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DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY

DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF
A SKI-JUMP BUCKET WITH A
WEDGE—A CASE STUDY
a b
R. C. Jadhav & P. B. Deolalikar
a
Central Water and Power Research Station , Pune ,
411 024
b
Central Water and Power Research Station , Pune ,
411 024
Published online: 07 Jun 2012.

To cite this article: R. C. Jadhav & P. B. Deolalikar (2000) DESIGN OF

SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET WITH A
WEDGE—A CASE STUDY, ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 6:1, 12-19, DOI:
10.1080/09715010.2000.10514660

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09715010.2000.10514660

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 (12) VOL. 6, (I)

THE INDIAN SOCIETY FOR HYDRAULICS

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF

A SKI-JUMP BUCKET WITH A WEDGE - A CASE STUDY
by
R. C. Jadhav 1 and P. B. Deolalikar

ABSTRACT
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Hydraulic model studies were carried out for evolving a suitable design of energy dissipator
for spillway of Chandil dam, Bihar. The originally proposed design of the energy dissipator
was slotted roller bucket. The model studies with this design indicated the necessity of modi-
fying the design of energy dissipator in order to ensure proper energy dissipation and accept-
able flow conditions in the river downstream of spillway. A modified design of the energy
dissipator in the form of ski-jump bucket with a wedge near the lip was evolved after extensive
hydraulic model studies.

KEY WORDS : Spillway, Ski-jump, Chandil dam, Energy dissipation.

INTRODUCTION

The Chandil dam is a component of the Subernarekha Multipurpose Project located about
40 km upstream of Jamshedpur town in the district of Singbhum, Bihar. The project on comple-
tion would provide irrigation benefits to an area of 2.4 lakh ha of land in the state of Bihar,
Orissa and West Bengal. It would also provide for incidental power generation of I 0 MW and
drinking water supply to Jamshedpur town.

The project comprises a composite dam 52 m high and 720 m long across the river
Subernarekha. The plan and section of the spillway are shown in Fig. I. The spillway consists
of 13 spans of 15m wide each with crest at El. 177.00 m. The flow over the spillway is
regulate by radial gates of size 15m x 16m. The maximum outflow discharge of the spillway
is 21,338 cumecs corresponding to a maximum reservoir water level at EI. 192.15 m. The
energy dissipation arrangement downstream of the spillway was provided in the form of a
slotted roller bucket.

Hydraulic model studies were carried out for evolving suitable design of the energy
dissipator. The studies were carried out on I :50 geometrically similar scale sectional and
I: I 00 geometrically similar scale comprehensive model of the spillway. Studies were con-
ducted for the original design of the energy dissipator as shown in Fig. 2. In order to evolve.
suitable design of the energy dissipator an alternative design of the roller bucket and six alter-
native designs of ski-jump buckets were also studied on the model.
I. Senior Research Officer, Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune - 4 I I 024.
2. Chief Research Officer, Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune- 41 I 024.
Note : Written discussion of this paper will be open until 30th June, 2000.
ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING. VOL. 6, 2000. NO. I
 VOL. 6, (I) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET (13)

TOP OF' DAN

EL196-00m

UPSTREAN ElEVATION
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PLAN

FIG. 1 LAYOUT PLAN AND UPSTREAM ELEVATION OF SPILLWAY

El.1,8.()0
MWL D..192 -1~
Fih.E L.189·00

CRESTEL.177-00
""'--
tOJL EL.174 ·70

I· ~ SPILLWAY OVERFlOW 5ECTIOIII

SPILLWAY OVERF'LOW SECTIOIII IREVISEDl
IORIGIIIIALI
AXISOFOAM, -l fTOPOF'OAM E1..196·00

I~I···J.IJ sPILLWAY PLAIII

FIG. 2 SLOTTED ROLLER BUCKET ENERGY DISSIPATOR

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, VOL. 6. 2000, NO. I

 (14) DESIGN OF SPIU.WAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET VOL. 6, (I)

The sectional model was constructed incorporating one and half spans of the spillway. The
scour pit of mixed sand having d 50 of 2 mm, to represent mobile bed was provided for a
distance of 220 m downstream from the dam axis. The alternative designs were studied for
various aspects such as water surface profile, pressure distribution, scour pattern and flow
conditions downstream of the energy dissipator. This paper describes the studies carried out
for alternative designs of energy dissipator.

