MACRA2 2006 SOFTWARE

Macra2_2006_Eng Top

MACRA2 2006

MACRA 2 2006

MACRA2 2006 is a software to perform hydraulic and static checks of gabion weirs
and spillways. The software allows to check a wide number of flow conditions and
different types of gabion weirs (vertical drops, stepped or sloped weirs).
The results provided are applicable to Maccaferri products. The calculations may not be
realistic if other products are used .

Calculation of the hydraulic parameters

Macra 2 2006 uses the following scheme to determine the hydraulic parameters.

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MACRA2 2006 SOFTWARE

Calculation of z3 - uniform flow level downstream the weir

Uniform flow water level z3 downstream (Fig.1) is obtained using the Manning’s uniform
flow equation:

where z3 is a function of R and A. and the channel cross section is assumed to have a
trapezoidal shape:
A = Area of cross section

B = Wetted perimeter

R = Hydraulic radius

The variables used have the following meaning:

n = roughness coefficient (Manning)
i = river bed gradient.
f3 = bottom elevation of river bed
θr = channel bank slope on right side
θl = channel bank slope on left side
b = channel width

RECTANGULAR SHAPED CREST

Calculation of z0 – backwater elevation upstream

z0 is calculated using the equation for the broad crested weirs:

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Calculation of zg - water level on crest

For a rectangular shaped crest the development of a water critical depth on top of the
crest can be assumed. The elevation zg is assumed as 2/3 of the z0:

NON-RECTANGULAR SHAPED CREST

Calculation of zg - water level on crest

The critical velocity Vc is assumed to develop on the crest, hence a critical depth

will occur. The value of zg can be obtained by solving the equation of the
discharge Q, which can be expressed as:

where
Ag = cross section area on top of the crest

bg = width of free water surface

Lg = crest width
θg = angle of crest side slopes

Calculation of z0 – backwater elevation upstream

The backwater elevation z0 is obtained using the following equation:

under the condition of uniform flow.

SUBMERGED WEIRS

Calculation of z0 – backwater elevation

If z3 ≥ fg the weir is submerged.

NOTE: the submergeance is not the most severe condition for the weir. The most severe scenario will most
likely occur at a lower flow rate. It is advised to reduce the Q value until the condition of weir submergeance
stops occurring (z3 = fg). The condition of submergeance will instead be critical to determine the water levels
in relation to the channel conveyance, along with the water velocities and the related scouring effects.

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In this case z0 is calculated with a different equation, where the flow is obtained by two
components: a part which is not submerged and is calculated as a free fall, and a
second part calculated as a submerged component. The equation takes into account
velocity and kinetic energy of the upstream river section:

Calculation of fb - scour depth downstream the jump

In order to calculate the scour depth fb downstream of the jump, the equation proposed
by Schoklitsch is used:

The location of the maximum scour is determined using the trajectory equation of a
fallling object with a given height and initial horizontal velocity:

Calculation of zv and z1 - water level below the free fall and the supercritical
flow water level

A coefficient named as Drop number D is determined at first:

where q is the unitary discharge (m3/sec/m).

The values of zv and z1 may be obtained using Rand’s experimental equations:

STILLING POOL DESIGN

If the value of obtained is too high, three different alternatives of stilling pool with
rectangular shape may be considered:
Case 1 - Unlined stilling pool and counterweir;
Case 2 - Lined stilling pool with jump partially within basin and counterweir;
Case 3 - Lined stilling pool with jump totally within basin;

Case 1 - Unlined stilling pool and counterweir

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The presence of a counterweir will cause the formation of a water pool which will
provide an energy dissipation to the water fall. The effect of the water pool will reduce
the scour and the fb value.
This configuration will require the user to enter the following additional input data:
fc = counterweir elevation (input data)
Lc = counterweir crest width (assumed of rectangular shape)

Calculation of the increased z2 water level in presence of a counterweir

If the value of fc assumed for the counterweir is greater than the z3 water level
(uniform flow) downstream, the formula used to obtain the new z2 value in the pool will
be the same used for broad crested weirs as previously used for the main weir
structure:

If the value of fc assumed for the counterweir is lower than the z3 water level (uniform
flow), the counterweir is submerged. In this case the value z2 can be obtained using the
formula for submerged weirs as previously used for the main structure:

Calculation of reduced fb in presence of a counterweir

The value of is calculated using the Schoklitsh formula used previously, by changing
fb with the new value obtained.

