MINI DESIGN PROJECT 1:

DESIGN OF A SPILLWAY GATE OF A DAM

by Nicodemus Paul (1166125)

Friday, February 5, 2010

MEC E 330 LAB H2 (Wednesday)

University of Alberta
February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Objective

Design the spillway gate of a dam to contain water above the spillway crest, while providing a

convenient method to open the gate in case of flood.

Given Data

• Elevation of spillway crest = 2090.0 ft

• Normal high-water elevation = 2110.0 ft

• Span of piers = 30.0 ft

• Working fluid is water.

Assumptions

• The length of the gate does not exceed the span of the piers.

• The top of the gate is not required to exceed the normal water level.

• The bottom of the gate does not extend below the spillway crest elevation.

• The working fluid is incompressible.

• Atmospheric pressure acts equally on both sides of the gate.

• Compared to water, atmospheric pressure does not vary significantly with elevation.

ft
• Acceleration due to gravity is constant: g = 32.174
s2

• Atmospheric conditions are constant: T = 293 K; P = 1 atm

€ kg
• The density of the water is constant: ρ = 998 3
m
€

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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Schematic

Roadway

Spillway Gate

20.0 ft ytop

Hinge

y yhinge

ybottom Spillway Crest

The spillway gate has a maximum length of 30.0 ft into the page.

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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Analysis

In the event of a flood, water must be discharged as quickly as possible in order to prevent

damage to the dam structure. When open, a larger gate area will produce a greater flow rate.

Thus, a flat rectangular plate is used. The length of the gate is restricted by the span of the piers

(30.0 ft). The height of the gate is restricted by the height of the spillway crest (2090.0 ft) and

the normal water level (2110.0 ft).

L = 30.0 ft
H = 2110.0 ft − 2090.0 ft = 20.0 ft
A = L⋅ H = ( 30.0 ft )(20.0 ft ) = 600 ft 2

It is necessary to determine the total force applied by the water. According to Pascal’s Law, the

pressure at a depth h€below the free surface is

P = Patm + ρgh

Atmospheric pressure acts on each side of the gate and is therefore neglected. The net pressure

applied to the gate is €

P = ρgh

By the definition of pressure, the resultant force is given by the product of the pressure at the

centroid of the surface and the area€of the surface,

FR = Pc A

The centroid of the surface is given by

€ 1
yc =
A
∫ A
y dA

The resultant force acts through the centre of pressure. Employing the Parallel Axis Theorem,
€ Ixx,c
y p = yc +
yc A

€
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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

For a vertical rectangular plate whose top edge is horizontal and at the free surface,

1
yc = (y + y bottom
2 top
)

ρgLH 2
FR = [ P0 + ρg( s + b /2) sin θ ] ab =
2

b b2 2H
yp = s + + =
2 12[ s + b /2 + P0 /( ρgsin θ )] 3

Plugging in values,

1€
yc = (20.0 ft + 0)
2

⎛ ⎛ ⎞
0.062428 lbm 3 ⎞⎜ ⎟⎛
⎛ kg ⎞⎜ ft ⎟ 1 lbf ft ⎞ 2
⎜998 3 ⎟⎜
kg ⎟⎜ ft ⎟⎜ 32.174 2 ⎟( 30.0 ft )(20.0 ft )
⎝ m ⎠⎜ 1 ⎟⎜ 32.174 lbm ⎟⎝ s ⎠
⎝ m3 ⎠⎝ s 2
⎠
FR =
2

2(20.0 ft )
yp =
3

y c = 10.0 ft
€ FR = 3.74⋅ 10 5 lbf
y p = 13.3 ft

Thus, the resultant force of the water has a magnitude of 3.74⋅105 lbf and acts at a distance of
€
13.3 ft from the free surface. If the hinge is placed in the same position on the opposite side of

the gate, there is no net moment. In the event of a flood, the water level will rise, causing the

line of action of the resultant force to shift upward. This will produce a moment about the hinge

axis, causing the gate to swing open and allow water to flow.

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 February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

However, in the event of a low water level, the line of action of the resultant force will lower.

This would also cause rotation about the hinge axis. To prevent undesired discharge, a stop

should be placed at the bottom of the gate, on the side opposite to the reservoir.

Drawings

∑M H =0

€
FR H FH

x
Fy

Figure 1: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir at normal water level.

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 February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

∑M H <0

FR
€
H FH

x
Fy

Figure 2: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir flooded.

∑M H =0

€
H FH

FR
y
Fs
x
Fy

Figure 3: Free body diagram of gate. Reservoir below normal level. Force exerted by stop to

prevent undesired discharge.

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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Roadway

Spillway Gate

20.0 ft

Hinge

y 6.7 ft

Stop

Spillway Crest

Figure 4: Final design of the spillway gate. The gate has a length of 30.0 ft into the page.

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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Conclusions

The spillway gate of a dam was designed, given the normal reservoir level (2110.0 ft) and the

elevation of the spillway crest (2090.0 ft). In order to expedite discharge in the event of a flood,

the area of the gate was maximized. Considering the pier span of 30.0 ft, the gate was given a

length of 30.0 ft and a height of 20.0 ft. At a normal reservoir level, the water was found to

apply a force of 3.74⋅105 lbf to the gate at a distance of 13.3 ft from the free surface. In order to

balance forces and moments, the hinge was placed directly opposite to the resultant force.

The design assumptions are reasonable. Water is known to be an incompressible fluid.

Atmospheric conditions vary based on location. If the dam is built in Canada, lower

temperatures and icing conditions must be considered. Nevertheless, the principal quantities

used in the design of the gate, such as the acceleration due to gravity and the density of water, do

not vary widely with respect to environmental conditions. Overall, this model is robust.

The design is feasible and efficient. In the event of a flood, no human action is required.

Effectively, the additional weight of the water causes the spillway gate to open until the normal

level is restored. Due to its maximal area, the gate provides an optimal flow rate, reducing

potential damage to the dam structure.

In order to proceed with the design, detailed stress analysis must be completed. This will

allow for material selection and detailed design.

References

[1] Cengel, Y.A. (2010), Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed., pp. 76-

78 and pp. 88-93.

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February 5, 2010 MEC E 330 LAB H2 Paul, Nicodemus
Mini Design Project 1 1166125

Nomenclature

A Area of the gate

FH Force applied by hinge
FR Resultant force
Fs Force applied by stop
Fy Vertical force applied to gate
g Acceleration due to gravity
h Depth below free surface
H Height of the gate
Ixx,c Second moment of area about the x-axis passing through the centroid of the area
L Length of the gate
P Pressure
Patm Atmospheric pressure
Pc Pressure at the centroid
ybottom y-coordinate of bottom of the gate
yc y-coordinate of centroid of the gate
yhinge y-coordinate of hinge
yp y-coordinate of centre of pressure (from free surface)
ytop y-coordinate of top of the gate
ρ Density

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