SPILLWAYS AND ENERGY

DISSIPATORS
SPILLWAYS
 DEFINITION
• A spillway is a structure designed to 'spill' flood waters under
controlled safe conditions. so as to avoid the danger of the dam
being overtopped.
• Includes:
• Crest
• Chute
• Energy Dissipater
TYPES
• OVERFALL /STRAIGHTSPILLWAYS
• OVERFLOW(OGEE) SPILLWAS
• SIDE CHANNEL SPILLWAYS
• SIPHON SPILLWAYS
• SHAFT SPILLWAYS
• DROP INLET SPILLWAYS
• LABYRNITH SPILLWAYS
 OVERFALL SPILLWAY
➢ Water flows freely from the crest.
➢ An over-hanging lip is provided in order to direct small discharges away from the crest.
➢ The under side of the falling jet is ventilated so the jut doesn’t pulsate.

OVER HANGING LIP

VENTILATION

D/S PROTECTION
 OVER-FLOW (OGEE) SPILLWAY
• The overflow type spillway has a crest shaped in the form of an
ogee or S-shape . The upper curve of the ogee is made to
conform closely to the profile of the lower nappe of a
ventilated sheet of water falling from a sharp crested weir .
Flow over the crest of an overflow spillway is made to adhere
to the face of the profile by preventing access of air to the
underside of the sheet of flowing water.
• Used for concrete and masonry dam , specially in wider vallyes
, to ensure sufficient crest length

DISCHARGE THROUGH FREE-FALLING WEIR

 DESIGN OF OGEE SPILLWAY
• Units
• Gated / Ungated , Controlled/ Un controlled
• Flow (Discharge)
• Design Head
• High or low?
• Corrections
• Aeration
• Cavitation
DESIGN:
Design discharge over spillway ( Return Period)
Spillway Crest level

Approach Channel Bed Elevation

Spillway Height above approach channel

Floor level at down stream nappe End

Net Length of Spillway >>>> Effective Length??

𝐿𝑒 = 𝐿 − 2 𝐾𝑝 . 𝑁 + 𝐾𝑎 𝐻𝑒
Assumed Coefficient of Discharge

Total Energy head due to effective length

Reservoir water level at maximum discharge

Discharge intensity (q)

Acceleration due to gravity

Approach velocity (ha) = V2/2g

Head due to approach velocity

Effective head due to design discharge

0.12
𝐻𝑒 Effect of actual prevailing head on the
𝐶𝑑 = 2.18
𝐻0 discharge capacity
CORRECTIONS OF Cd
• DEPTH OF APPROACH:
Height of ogee weir to the design head ratio.
If > 1.33 ………………………High spillway
<= 1.33 …………………………Low spillway
Velocity of approach has a negligible effect
• U/S SLOPE:
 • D/S APRON INTERFERENCE:

ℎ𝑑 + 𝑑
> 1.7 D/S has a negligible effect on Cd
𝐻𝑒 but submergence should be noted
 WES EQUATION
D/S PROFILE

U/S PROFILE: WES EQUATION

EXTENDS UP-TO
SIDE CHANNEL SPILLWAY
• is one in which the control weir is placed approximately parallel to the
upper portion of the discharge channel.
Discharge characteristics of a side channel spillway are similar to
those of an ordinary overflow spillway and are dependent on the
selected profile of the weir crest. Although the side channel is not
hydraulically efficient, nor inexpensive, it has advantages which make
it adoptable to spillways where a long overflow crest is required in
order to limit the afflux (surcharge held to cause flow) and the
abutments are steep and precipitous.
 Q1 , V1
FLOW CONDITIONS???

Q2 , V2 Open channel , closed conduit or

inclined tunnel

SUBMERGED , FREE , TRANSITIONAL?

- For design considerations it’s required to have side channels of
sufficient capacity, so as to be able to carry the maximum flood
discharge without submerging the weir crest to an extent that the
weir discharge capacity is restricted.
- Design profile. The design of the side-channel spillway requires the
computation of water surface profile in the channel after the water
passes over the crest.
CONTROL SECTION : KNOWN VELOCITY , VELOCITY HEAD AND
CRITICAL DEPTH FOR A GIVEN DISCHARGE
DESIGN:
q = Q/total spillway length ➢ COMPUTATION OF WATER SURFACE PROFILE.
q = CH^3/2…….H=??? ➢ TROUGH is trapezoidal with side slope 0.5H : 1V with flat
➢ Bed slope (sub-critical conditions)
➢ The cross-section should have minimum width-depth ratio
To have best hydraulic performance.
TRAPEZOIDAL TROUGH
With a bottom width , side slopes ➢ There should be a transition between the trough D/S and
, bottom slope and a bottom elevation for the control section.
The U/S end ➢ Transition loss coefficient can be taken = 0.2.
➢ Bernulli equation will be applied between the two ends of
the transiotion .
➢ Trial and Error or Standard step method till bernulli
equation is satisified.

Yc = (q^2/g)^1/3
Vc = q/yc
Vc^2/2g
Transition losses = 0,2 * velocity head difference
𝒗𝟐 𝒗𝟐𝒄 𝒗𝟐𝒄 𝒗𝟐
CONTROL SECTION +𝒚= + 𝒚𝒄 + 𝟎. 𝟐 −
𝟐𝒈 𝟐𝒈 𝟐𝒈 𝟐𝒈
For transition , length , width
V= Q/A(trapezoidal)
Y , A , V , Transitional losses can be calculated
 DESIGN OF SHAFT SPILLWAY
- Williamson’s Design:
- According to Williamson, for shaft spillways, the
median line of the jet should be computed from the
following formulae.

