9.

4 USBR Type VI Impact Basin

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Type VI impact basin was developed at the USBR Laboratory (ASCE, 1957). The dissipator is contained in a relatively small box-like structure
that requires no tailwater for successful performance. Although the emphasis in this manual is on its use at culvert outlets, the structure may also be used in open channels.
The shape of the basin has evolved from extensive tests, but these were limited in range by the practical size of field structures required. With the many combinations of discharge,
velocity, and depth possible for the incoming flow, it became apparent that some device was needed which would be equally effective over the entire range. The vertical hanging baffle,
shown in Figure 9.13, proved to be this device. Energy dissipation is initiated by flow striking the vertical hanging baffle and being deflected upstream by the horizontal portion of the
baffle and by the floor, creating horizontal eddies.
Notches in the baffle are provided to aid in cleaning the basin after prolonged periods of low or no flow. If the basin is full of sediment, the notches provide concentrated jets of water for
cleaning. The basin is designed to carry the full discharge over the top of the baffle if the space beneath the baffle becomes completely clogged. Although this performance is not good, it
is acceptable for short periods of time.
Figure 9.13. USBR Type VI Impact Basin

The design information is presented as a dimensionless curve in Figure 9.14. This curve incorporates the original information contained in ASCE (1957) and the results of additional
experimentation performed by the Department of Public Works, City of Los Angeles. The curve shows the relationship of the Froude number to the ratio of the energy entering the
dissipator to the width of dissipator required. The Los Angeles tests indicate that limited extrapolation of this curve is permissible.
Figure 9.14. Design Curve for USBR Type VI Impact Basin
Once the basin width, W B, has been determined, many of the other dimensions shown in Figure 9.13 follow according to Table 9.2. To use Table 9.2, round the value of W B to the
nearest entry in the table to determine the other dimensions. Interpolation is not necessary.
In calculating the energy and the Froude number, the equivalent depth of flow, ye = (A/2)1/2, entering the dissipator from a pipe or irregular-shaped conduit must be computed. In other
words, the cross section flow area in the pipe is converted into an equivalent rectangular cross section in which the width is twice the depth of flow. The conduit preceding the dissipator
can be open, closed, or of any cross section.
The effectiveness of the basin is best illustrated by comparing the energy losses within the structure to those in a natural hydraulic jump, Figure 9.15. The energy loss was computed
based on depth and velocity measurements made in the approach pipe and also in the downstream channel with no tailwater. Compared with the natural hydraulic jump, the USBR Type
VI impact basin shows a greater capacity for dissipating energy.
Although tailwater is not necessary for successful operation, a moderate depth of tailwater will improve the performance. For best performance set the basin so that maximum tailwater
does not exceed h3 + (h2/2) which is half of the baffle.
The basin floor should be constructed horizontally and will operate effectively with entrance conduits on slopes up to 15o (27%). For entrance conduits with slopes greater than 15o, a
horizontal conduit section of at least four conduit widths long should be provided immediately upstream of the dissipator. Experience has shown that, even for conduits with slopes less
than 15 degrees, it is more efficient when the horizontal section of pipe recommended for steeper slopes is used. In every case, the proper position of the entrance invert, as shown in
Figure 9.13, should be maintained.
If a horizontal section of pipe is provided before the dissipator, the conduit should be analyzed to determine if a hydraulic jump would form in the conduit. When a hydraulic jump is
expected and the pipe outlet is flowing full, a vent about one-sixth the pipe diameter should be installed at a convenient location upstream from the jump.
To provide structural support to the hanging baffle, a short support should be placed under the center of the baffle wall. This support will also provide an additional energy dissipating
barrier to the flow.
Table 9.2 (SI). USBR Type VI Impact Basin Dimensions (m) (AASHTO, 1999)
WB h1 h2 h3 H4 L L1 L2
1.0 0.79 0.38 0.17 0.43 1.40 0.59 0.79
1.5 1.16 0.57 0.25 0.62 2.00 0.88 1.16
2.0 1.54 0.75 0.33 0.83 2.68 1.14 1.54
2.5 1.93 0.94 0.42 1.04 3.33 1.43 1.93
3.0 2.30 1.12 0.50 1.25 4.02 1.72 2.30
3.5 2.68 1.32 0.58 1.46 4.65 2.00 2.68
4.0 3.12 1.51 0.67 1.67 5.33 2.28 3.08
4.5 3.46 1.68 0.75 1.88 6.00 2.56 3.46
5.0 3.82 1.87 0.83 2.08 6.52 2.84 3.82
5.5 4.19 2.03 0.91 2.29 7.29 3.12 4.19
6.0 4.60 2.25 1.00 2.50 7.98 3.42 4.60
Table 9.2 (SI). USBR Type VI Impact Basin Dimensions (m) (AASHTO, 1999) (continued)
WB W1 W2 t1 t2 t3 t4 t5
1.0 0.08 0.26 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.08
1.5 0.13 0.42 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.08
2.0 0.15 0.55 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.08
2.5 0.18 0.68 0.16 0.18 0.18 0.16 0.08
3.0 0.22 0.83 0.20 0.20 0.22 0.20 0.08
3.5 0.26 0.91 0.20 0.23 0.23 0.21 0.10
4.0 0.30 0.91 0.20 0.28 0.25 0.25 0.10
4.5 0.36 0.91 0.20 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.13
5.0 0.39 0.91 0.22 0.31 0.30 0.30 0.15
5.5 0.41 0.91 0.22 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.18
6.0 0.45 0.91 0.25 0.36 0.35 0.35 0.19
Table 9.2 (CU). USBR Type VI Impact Basin Dimensions (m) (AASHTO, 1999)
WB h1 h2 h3 h4 L L1 L2
4. 3.08 1.50 0.67 1.67 5.42 2.33 3.08
5. 3.83 1.92 0.83 2.08 6.67 2.92 3.83
 Table 9.2 (CU). USBR Type VI Impact Basin Dimensions (m) (AASHTO, 1999)
WB h1 h2 h3 h4 L L1 L2
6. 4.58 2.25 1.00 2.50 8.00 3.42 4.58
7. 5.42 2.58 1.17 2.92 9.42 4.00 5.42
8. 6.17 3.00 1.33 3.33 10.67 4.58 6.17
9. 6.92 3.42 1.50 3.75 12.00 5.17 6.92
10. 7.58 3.75 1.67 4.17 13.42 5.75 7.67
11. 8.42 4.17 1.83 4.58 14.58 6.33 8.42
12. 9.17 4.50 2.00 5.00 16.00 6.83 9.17
13. 10.17 4.92 2.17 5.42 17.33 7.42 10.00
14. 10.75 5.25 2.33 5.83 18.67 8.00 10.75
15. 11.50 5.58 2.50 6.25 20.00 8.50 11.50
16. 12.25 6.00 2.67 6.67 21.33 9.08 12.25
17. 13.00 6.33 2.83 7.08 21.50 9.67 13.00
18. 13.75 6.67 3.00 7.50 23.92 10.25 13.75
19. 14.58 7.08 3.17 7.92 25.33 10.83 14.58
20. 15.33 7.50 3.33 8.33 26.58 11.42 15.33
Table 9.2 (CU). USBR Type VI Impact Basin Dimensions (m) (AASHTO, 1999) (continued)
WB W1 W2 t1 t2 t3 t4 t5
4. 0.33 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.25
5. 0.42 1.42 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.25
6. 0.50 1.67 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.25
7. 0.50 1.92 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.25
8. 0.58 2.17 0.50 0.58 0.58 0.50 0.25
9. 0.67 2.50 0.58 0.58 0.67 0.58 0.25
10. 0.75 2.75 0.67 0.67 0.75 0.67 0.25
11. 0.83 3.00 0.67 0.75 0.75 0.67 0.33
12. 0.92 3.00 0.67 0.83 0.83 0.75 0.33
13. 1.00 3.00 0.67 0.92 0.83 0.83 0.33
14. 1.08 3.00 0.67 1.00 0.92 0.92 0.42
15. 1.17 3.00 0.67 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.42
16. 1.25 3.00 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.50
17. 1.33 3.00 0.75 1.08 1.00 1.00 0.50
18. 1.33 3.00 0.75 1.08 1.08 1.08 0.58
19. 1.42 3.00 0.83 1.17 1.08 1.08 0.58
20. 1.50 3.00 0.83 1.17 1.17 1.17 0.67
Figure 9.15. Energy Loss of USBR Type VI Impact Basin versus Hydraulic Jump

