BFC21103 Hydraulics

Chapter 5. Hydraulic Structures

Updated: February 2020

 Learning Outcomes

At the end of Chapter 5, students should be able to:

i. Recognise the use of various types of hydraulic
structures;
ii. Estimate rate of flow through/over various
hydraulic structures; and
iii. Design USBR stilling basin type III
Hydraulic structures are artificial or natural structures that can be used
to divert, restrict, stop, or manage 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
Examples of hydraulic structures are:
a. Sluice gate,
b. Spillway,
c. Weir,
d. Energy dissipator structures, and
e. Constrictor
Sluice gates

Weirs
Weirs

Stilling basins
 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
Flow under vertical sluice gate is considered as rectangular orifice as
long as height of gate opening a is smaller relative to specific energy
Eo and flow further downstream y2 does not affect the flow under
sluice gate y1, i.e. (yo − y1) > y2
Minimum depth area (maximum flow velocity) immediate
downstream of sluice gate is known as vena contracta.
Depth of flow at vena contracta y1 = ψa, where ψ = depth correction
factor (0.624 to 0.648).
Flow under Sluice Gate
Rate of flow under sluice gate can be derived from Bernoulli's theorem,
i.e.
po Vo2 p1 V12
+ yo + = + y1 +
ρg 2g ρg 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 = C d ab 2g(yo − y1 )

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

Rate of flow under sluice gate is

Q = C d ab 2g(yo − y1 ) if (yo − y1) > y2

Q = C d ab 2g(yo − y2 ) if (yo − y1) ≤ y2

Activity 5.1
A sluice gate is built in a rectangular channel with bottom width b
of 1.5 m. Flow and gate characteristics are yo = 0.35 m, ψ = 0.63, Cd
= 0.610, and a = 0.12 m. Calculate discharge under sluice gate if y2 =
0.2 m.
Activity 5.2
A sluice gate is built in a rectangular channel with bottom width b of
2.5 m. Flow and gate characteristics are yo = 2 m, ψ = 0.625, Cd = 0.610,
and a = 0.5 m. Calculate discharge under sluice gate if y2 = 1.8 m.
Given b = 2.5 m, yo = 2 m, ψ = 0.625, Cd = 0.610, a = 0.5 m, y2 = 1.8 m

Downstream depth y1 = Ψa = 0.625 × 0.5 = 0.3125 m

Condition of control yo − y1 = 2 − 0.3125 = 1.6875 m

Since yo − y1 < y2

Q = C d ab 2g(yo − y2 )

Q = 0.61 × 0.5 × 2.5 × 2 × 9.81 × (2 − 1.8 )

Q = 1.510 m3 /s
Exercise 1
A sluice gate is built in a 1.5 m wide rectangular channel having
uniform depth of yo = 0.3 m, coefficient of discharge Cd = 0.605, and
gate opening of a = 0.127 m. Hydraulic jump occurs downstream. If
depth of flow before hydraulic jump y1 is 0.189 m, calculate

(i) Conjugate depth y2 of hydraulic jump

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

Inverted curve
Spillway
Sembrong dam spillway
Ogee spillway is also known as overflow spillway and is widely used on
gravity, arch and buttress dams. It is the most extensively used spillway
to safely pass flood flow out of reservoir.
Ogee is shaped based on the underside curve of nappe over a sharp-
crested weir
In high overflow spillway (H1 >
Hd), the discharge corresponds
to maximum designed capacity
of spillway, and the crest of H1 Hd
0.115H1
ogee spillway rises up from
point A (sharp-crested crest) to A
maximum rise of 0.115H1 then
falls in parabolic form.

Discharge coefficient Cd for

ogee spillway is about 20%
higher than Cd for weir.
5.3 Weir
A weir is an overflow structure built across an open channel to
measure rate of flow.
The weir offers a simple and reliable method of measuring stream flow.

Nappe
H1

Q
P

Sharp-crested weir

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

P = height of weir, and
Q = rate of flow
Weirs can be classified into various types, based on width of their crests
and openings of 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 thickness of the crest is more than 60% of
nappe's thickness.
Weirs can also be categorised into submerged and non-submerged weirs.
5.3.1 Rectangular Weir
Rectangular weirs are divided into suppressed weirs and contracted
weirs.
A weir is suppressed when 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
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
C d = 1.06 1 +  for > 20
 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.
Activity 5.3
A sharp-crested weir installed in a rectangular channel is
discharging flow under a head of 0.2 m and Cd = 0.6. Calculate the
discharge if the following weir is used:
(i) 1-m width rectangular weir
(ii) Triangular notch with vertex angle 60o
(iii) 1-m bottom-width trapezoidal weir with side slope 1(H) : 1(V)
Rectangular channel, H1 = 0.2 m, Cd = 0.6. Find Q.
(i) Rectangular weir L = 1 m.
3
2
Q = C d 2g LH12
3 3
2
Q = × 0.6 × 2×9.81 ×1×0.22
3
Q = 0.1585 m3/s