Calculation of zv and z1 in presence of the counterweir

The Drop number D is determined at first:

where q is the unitary discharge (m3/sec/m).

The values of zv and z1 may be obtained using Rand’s experimental equations:

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Calculation of Lbas - stilling pool minimum required length

The stilling pool length (distance between the weir and the counterweir), using an
experimental equation [8] which yields:

Case 2 - Lined stilling pool: jump partially within the basin and counterweir

This configuration will require the user to enter the following additional input data:
fc = counterweir elevation (input data)
Lc = counterweir crest width (assumed of rectangular shape)
Lb = stilling pool width (assumed of rectangular shape)

and to set the value of fb to 0, since the stilling pool is supposed to be at the same
elevation as the river bottom downstream.

Calculation of zv and z1 in presence of the counterweir

The Drop number D is determined at first:

where q is the unitary discharge (m3/sec/m).

The values of zv and z1 may be obtained using Rand’s experimental equations:

Calculation of the increased z2 water level in presence of a counterweir

The value of z2 is initially obtained by using an experimental equation previously used:

If the counterweir is not required. Otherwise the minimum value fc required for
the counterweir shall be calculated and compared with the one assumed. This can be

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done using the equation for broad crested weirs as previously used for the main weir
structure:

If the value of fc obtained is lower than the z3 water level (uniform flow), the
counterweir is submerged. In this case the value fc shall be recalculated using the
formula for submerged weirs as previously used for the main structure:

If the fc minimum counterweir height is higher than the assumed value, a raise in the
counterweir effective height will be needed

Calculation of Lbas - stilling pool minimum required length

The stilling pool length Lbas is computed as a sum of two components:

where
L g1 = distance from the weir downstream face and the point of waterfall impact
Lg 2 = hydraulic jump length.

This configuration will require the user to enter the following additional input data:
fb = stilling pool bottom elevation
Lb = stilling pool width (assumed of rectangular shape)

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MACRA2 2006 SOFTWARE

Calculation of z1, z2 and fb

They are computed solving the head conservation equations between sections 0 and 1,
1and 2, 2 and 3:

Calculation of zv and z1

The Drop number D is determined at first:

where q is the unitary discharge (m3/sec/m).

The values of zv and z1 may be obtained using Rand’s experimental equations:

Calculation of Lbas - stilling pool minimum required length

The stilling pool length Lbas is computed as a sum of two lengths, that is:

Where Lg1 is the distance from the crest where the fast flow originates and is estimated
using an experimental equation [5], [6], [7] relevant to D:

whereas Lg2 is the hydraulic jump length:

Calculation of z3 - uniform flow level downstream the weir

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MACRA2 2006 SOFTWARE

Uniform flow water level z3 downstream is obtained using the Manning’s uniform flow
equation:

where z3 is a function of R and A. and the channel cross section is assumed to have a
trapezoidal shape:
A = Area of cross section

B = Wetted perimeter

R = Hydraulic radius

The variables used have the following meaning:

n = roughness coefficient (Manning)
i = river bed gradient.
f3 = bottom elevation of river bed
θr = channel bank slope on right side
θl= channel bank slope on left side
b= channel width

Calculation of z0 – backwater elevation upstream

z0 is calculated using the equation for the broad crested weirs:

Calculation of zg - water level on crest

For a rectangular shaped crest the development of a water critical depth on top of the
crest can be assumed. The elevation zg is assumed as 2/3 of the z0:

Calculation of y1, y2, and Lbas - water levels and stilling pool length

The other values are obtained using the experimental mathematical equations
Q
developed by CEMAGREF [9]: once the unitary discharge q= , the slope p and the
Lb
total height of the jump (weir) Hs are known, it is possible to find the supercritical flow
level at the toe of the weir y1 and the relative Froude number F, according to the
following empyrical equations:

where
a0, a1, a2, a3 and b0, b1, b2, b3 are functions of the slope angle p and of the specific
unitary discharge q, and they are:

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p Hs a0 a1 a2 a3 b0 b1 b2 b3

2 2 0.021504 0.157122 -0.01237 0.000989 5.76648 -0.96815 0.080381 0.0027

3 0.044887 0.104214 0.003851 -0.00085 5.788078 -0.28598 -0.09816 0.016242
4 0.057981 0.075646 0.010714 -0.00152 5.681363 0.245864 -0.23543 0.027243
5 0.040632 0.121731 -0.01546 0.001775 5.437576 0.87756 -0.43866 0.048709
3 2 0.035704 0.133533 -0.00139 -0.00027 4.954484 -0.57155 0.053053 -0.00301
3 0.038922 0.132202 -0.00993 0.000907 4.70822 0.272244 -0.21358 0.024649
4 0.04053 0.131537 -0.00142 0.001495 4.501033 0.775247 -0.3442 0.035791
5 0.0418 0.142001 -0.02214 0.002456 4.373297 1.008059 -0.37836 0.037393
4 2 0.1 0.101667 0.01 -0.00167 3.4 0.341667 -0.195 0.023333
3 0.07 0.143333 -0.015 0.001667 3.27 0.72 -0.28 0.03
4 0.08 0.133333 -0.015 0.001667 3.15 0.976667 -0.33 0.033333
5 0.08 0.115 -0.005 -2.80E-17 3.19 1.008333 -0.295 0.026667

The formulas are applicable to some specific slope angles p, and specific unitary
discharges q and heights Hs :
for q = 0.5 ÷ 5;
for p = 1/2, 1/3, 1/4;
for Hs = 2m, 3m, 4m, 5m.

Given y1 and F the user may calculate the subcritical flow level y2 as follows:

thus obtaining, from the following equation, the stilling pool length Lbac :

if the jump is totally within the basin, its depth fb will be:

if, instead, the jump is partially within the basin, the program determines the
counterweir height fc by using the equation for the broad-crested rectangular weir,
assuming that the discharge Q runs through the counterweir:

anyway, if fc < z3 it is necessary to calculate again fc by using the submerged weir

equation, therefore yields:

If the jump is totally within the basin, then:

and

if, on the other hand the jump is partially within the basin, being fb equal to zero:

and

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MACRA2 2006 SOFTWARE

Calculation of z3 - uniform flow level downstream the weir

Uniform flow water level z3 downstream is obtained using the Manning’s uniform flow
equation:

where z3 is a function of R and A. and the channel cross section is assumed to have a
trapezoidal shape:
A = Area of cross section

B = Wetted perimeter

R = Hydraulic radius

The variables used have the following meaning:

n = roughness coefficient (Manning)
i = river bed gradient.
f3 = bottom elevation of river bed
θr = channel bank slope on right side
θl= channel bank slope on left side
b= channel width

Calculation of z0 – backwater elevation upstream

z0 is calculated using the equation for the broad crested weirs:

Calculation of zg - water level on crest

For a rectangular shaped crest the development of a water critical depth on top of the
crest can be assumed. The elevation zg is assumed as 2/3 of the z0:

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Calculation of z1 - water level at the downstream toe

In order to calculate z1, the Chanson theory [10], relevant to the development of the
nappe flow and skimming flow is applied. The dconset value is calculated first as the flow
pattern which develops above the stepped spillway:

if the skimming flow pattern develops

if the nappe flow pattern develops

if is an intermediate flow condition for which no

experimental studies are available, therefore, by varying h or l the program will refer
to one of the above flow conditions.
Once the flow pattern has been determined, the reduction coefficient α must be
computed:

in the case of nappe flow becomes:

where the coefficient 4.2665 was obtained for aerated flows with a 60° step gradient,
which represents the worst flow condition.