For erosion reduction and better basin operation, use the alternative end sill and 45o wingwall design as shown in Figure 9.13. The sill should be set as low as possible to prevent
degradation downstream. For best performance, the downstream channel should be at the same elevation as the top of the sill. A slot should be placed in the end sill to provide for
drainage during periods of low flow. Although the basin is depressed, the slot allows water to drain into the surrounding soil.
For protection against undermining, a cutoff wall should be added at the end of the basin. Its depth will depend on the type of soil present. Riprap should be placed downstream of the
basin for a length of at least four conduit widths. For riprap size recommendations see Chapter 10.
The Los Angeles experiments simulated discharges up to 11.3 m 3/s (400 ft3/s) and entrance velocities as high as 15.2 m/s (50 ft/s). Therefore, use of the basin is limited to installations
within these parameters. Velocities up to 15.2 m/s (50 ft/s) can be used without subjecting the structure to damage from cavitation forces. Some structures already constructed have
exceeded these thresholds suggesting there may be some design flexibility. For larger installations where discharge is separable, two or more structures may be placed side by side. The
USBR Type VI is not recommended where debris or ice buildup may cause substantial clogging.
The recommended design procedure for the USBR Type VI impact basin is as follows:
Step 1. Determine the maximum discharge, Q, and velocity, Vo and check against design limits. Compute the flow area at the end of the approach pipe, A. Compute equivalent depth, ye
= (A/2)1/2.
Step 2. Compute the Froude number, Fr, and the energy at the end of the pipe, Ho.
Step 3. Determine Ho/W B from Figure 9.14. Calculate the required width of basin, W B.
W B = Ho / (Ho/ W B)
Step 4. Obtain the remaining dimensions of the USBR Type VI impact basin from Table 9.2 using W B obtained from step 3.
Step 5. Determine exit velocity, VB = V2, by trial and error using an energy balance between the culvert exit and the basin exit. Determine if this velocity is acceptable and whether or not
riprap protection is needed downstream (see Chapter 10.)
HB = Q/(W BVB) + VB2/(2g) = Ho(1- HL/Ho)
This equation is a cubic equation yielding 3 solutions, two positive and one negative. The negative solution is discarded. The two positive roots yield a subcritical and
supercritical solution. Where low or no tailwater exists, the supercritical solution is taken. Where sufficient tailwater exists, the subcritical solution is taken