Dam Engineering & Appurtenant Structures (IENG-6041) Spillways & Its Design

CHAPTER FOUR

SPILLWAYS AND ITS DESIGN PRINCIPLE

4.1 INTRODUCTION

It is a structure constructed to pass surplus flood water on the D/S of reservoir and Dam.

Essential requirements of a spillway

 The spillway must have sufficient capacity.

 It must be hydraulically and structurally adequate.
 It must be so located that it provides safe disposal of water i.e., spillway discharge
will not erode or undermine the D/S toe of the dam.
 The bounding surface of spillway must be erosion resistant to withstand high
scouring velocity created by the drop from reservoir surface to tail water.
 Usually some devices are needed for energy dissipation on the D/S side of
spillway.

Spillway Capacity

The required capacity of spillway i.e., maximum outflow rate through spillway must
be determined by flood routing knowing:
(i) Inflow rate v/s time
(ii) Reservoir capacity curve (reservoir surface elevation v/s reservoir storage)
(iii) Discharge curve (out flow v/s reservoir water surface elevation).

However the required capacity of a spillway depends on the following factors:

(i) Inflow flood, I
(ii) Available storage capacity, S
(iii) Discharge capacity of outlet works, O
(iv) Whether gated or un-gated spillway
(v) Possible damage if a spillway of adequate capacity is not provided.

Note that large dam with inhabited area on the D/S side needs large protection. Whereas,
Small dams with uninhabited area on its D/S side needs limited protection.
Indians experience for fixing the spillway capacity is shown in the table below.
Class of Dam Gross storage (Mm3) Hydraulic head (m) Inflow flood for safety of dam
Small 0.5 to 10.0 7.5 to 12.0 100 years of flood
Intermediate 10.0 to 60.0 12.0 to 30.0 Standard Project flood (SPF)
Large > 60.0 > 30.0 Probable maximum flood (PMF)

However, floods of large or smaller magnitude may be used if the hazard involved in the
eventuality of a failure of a particular dam is high or low. A reservoir with larger storage
capacity will normally require a smaller out flow rate through the spillway. If the out

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flows through the spillway are supplemented by release through the outlets then the
required capacity of spillway may be reduced. For gated spillway more water is stored.
By proper operation of gate higher heads may be developed so that greater out flow
through the spillway is possible to pass the flood.

4.2. Types of Spillway

Classification based on the time when the spillways come into operation
(a) Main or service spillway
(b) Auxiliary spillway
(c) Emergency spillway

Main or service spillway

Main spillway is the one which comes into operation and is designed to pass the entire
spillway design flood.

Auxiliary spillway
It is provided as a supplement to the main spillway and its crest is so located that it comes
into operation only after the floods for which the main spillway is designed is exceeded.
Thus it is provided in conjunction with the main spillway. Conditions favorable for the
provision of auxiliary spillway are the existence of a saddle or depression along the rim
of the reservoir which leads into a natural water way. On the crest of auxiliary spillway
instead of a control gate a fuse plug (earth dam or dyke) may be provided, which allows
the water surface in the reservoir to rise above the crest of spillway and is so designed
That when overtopped it automatically washes out thus releasing excess flood water.

Emergency spillway
It is also provided in addition to main spillway but it comes into operation only during
emergency which may arise at any time which may not have been considered in the
normal design of main spillway. Some of the situations which may lead to emergency
are:
(i) an enforced shut down of the outlet works
(ii) A malfunctioning of spillway gates.
(iii) The necessity of bye passing the regular spillway because of damage or failure
of some part of the structure
(iv)Further an emergency may also arise if a recurring flood occurs before a previous
flood is evacuated by the main spillway and outlet works.

Emergency spillways are also provided in the saddles or depressions if available. It is

often provided as breaching section which is a portion of the dam with its crest lower
than the main dam and is so designed that it is washed out when the water in the reservoir
reaches a predetermined elevation. The breaching section is also called fuse plug spillway

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Classification according to flow through the spillway

(i) controlled or gated spillway
(ii) un controlled or un-gated spillway

Classification based on the prominent features pertaining to the various component

of the spillway:

The various components of a spillway are

 Control structure,
 Discharge channel
 Terminal structures – energy dissipaters
 Entrance & outlet channels.