(ii) Triangular notch with vertex angle 60o

5
8 θ
Q = C d 2g H12 tan
15 2
5
8
Q = × 0.6 × 2×9.81 ×0.22 × tan 30o
15
Q = 0.01464 m3/s
(iii) 1-m bottom-width trapezoidal weir with side slope 1(H) : 1(V)
3
2 4
Q = C d 2g H12 (L + H1 tanθ )
3 5
3
2 4
Q = × 0.6 × 2×9.81 × 0.2 1+ × 0.2 × tan45o
2
3 5
Q = 0.1838 m3/s
Activity 5.4
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
discharge of weir.

0.5 m

0.75 m

1.5 m
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
Contracted weir has weir length that is smaller than the width of
channel. Due to the presence of end contractions, effective length of
weir Le is smaller than actual length of weir L.

H1

Le P
L

B
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

30
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
2
 0.00451    H1  
C d =  0.607 +  1 + 0.55   Bazin formula
 H1    H1 + P  
Activity 5.5
A rectangular weir 0.75 m high and 1.5 m long is contracted at both
ends (n = 2). Estimate discharge if the weir is discharging water
from a tank under a head of 0.5 m.
Given P = 0.75 m, L = 1.5 m, H1 = 0.5 m, and n = 2
2
 0.00451    H1  
C d =  0.607 +  1 + 0.55  
 H1    H1 + P  
2
 0.00451    0 .5  
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
5.3.2 Triangular Weir
Discharge over a triangular weir with vertex angle θ, under a head H1 is
given as
5
8 θ
Q = C d 2g H1 tan 2
15 2
where, Cd = coefficient of discharge (= 0.58)

H1
θ

B
Activity 5.6
Calculate 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.
Given θ = 60°, H1 = 0.5 m, and Cd = 0.58

8 52 θ
Q = C d 2g H1 tan
15 2
5
8 60 
Q = × 0.58 × 2 × 9.81 × 0.52 tan
15 2

Q = 0.1398 m3 /s
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 2θ, where m = tan θ, i.e.
3
2 4
Q = C d 2g H1 (L + H1 tanθ )
2
3 5

H1
θ θ

L
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
Activity 5.7
A Cippoletti weir with width 0.5 cm is installed at a section of a
channel. Calculate the discharge when head over the crest is 0.25 cm.
Use Cd = 0.63.
Cippoletti weir with sides 1(H) : 4(V), L = 0.5 cm, H1 = 0.25 cm, Cd = 0.63

1
θ θ
H1
θ = tan−1   = 14.04 
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
5.4 Energy Dissipator Structure
Energy dissipator structures are commonly built at lower end of a
spillway to reduce 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 site location, dissipator structures, and
discharge through 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.
Type of stilling basin (US Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation - USBR, 1984)

Flow
Stilling basin type I

Flow
Stilling basin type II
 Flow
Stilling basin type III

Stilling basin type IV Flow

 Flow
Stilling basin type V

Stilling basin type VI Flow

 Flow

Stilling basin type VII

Stilling basin type VIII

 Flow

Stilling basin type IX

Flow

Stilling basin type X

USBR stilling basin type III
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
 Block A: Block B: Block C:
Chute blocks Baffle piers End sill
t3

s1 B
w1 No. of block A =
(s1 + w1 )
h1 w3
B
s3 No. of block B =
h3 1
(s3 + w3 )
1 h4
z3 z4
L2
L

Block A Block B Block C

h1 = y1 h3 = (0.168Fr1 + 0.63) y1 Fr L2 = 0.8y2
h4 =  1 + 1 y1
s1 = y1 s3 = 0.75h3  18  and
w1 = y1 w3 = 0.75h3 z4 = 2.0 L from chart
t3 = 0.2h3
where,
z3 = 1.0 Q
y1 =
BV1
Ho

H1

V1
y1
y2

H
V1 = 2g H1 − o 
 2 
y2 1
(
= − 1 + 1 + 8Fr12
y1 2
)
 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
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)

Activity 5.8
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.
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
Step 2. Determine length of basin L
From chart, 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)
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)

Fr 11.3 
h4 =  1 + 1 y1 =  + 1 0.4305 = 0.7008 m
 18   18 
z4 = 2.0
Activity 5.9
A 19.2-m wide rectangular spillway is discharging flood flow at a rate of
250 m3/s and depth of 1.2 m. At the toe of spillway, design a USBR Type
III stilling basin.
THANK YOU