 1.85 14.25 ft
7. Use baffled outlet design width

W 14'3"

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Hydraulic Structures Baffled Outlets December 4, 2010

4 4
8. L W 14.25 19 ft
3 3
1 1
f W 14.25 2.375 ft say 2.4 ft (2'5")
6 6
1 1
e W 14.25 1.19 ft say 1.2 ft
12 12
1 1
a C W 14.25 7.13 use 7.15ft
2 2
3 3
H W 14.25 10.69 ft say 10.7ft
4 4
3 3
b W 14.25 5.34 ft
8 8
c. Determination of erosion protection requirements
W 14.25
1. Rock diameter 0.71 ft
20 20
(diameter )3
Volume of rock 0.19 ft 3
6
Depth of protection f 2.38 ft
Use 12 riprap on 6 sand and gravel bedding.
2. Length of protection W 14.25 ft use 15 ft
3. Depth of protection 2.38ft
Providing 12 riprap which is greater than size 0.71 on 6 sand and gravel
bedding will provide 1.5 ft protection depth this thickness will be considered
adequate because of difference in rock size.