STUDIES FOR SLOTTED ROLLER BUCKET

Original Design
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The original design of the slotted roller bucket is shown in Fig. 2. The invert level of the
bucket was at El. 142.60 m and the lip angle of 45 degree with radius of 18m. Studies indi-
cated that the performance of the bucket was not satisfactory as sufficient tail water was not
available for all the discharges as shown in Fig. 3. Also heavy negative pressures of the order
of - 6 m to - 8 m of water were observed on the sloping portion and downstream vertical
portion of the teeth of the bucket. In view of this it was considered necessary to lower the
invert of the roller bucket.

1G6

~MIN FOR NVE~ T LE\ EL E • 142· Om ~ ./

v
v
164

f
2:
z
1G2

1GO
TAIL ¥ATE LE' EL C RYE

/
~

~
/

-~
~-:::::. --- -
In
~
/
/ ...... - :;::.-
1-- .-...-

""
>
""a:
~
158

15G
/v
t:·.,...
....... "'...... /·
........

...""
Cl /~;: \ lu1. " ~nJ fN\o ~DT ~VJ:'J J:' I 1 ~q.,;n ...
~
154
,·
~

...
Cl ~~
152
v
150
( 8 , ,
2 4 6
DISCHARGE X 1000 CUMECS
10
'2 ''-----<• 6 8 20 22

FIG. 3 TAIL WATER RATING CURVES

Revised Design

In order to ensure sufficient submergence the invert of the original slotted roller bucket
was lowered by three meters from El. 142.60 m to El. 139.60 m as shown in Fig. 3. The

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, VOL. 6, 2000, NO. I

 VOL. 6, (I) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET (15)

average level of the river bed just downstream of the spillway is at El. 150.91 m, whereas the
invert level of the proposed slotted roller bucket is at El. 139.60 m. This implies extensive
excavation in hard rock and also involves large volume of concrete works. Both these together
increase the cost of the project substantially and also the period of construction.

The computed curve for tail water level (Tmin) as shown in Fig. 3 is below the actual tail
water level upto 16,000 cumecs. However, it was observed that the performance of the roller
bucket was satisfactory for the discharges upto 10,000 cumecs upto 21,338 cumecs the roller
action in the bucket region was very weak and ground roller information was inadequate,
causing a secondary hydraulic jump downstream of the bucket. It was also observed that nega-
tive pressures of the order of- 5 m of water were occurring on the sloping and downstream
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vertical portion of the teeth.

Table I shows the percentage of energy dissipation obtained in both the alternative designs
of slotted roller bucket and the assessment of cavitation index on the teeth of the bucket. As
could be seen from Table 1, energy dissipation in revised design was of the order of 69%. The
cavitation index of the of the order of 0.11 was indicative of potential cavitation damage.

TABLE-I

SLOTTED ROLLER BUCKET

(A) ORIGINAL DESIGN

Discharge Maximum Chainage Velocity Energy Minimum Cavitation
m cumecs Scour from Dam at Ch. 200 Dissipa- Pressure on Index
Axis from Dam tion the Sloping
Axis Portion of
the Teeth
21,338 El. 117.50 m 185 5.82 rnls 46% -8 0.04
15,000 El. 122.60 m 150 2.04 rnls 50%

(B) REVISED DESIGN

21,338 El. 123.60 m 120 4.30 rnls 69% -5 0.11
15,000 El. 138.65 m 95 4.20rnls 66%

Po-Pv
CAVITATION INDEX= K = vz /lg
P0 = Absolute pressure at a point
= Gauge pressure + atmospheric pressure in meter of water
Pv = Vapour pressure in meter of water
V = Velocity in rnls at the point in equation

In view of these observations, it was considered that roller bucket was not suitable in the
present case. It was therefore decided to provide a ski-jump bucket for energy dissipator.

