STILLING BASINS
Stilling basins are external energy dissipators placed at the outlet of a culvert, chute or
rundown. These basins are characterized by some combination of chute blocks, baffle blocks and
sills designed to trigger a hydraulic jump in combination with a required tail water condition.
With the required tail water, velocity leaving a properly designed stilling basin is equal to the
velocity in the receiving channel.
Chute Blocks
These are triangular blocks with their top surface horizontal. These are installed at the toe
of the spillway just at upstream end of the stilling basin. They act as a serrated device at the
entrance to the stilling basin. They furrow the incoming jet and lift a portion of it above the floor.
These blocks stabilize the jump and thus improve its performance, these also decrease the length
of the hydraulic jump.
Basin Blocks or Baffle Blocks or Baffle Piers
These are installed on the stilling basin floor between chute blocks and the end sill. These
blocks also stabilize the formation of the jump. Moreover, they increase the turbulence and assist
in the dissipation of energy. They help in breaking the flow and dissipate energy mostly by impact.
These baffle blocks are sometimes called friction blocks.
Sills and Dentated Sills
Sill or more preferably dentated sill is generally provided at the end of the stilling basin.
The dentated sill diffuses the residual portion of the high velocity jet reaching the end of the basin.
They therefore, help in dissipating residual energy and to reduce the length of the jump or the
basin.
Types of Stilling Basins
o SAF Stilling Basins
Three types of SAP stilling basins are treated herein. Each type may be thought of as a
structural variation of the SAF outlet and each uses the alternate joint detail given in that
drawing. All types are assumed symmetrical in both construction and loading about the
longitudinal centerline of the basin as well as about the vertical centerline of any transverse cross
section. Each basin is designed for the two loading conditions described below, and each must
satisfy both flotation (uplift) requirements and sliding requirements.
SAF Stilling Basins
o Type (A)
This type, most closely approximates the SAF outlet of ES-86. Structurally, the basin is a
monolithic unit. The floor slab thicknesses vary uniformly from the downstream end of the basin
to the break-in-grade, and from the break-in-grade to the upstream end.
o Type (B)
This type, has a transverse articulated joint at the breakin-grade. Some form of floor joint step is
normally used at this joint. The upstream end section is vertical, rather than normal to the plane
of the inclined floor slab. The doweled, transverse articulation joint makes the structural
behavior of this type of SAF differ from that of type (A).
o Type (C)
This type, has independent retaining wall portions and pavement slab. The pavement slab resists
any thrust imposed on it by the retaining wall portions. The most advantageous toe length, X, is
determined in the design.
o U.S.B.R. Stilling basin (United States Bureau of Reclamation)
characterized by blocks at the end of the chute and a dentated sill at the end of the basin. For
this basin, USBR only gives overall design criteria concerning basin length and block
dimensions on the basis of the assumption that the hydraulic jump remains confined within the
sill. No considerations are provided concerning possible different jump types, pressure regimes,
and forces acting on the sill. To comply with such a lack, an experimental campaign was
undertaken that focuses on the differences among hydraulic jump types that can occur in a
USBR.
o Indian Standard Basin
- Horizontal Apron Type -1
A sloping apron is provided. An efficient hydraulic jump is formed at a suitable level on the
sloping apron.
- Horizontal Apron Type -2
IS basin Type III is recommended where T.W.C. is above J.H.C. at all discharges
- Sloping Apron Type -3
IS basin Type IV is suitable where the tail water depth y’2 at the maximum discharge exceeds
y, at low discharges
- Sloping Apron Type -4
IS Type III basin is usually provided with a sloping apron for the entire length where as IS
Type IV basin is provided with a partly sloping and a partly horizontal apron. For both these
basins a solid or dentated sill is provided. No other accessory is required.