Once α has been determined, it is possible to find the head at the toe of the structure
and therefore considering the head conservation, z1 may be estimated as:

For jumps partially within the basin, the conventional equation of the hydraulic jump is
used, and z2 obtained as the conjugate subcritical flow level:

whereas the counterweir crest level is obtained by the broad crested rectangular weir
equation, assuming that Q flows through the counterweir:

If fc < z3 it is necessary to recalculate fc using equation:

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The stilling pool length must be eventually calculated, using the hydraulic jump
length assuming that the water nappe falls directly at the toe of the weir, since most of
the flow energy is dissipated along the stepped spillway:

If the jump is totally within the basin, the following equationsshall be must be solved,
keeping into consideration the upstream total head loss. Therefore (34) is replaced by
(46)

Even in this case, to solve the system of equations, it is necessary to simplify the first
equation which becomes:

Then the stilling pool length is calculated as:

STATIC CHECKS

Introduction

Gabions are by nature permeable media. Their ability to act as a natural filter is
ensured by the rock filling the baskets. However their filtration capacity may change
over time and their permeability reduce, in relation to the type of fines and seepage
flow generated thru the backfill soil over the time.

The degree of permeability is therefore associated to the likelihood for the structure to
reduce its filtering ability in the long term. This effect will be taken into account by
making a percentage estimate of the permeability reduction in a given number of
years.
The schematic of the weir and the related forces is reported below:

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Calculation of forces and moments acting on the structure

Soil thrust

Hydrostatic pressure

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Weights
γgi varies depending on whether the gabion course is submerged or not.
If the gabion is submerged: otherwise

Soil weight

Water weight
The water flowing upstream acts with its weight on the weir with stabilizing effects. the
water unit weight Pw (kN) is calculated, to be on the safe side, considering that the
critical flow level extends over the entire weir

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Uplift pressure

Calculation of the resulting forces and moments

Stability analysis

where Cb has the following values depending on the size of the river bed material:

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Check for the foundation bearing capacity.

Stability check against uplift pressure

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Ven Te Chow "Open-channel hydraulics" McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959.

[2] R. B. F. Martins “Contribution to the knowledge on the scour action of free jets on
rocky river beds” Trans. of the 11th International Congress on Large Dams, Vol. II,
Madrid, 1973.
[3] P. J. Mason e K. Arumugam “Free jet scour below dams and flip buckets” ASCE Jour.
Hydr. Engrg., Vol.113, No.9, 1987.
[4] A. Schoklitsch “Kolkbindung unter Ueberfallstrahlen” Die Wasserwirtschaft, No. 24,
1932.
[5] W. L. Moore “Energy loss at the base of a free overfall” Trans. ASCE, Vol. 108, 1943.
[6] B. A. Bakhmeteff, N. V. Feodoroff “Discussion on energy loss at the base of a free
overfall” Trans. ASCE, Vol. 108, 1943.
[7] W. Rand “Flow geometry at straight drop spillways” Paper 791 ASCE, Vol. 81, 1955.
[8] Federal Highway Administration "Hydraulic design of energy dissipators for culverts and
channels" Washington, 1975.
[9] CEMAGREF "Etude de la dissipation de l' energie sur les deversiors en gradins de
gabions" E.N.I.T.R.T.S., Strasbourg, 1990.
[10] H. Chanson "Hydraulic design of stepped cascades, channels, weirs and spillways"
Pergamon, Australia , 1994.

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