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING. VOL. 6, 2000. NO. I

 (16) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET VOL. 6, (I)

STUDIES WITH SKI-JUMP BUCKET

A design of the ski-jump bucket was worked out as per IS 7365-1985 and is shown as
original design of the ski-jump bucket in Fig. 4. The design comprises bucket invert at El.
150.00 m having radius of 15m and lip angle of35 degrees. Various observations in respect of
performance of the ski-jump bucket are described in following paragraphs.
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ALTERNATIVE-I
ORIGINAL
ALTERNATIVE-II

ALTERNATIVE·lV
ALTERNATIVE-m ALTERNATIVE-V

1- AXIS OF DAM
114\NL EL192.1S I
I
a.,,e.oo
---
EL.I 94.00

FR L.EL. 18 9•00
..."'u
STOPLOG GROOVE
ex

CREST EL.177. 00
DETAILS OF WED&E AT' A'

EL.169·s0

,
zoj,

EL.144.00
1271S I-------6JS07

FIG. 4 ORIGINAL AND ALTERNATIVE OF SKI-JUMP BUCKET

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, VOL. 6, 2000, NO. I

 VOL. 6, (I) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET (17)

Original Design

Studies were conducted for the original design of the bucket as shown in Fig. 4. For the
maximum design discharge of 21,338 cumecs with full gate open for corresponding tail water
level, negative pressures of the order of- 3 m to- 7 m of water were observed at the exit of the
bucket and on top of the lip. Apex of ski-jump jet trajectory and maximum scour depths were
observed and are presented in Table 2. It was found that for maximum discharge the ski-jump
jet was suppressed by partial vacuum air pocket in between spray jet and tail pool below. The
air pocket was swelling and shrinking periodically moving forward and backward from lip
intermittently. As such, the performance of the original design of the ski-jump bucket was
considered not satisfactory.
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Alternative Designs

In order to reduce the negative pressures at the exit of the bucket and on the lip, and to
ensure better performance of ski-jump jet for various discharges, five alternative designs of
the bucket were studied as shown in Fig. 4.

Table 2 gives the results of all the alternative designs of ski-jump bucket and pertinent
results are discussed below.

TABLE-2

SKI-JUMP BUCKET

Layout Dis- RWL TWL ATEI. Chain- Maxi- Chain- Mini- Cavita-
Design charge mm inm inm age mum age mum tion In-
cumecs from Scour from Nega- dex K
Dam El. in Dam tive
* Axis m Axis Pressure
Original Ql Rl Tl 171.95 90 119.50 150 7.0m 0.075
Q2 R2 T2 169.85 90 130.75 150
Alter. I Ql Rl Tl 167.80 80 126.10 140 8.0m 0.053
Q2 R2 T2 166.70 80 131.50 140
Alter. II Ql Rl Tl 170.95 90 121.40 160 6.0m 0.105
Q2 R2 T2 169.85 90 130.00 160
Alter. III Ql Rl Tl 169.80 90 121.95 170 4.3 m 0.148
Q2 R2 T2 166.20 90 131.00 150
Alter. IV Ql Rl 1J 164.90 90 124.95 170 3.4m 0.164
Q2 R2 T2 162.95 90 131.25 140
Alter. V Ql Rl Tl 169.60 90 126.50 170 0.8m 0.22
Q2 R2 T2 165.95 90 130.25 150

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, VOL. 6, 2000, NO. I

 (18) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN THE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET VOL. 6, (I)

LEGEND:
Discharge Reservoir Water Level Tail Water Level
Q1 = 21,338 cumecs R 1 =El. 192.15 m T1 =El. 161.23 m
Q2 =15,000 cumecs R2 =EI. 189.00 m T2 = El. 159.23 m
* AT =Apex of Trajectory
Alternative Design • I to IV

Studies were conducted with alternative designs I, II, III, and IV for the entire range of
discharges upto the maximum discharge of21 ,338 cumecs. With these modifications the nega-
tive pressures observed at the exit of the lip were reduced from - 8 m to- 3 m of water for the
maximum discharge of 21,338 cumecs. There were no appreciable difference in the level of
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the apex of trajectory for all these alternative designs. In alternative design III and IV the
formation of partial vacuum below the ski-jump jet was considerably reduced. However, it did
not contribute in reducing negative pressures.

