FIELD EXERCISE ON HYDRAULIC

STRUCTURE

LECTURE IN CHARGE:

Dr. R.L.H.L RAJAPAKSHA

NAME : Muthuhettige W.K

INDEX NO : 150412L

DATE OF SUB : 06/02/2019

INTRODUCTION
Hydraulic structures are very useful from the past, which are structures used to limit, divert, stop
or manage water flow. They are made using concrete, rocks and timber etc. materials. They are
submerged or partially submerged in water. Hydraulic structures must be capable of withstanding flow
conditions and forces caused by both static and flowing water loading. They must be so designed as to
last over their design life span and be resistant to deterioration, aging, forces due to weather extremes
and earthquakes. In designing a hydraulic structure, the designer chooses from many options available,
and from past experience, that particular design believed to be the most cost-effective, functional, and
safe.

GENERAL DETAILS OF THE RESERVOIR

Fig. 1: Maramba Wewa

I chose a reservoir in Akuressa near the village in Matara district, for this assignment. This is a small
reservoir called ‘Maramba Wewa’. This is controlled and maintained by Agrarian Service Department
and the villagers. Agriculture is the main livelihood of people in this village. There were 3 sluices, a
small bund and a spillway. There were some small canals connected to the reservoir.

Details of Reservoir;

➢ Co-ordinates : N 060 08’ 31.00”

E 800 24’ 615”
➢ High Flood Level : 11.572m (M.S.L)
➢ Full Supply Level : 11.272 m (M.S.L)
➢ Sluice Sill Level : 8.224 m (M.S.L)
➢ Tank Capacity : 148080.00 m3
➢ Command Area : 101.2 ha

Fig. 3 Location
Details of villager
▪ Name : Mr. Amara Sahabandu
▪ Contact no : 041 2284917
▪ Adress : Wewagawa, Medagoda Temple road , Maramba, Akuressa

Purpose of carrying out assignment

▪ Identifying hydraulic structures and their purposes

▪ Visit villagers and understanding the issues related to those structures
▪ Gaining more practical knowledge through field visits
SLUICE GATE

A sluice gate is generally provided, in the path of a river or a stream, to regulate the flow of
water. For doing so, the sluice gate is made to move up and down with the help of rollers fixed to the
vertical plates called skin plates, which travel on vertical rail called gauge.

▪ Manually opened gates

▪ Rectangular in shape
▪ Vertically rising gates
▪ Concrete hume pipes are used for sluice
▪ Gates are constructed in ‘cheenachatti’ in order to
protect from rust.
▪ Width of sluice gates- 1.5 m
▪ Inlet and outlet diameter of sluice- 9 inches
▪ Height from bottom to sluice- 1 ft.
▪ Hand railing in the foot bridge has been rusted for some extent
▪ Concrete slabs supported on the steel joists were broken at some places due to the lack of
maintenance
Even there are three sluice gates are existed, only one sluice is in operating condition. This has cleaned
and repaired before several years. So, as I observed there were some debris and plants have being at the
outlet of sluice. There is a height about 8 ft. from the bottom of the tank to the top. (At higher depths to
maximum level of capacity) But, due to debris and mud it has decreased the capacity as well. They have
to maintain as quickly as possible to stop deteriorating the main structures of the tank.

Canal which use to distribute water from sluice to paddy fields

Spill way

▪ It has been constructed with cement concrete

▪ It is provided with an apron of stones in a bed of 6 inches concrete
▪ Width of the apron in the approach side is 10 ft.
▪ Length of the apron in discharge side is 35 ft.
▪ This outlet is connected to Nilwala river through a canal.

• The spill has spilled in May 2017 due to occurring of high precipitation. But that spilling is not
much critical because that spilling water have directed to Nilwala river by small channel as
shown in diagram.
Lessons learnt from the assignment
Though this assignment I received the opportunity to visit a hydraulic structure and identify locations
and elements in a reservoir where we can use our own theoretical knowledge. Even though I have
visited several hydraulic structures I have never used my theoretical knowledge there to identify the
engineering aspects used within the construction. During my every visit to reservoir since it is located
near to my residence, I was not much concerned at least about its structural concepts or about the
elements within the reservoir. But this assignment I believe that I examined the reservoir with a broad
understanding. I gained more practical knowledge on process of those structures

Seepage and cracks in bund

In this reservoir bund is existed, but that area has fully covered with plants, trees and houses. There was no
seepage through the bund or any crack occurred. So, still it is I good condition considering those factors.
So, if they do not repair or maintain the reservoir bund well, there’s a possibility of having cracks as well.
Even though this is a small tank, agrarian service department has to pay more attention to save these
reservoirs and structures for the benefit of the people and the village.

Dead storage for environmental sustainability in driest seasons

Main function of the reservoir is to supply water for agriculture when the water in the main reservoir is no
sufficient. But, these days this is not much in use. But for driest seasons, it can be very useful if the
capacity is increased. Therefore, this must be repaired and reconstructed again and maintained well for the
benefit of environment and people. As well as the remaining two sluices are not in operational condition.
Since that, water supply for other locations has interrupted for five- six years. Hence , paddy cultivation of
this area is no more due to dry condition in cultivation period.
Return period

It is very important to safeguard the spillway and bund in the reservoir . At present the climate of the
country has changed considerably. The rainfall, patterns, duration and time periods have changed a bit.
Flooding in some areas have changed. Since this is small, spilling of reservoir doesn’t do much
damage to land, animals and people. But, it is better if this is repaired for a return period of 30-40 years
due to changing of climate patterns.

Important engineering aspects to be concerned

Bund design

Details about the rainfall pattern of the area from the villagers

Selecting suitable materials for the bund construction

Include necessary remedies to avoid seepage through the bund

Check the slope stability of the bund

Provide required compaction during bund construction

Perform necessary geotechnical investigations

Sluice design
Study about the water requirement in the vicinity

Villagers perspective about the selected locations suitability

Study the rainfall pattern within the area

Geotechnical investigation of the ground

Spillway
Details about the historical records on rainfall and flooding conditions in the area

Selecting a suitable location to construct the spillway

Proving a suitable stilling basin