𝒙 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟗 𝒚𝟎.𝟓
𝑹 𝟏
B=𝒒
𝒓 (𝟐𝒈𝒉)𝟎.𝟓
H = y + 0.55 H
- x & y are the coordinates of any point along the
median line.
- r = radius of the spillway at this point.
- q = discharge per unit length of the crest.
- B = normal thickness of the jet at any point.
- R = radius of the bell.
H = head over the crest.
DROP INLET (SHAFT / MORNING GLORY
SPILLWAY/BELL-MOUTHED)
- Water enters a horizontal crest , drops through a vertical or sloping
shaft, then flows to the d/s river channel through a horizontal or
nearly horizontal conduit or tunnel, may be excavated through the
foundation or flanks of the river valley.
- Suitable for narrow gorges where other types of spillways do not
find adequate space
- The lip of the spillway at the top is in the shape of the standard
crested spillway (circular weir).
SIPHON SPILLWAY
• is a closed conduit system formed in the shape of an inverted U, positioned
so that the inside of the bend of the upper passageway is at normal
reservoir storage level

CURVILINEAR FLOW AND ORIFICE

FLOW PRINCIPLES;
 SIPHON SPILLWAY
- The principle of operation of a siphon spillway
is based on siphonic action.
- Such a spillway occupies less space and
regulates the reservoir level within narrow
limits.
- Priming: When all the air entrapped within the
hood is driven out and space gets filled with
water.
- De-priming: This is best achieved by providing
a small air vent at the crest of the siphon.
 DESIGN OF SIPHON SPILLWAY
- Design Considerations:
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒅 𝒂 𝟐𝒈𝒉
- Throat. The depth of the throat is usually not greater
than three times the permissible flood rise The section
at throat is generally rectangular.
The width is governed by structural considerations.
- Crest. The crest profiles made circular with a moderate a = area of throat
radius large enough to give good discharge* but sharp h = head
enough to improve the priming capability of the 𝑪𝒅 = coefficient of discharge.
siphon. Q = Discharge
- Inlet area: This area is usually two times the throat
area.
- Area of the vent: It is normally 1/10 to 1/20 of the
throat area.
LABYRNITH SPILLWAY
• Used to provide added crest length for a given total spillway width ,
so that less head is required to pass the given discharge.
• Suitable is diversion canals , functions as auxiliary spillways , and
.whenever inflow design flood increases
DISCHARGE THROUGH SLUICE GATES
FLOW CONDITIONS

𝑸 = 𝑪𝑾𝑩 𝟐𝑮𝑯 𝑭𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾

𝑸 = 𝑪𝑾𝑩 𝟐𝑮𝟑𝑯 SUBMERGED FLOW

ENERGY
DISSIPATORS
DEFINITION :

Devices designed to protect downstream areas from erosion by

reducing the velocity of flow to acceptable limit.
Function :

1. protect riverbed and banks from erosion

2. protect dam and adjoining structures from undermining

Classification :

▪ Converting super critical flow to sub critical i.e flow by

hydraulic jump ( American and British standards)

▪ Aeration of jet and impact of water on the river bed .

Design Considerations
The design of a stilling basin structure involves:-
▪ Investigation of the river cross-section
▪ Determination of the water depth in the river
▪ Evaluation of the energy levels
▪ Definition of the downstream channel dimensions
▪ Calculation of flow depth and finally an analysis of
hydraulic jump in the stilling basin.
CASE A: TAILWATER COINCIDES WITH Y2 CURVE AT ALL DISCHARGES
CASE B: TAILWATER LIES ABOVE Y2 CURVE FOR ALL DISCHARGES

T.W.D > y2 USBR-Basin 5 :

CASE B: CONTINUED
ROLLER BUCKET
Wash away the scoured bed material
so as to prevent serious damage at
the toe of the dam
CASE C: TAILWATER LIES BELOW Y2 AT ALL DISCHARGES

T.W.D <Y2

SKI JUMP BUCKET

SLOPING APRON BELOW RIVER-BED
SUBSIDIARY DAM ,location ,shape ,
size determined by model studies

Suitable for low spillways , and

should be strong to withstand
impact of ice
CASE d : TWC lies above y2 at low discharges and below it at high discharges

Sloping apron partially above and

partially below the river bed
CASE d : TWC lies Below y2 at low discharges and above it at high discharges

Sloping apron partially above

and partially below the river
bed
Standard Stilling Basins :

• Economical alternative.
• Consist of concrete apron and auxiliary devices (chute
blocks , baffle piers and sills).
• Type depends on Froude number value (characteristics
of hydraulic jump).
Chute blocks:

• Provided at entrance of stilling basin.

• Flow is partially lifted therefore produce shorter jump length
• They help stabilizing the flow
Sills and dentated sills:
• Provided at end of stilling basin.
• They Diffuse residual portion of energy.
• Reduce length of the jump.
 baffle piers (friction blocks) :
▪ Provided with in the basin.
▪ Help in breaking flow and dissipate energy by impact .
▪ Useful in small structures.
 FR1 / TWD/D1/ LENGH OF JUMP/D1

USBR BASIN I
USBR STILLING BASIN II ( FR1>4.5)
USBR TYPE III FR1<4

BAFFLE PIER HEIGHT

USBR STILLING BASIN VI ( FR1 between 2.5
and 4.5)
USBR VII SLOTTED BUCKET
Baffled apron for canal or
spillway drops (USBR-Basin 9 ):
• Used at drops and canal wasteways.
• Require no initial tail water depth to be effective.
• The multiple rows of baffle piers on the chute prevent excessive
acceleration of the flow and provide a reasonable terminal velocity.