Alternative Design • V

In this design the radius of the bucket was 25 m and lip angle was increased to 32. 5
degrees having bucket invert level at El. 148.00 m. The section of the spillway with this design
of ski-jump bucket is shown in Fig. 4. Also, a wedge was introduced at the exit of the bucket,
near the lip as shown in Fig. 4. Such a wedge was incorporated in the design of the ski-jump
bucket of Guri dam (Chavarri et al., 1979). This modification reduced the negative pressures
at the exit of the bucket.

CONDITION ; GATE OPENING : FULL LEGEND: PROFILES

DISCHARGE
R.W.L. EL.
= 21ll8
= 192·1~ m
m}s
WITH LIP ANGLE 37-S
.
T.W.L.EL. .. I 61·23 m I ALTERNATIVE Y I
------ WITH LIP ANGLE 35~0
E L.171·9Sm I ORIGINAL LAYOUT I
I
U_[1~-~~- fO !" I
180
I.E .17J.OO In ! _I

165
EL.165o0 ll ~
1ns .S' , v
./:,..
!
;---.::_-
~If-~t'" 'I'"""I I
~----- :.--- ---- -----I -- --
~ i
"'
..."'a:
"'::1 150
IYll- 135
' ' [\( 1.'1 IP EL.15
~- .~
·71m !
LF EU5 ·91m --- -

:·I·,~ l ' l
i
~·--I ~ SCO~R
l: PROtiLES·""

---
z IQ,o<o 1...
IJS
...oct
!?
'•.,J t±--~ rEI .126·50
- -
>
"'.... 120
--- ---- -- ---
"' 112
T
25 40 55 70 85 100 115 '
130 145 160 175 190 205

CHAINAGE IN METRES -

FIG. 5 WATER SURFACE AND SCOUR LEVEL PROFILES

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, VOL. 6, 2000. NO. I

 VOL. 6, (I) DESIGN OF SPILLWAY ENERGY DISSIPATOR IN 'mE FORM OF A SKI-JUMP BUCKET (19)

In this design the minimum negative pressure was found upto- 0.8 m of water for the lower
discharges upto 5,000 cumecs and corresponding tail water levels. It was found that for higher
discharges and corresponding tail water levels, pressures were positive. The tail water rating
curve is higher for almost all the discharges. It was observed that the tail water depth realised
belPw the ski-jump jet was lower than the actual tail water level by 4 to 6 m.

It was observed that submerged ski action was prevailing for discharges higher than 16,000
cumecs. However, for discharges lower than 16,000 cumecs and· corresponding tail water
levels, free ski-jump jet action was observed with sufficient free air beneath the ski-jump jet
near the lip, though the lip was submerged by tail pool periodically.
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The water surface and scour profiles for the ski-jump bucket for original and altemati ve V
are compared in Fig. 5. It could be seen that alternative design Vis more efficient in respect of
scour which is away from the lip of the bucket and water surface profile had fever undulations.

Various parameters i.e. cavitation index, apex of ski-jump trajectory, deepest scour, its
distance from the lip of the bucket and minimum negative pressure are shown in Table 2. It
was also observed that cavitation index for the minimum negative pressure of- 0.8 m of water
on the top of the lip worked out to be 0.22. In view of the above mentioned observations
alternative design V was found to be satisfactory and as such recommended for adoption.

CONCLUSIONS

The alternative design V i.e. final design of the ski-jump bucket having a wedge near the
lip of the bucket evolved after conducting extensive model studies, ensured satisfactory hy-
draulic performance of the ski-jump bucket energy dissipator for entire range of discharges.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are grateful to Dr. B. U. Nayak, Director, CWPRS and Shri R. M. Khatsuria,
Joint Director, CWPRS, Pune for the constant encouragement and kind permission to publish
this paper. Discussions with the members of the Dam Safety Panel and other engineers of the
Chandil Dam Spillway, Subernarekha Multipurpose Project, are gratefully acknowledged.
Assistance rendered by Shri S. R. Malvadkar, Laboratory Assistant during the various phases
of studies is also acknowledged.

REFERENCES

Chavarri, G., Louie, D. S., Castille, J. 0. and Coleman, H. W. (1979). Spillway and Tail Race
Design for Raising of Guri Dam using Large Scale Hydraulic Model. Thirteenth International
Congress on Large Dams, New Delhi, Voi.III.

ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING. VOL. 6. 2000. NO. I