Hydraulics Prof. B.S.

Thandaveswara

32.1 Sequent Depth Tail Water Relationship - Stilling Basin

In a stilling basin excess hydro mechanical energy is converted mainly into heat, spray

and sound (See box).

Water flowing with supercritical velocity in a wide rectangular channel when charges to

subcritical flow hydraulic jump occurs . Assuming approach flow to be uniform and

hydrostatic pressure distribution, evaluate the change in mechanical energy through the

jump. If heat transfer to the surroundings is negligible, find the change in water

temperature through the jump. y1 = 600 mm, V1 = 5ms −1 , F1 = 2.061.

Answer

Temp = 4.49 × 10−4 k

∆mc = 1.88 Nm kg −1

Reference: Robert.W.Fox - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, MCdonald, Fourth Edition

pp.180

The stilling basin is a hydraulic structure located between the outlet works of a dam and

the tailwater, to where, should return excess flows safely. The stilling basin is a

structure in which a hydraulic jump is generated and has been designed economically in

terms of length, tailwater level and scour.

The selection of a stilling basin depends on

• Approach flow conditions,

• Tail water characteristics,

• Scour potential and

• Personal preferences.

The approach energy head should be between 10 and 30 m, in order that the

performance of the basin is successful. A number of standard basins are available that

have been tested extensively by Peterka, (1958). Problems with stilling basins can

occur for high approach velocity. Froude number less than 2.5 with asymmetric

approach conditions, non linear inflow or outflow or low tail water level. In general, the

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

minimum tailwater level should be equal to the sequent depth. Relationship between tail

water and sequent depth is shown in figure 32.1.

Relationship between Tailwater (yt )

and Sequent depth (y2)
y2 = sequent depth,
yt = tailwater depth

y2 y'2

y1

Case 1

Remark: For entire discharge range - Ideal

(i) y2=yt
Jump rating =
tailwater rating

Discharge Q

Case 2
Jump
rating
y2 > yt for the entire range of discharges,
(ii) y2 > yt protected apron, sills are used to create
Tailwater jump within the basin
rating

Discharge Q

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Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Case 3
Tailwater
rating
y2 < yt for the entire range of discharges,
(iii) y2 < yt Jump (i) Sloping apron above the bed level
rating (ii) Drop in the channel floor

Discharge Q

Case 4

Jump
rating y2 > yt initially for lower discharges
(iv) y2 > yt initially yt > y2 later for higher discharges
yt > y2 later Stilling basin and Sloping apron
Tailwater
rating

Discharge Q

Case 5
Tailwater
rating
y2 < yt initially for lower discharges
(v) y2 < yt initially yt > y2 later for higher discharges
Jump
yt > y2 later rating Stilling pool

Discharge Q

Fig. 32.1 Classification of tailwater conditions for the design for the design of
scour-protection works

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Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

32.2 Basic Elements of Stilling Basin

Baffles are provided mainly to shorten hydraulic jump without gaining additional

tailwater level. Compared to a simple hydraulic jump basin in which the approach flow

momentum is balanced by an adequate tail water level, stilling basins have in addition

chute and baffles elements. Those elements are located on the basin bottom and

involve steps, sills or blocks. The effect of dissipation can be increased with a diverging

basin.

Chute block Baffles or Piers or floor blocks End Sill

Fig. 32.2 Appurtenances in stilling basin

Increasing the boundary roughness and injection of additional discharge have not

received much attention. Because of associated cavitation and stability issues. Figure

32.3 shows such possibilities in the flow of stilling basin.

Bottom geometry - Step, an element (Baffle pier), Drop

Gradual expansion Sudden expansion

Plan Geometry

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Flow over a
Cascade or Steps

Roughned boundary surface

Injection of additional discharge

Figure 32.3 - Typical elements of Stilling basin
Among the large variety of shapes that have been proposed (Proceedings of

Symposium on Energy Dissipators published by Central Board of Irrigation and Power,

Publication number 70, 1961) the baffle sill basin and the baffle block basin are the

most popular ones. Those elements are prone to cavitation damage. Eventhough

abrasion is of not concern for basins downstream of overflow structures, it becomes

very important in case of bottom outlets. In case of stilling basins with high velocity

leading to the possibilities of abrasion, baffles should be fitted with steel-armouring (see

figure 32.4), or a simple basin should be provided.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

0.075 m 2.52 m

3.35 m

0.075 m

0.6 m 6.76 m

Front elevation Side elevation

Steel Plate armouring

2.52 m 4.04 m

Figure-32.4 Typical dimensions of proto type baffles

Stilling Basins with Sloping apron (After Elevatorski)

Dam Country / Apron Slope Max. Velocit Initial Sequent Length Stilling
State Discharg y of Jump Basin
e Froude Depth in m length
V in
Qmax m/s number Ratio Lj Lb
3 -1
ms (F1) (y2/y1)
Bhakra India 1 : 10 8211.89 48.16 10.3 14.2 196.9 118.72
Canyon
Montana Varies 5663.37 29.26 6.1 8.2 125.88 59.13
Ferry
British
Capilano 1 : 45 1217.62 35.67 9.6 13.2 117 71.32
Columbia
Dickinson S.Dakota 1:8 934.46 14.63 4.4 5.7 36.58 21.64
Folson California 1:8 7079.21 40.54 8.4 11.5 176.2 98.75
Fraint California 1:7 2548.52 32.92 12.0 16.5 81.08 67.67
Keswick California Varies 7079.21 21.03 3.1 4.0 100.58 39.01
Canal
Madden 1:4 7928.72 26.52 5.7 7.7 116.43 45.72
Zone
Norris Tennesse 1:4 5578.42 32.31 7.9 10.7 128.63 68.27
Olympus Colorado Varies 566.34 16.46 5.4 7.3 47.24 28.04
11751.5
Rihand India 1 : 14 32.92 7.6 10.3 125.88 102.11
0
Shasta California 1 : 12 7079.22 42.98 11.4 15.8 140.51 94.18

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