With respect to control structures discharge channel etc, the spillway is classified
into following types.

(i) Free over-fall or straight drop spillway

(ii) Over flow or Ogee spillway
(ii) Chute or open channel or trough spillway
(iii) Side channel spillway
(iv) Shaft or morning glory spillway
(v) Conduit or tunnel spillway
(vi) Siphon spillway

4.3. Design principles of spillways

Free over fall or straight drop spillway

A free over fall spillway is the one for which the control structure is low height narrow
crested weir having its down face vertical or nearly vertical. The over flowing water may
be discharged as in the case of a sharp crested weir. Water, flowing over the crest, drops
as a free jet clearly away from the down stream face of the spillway. Occasionally the
crest of this spillway is extended in the form of an overhanging lip to direct small
discharges away from the D/S face.

Over flow or Ogee spillway

Overflowing water in this case is guided smoothly over the crest of the spillway and is
made to glide over the down stream face of the spillway.
The profile of the ogee weir is generally confined to the lower nappe that would be
obtained for maximum head over spillway. The control structure is a weir which is ogee
or S shaped.
The shape of such a profile depends upon the
Head

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The inclination of U/S face of the overflow section and

The height of the overflow section above the floor of the entrance channel.

The ogee profile should provide maximum possible hydraulic efficiency, structural
stability and economy and also avoid the formation of objectionable sub-atmospheric
pressure at the crest. The ogee profile may be categorized into three groups:
(i) Overflow dams with vertical U/S face

The following equation as given by U.S. corps of engineers may be used for finding
coordinates (X , Y) for the D/S profile

x1.85 = 2 (Hd) 0.85 y

Where X & Y are coordinates as shown in the figure and Hd is the design head.
For U/S profile following coordinates with origin at crest are recommended

(ii) Over flow dams with sloping U/S face

The D/S profile may conform to the following equation:

xn = K (Hd)n-1 y

Where: n., K are variable parameters which depends on the inclination of U/S face of the
dam. Hd is the design head. These are called standard “WES standard spillway shapes”
Values of constant K,n , R1,R2, a and b
Shape of K N R1/Hd R2/Hd a/Hd B/Hd
U/S face

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Vertical 2.000 1.850 0.5 0.20 0.175 0.282

3V: 1H 1.936 1.836 0.68 0.21 0.139 0.237
3V: 2 H 1.939 1.810 0.48 0.22 0.115 0.240
3V: 3H 1.873 1.776 0.45 0.00 0.119 0.000

The curved profile of the crest section is continued till it meets tangentially the straight
sloping portion of the overflow dam section (spillway).The slope of the d/s face of the
overflow dam usually varies in the range of 0.7(H):1(V) to 0.8:1 and is basically decided
on the basis of stability requirements. The location of the point of tangent depends upon
the slope of the d/s face, where the value of dy/dx for the curved profile and the straight
segment must be equal at the end of the sloping surface of the spillway. At the end of the
sloping surface a curved circular surface called BUCKET is provided to create a smooth
transition of flow from spillway surface to river.
The BUCKET is also useful for dissipation of energy and prevention of scour.
Radius R of the bucket may be obtained approximately by the following empirical
formula.
/
R = 0.305x10 (V+6.4H+4.88) (3.6H+19.52)

Alternatively, R = P/4
Velocity of flow may be approximated from the relationship (Neglecting the friction
losses on the spillway surface.
V= [2g(Z+Ha-y)]1/2
Where, Z= P+Hd is the total fall from u/s water level to the floor level at the d/s toe
Ha = Head due to velocity of approach.
y = tail water depth
Alternatively USBR formula, V= [2g(Z- 0.5 Hd)]1/2 can be used.
U/S profile of the Weir Crest
(a) Vertical U/S face: The u/s profile should be tangential to the vertical face and
should have zero slope at the crest axis to ensure that there is no discontinuity
along the surface of the flow. The u/s profile should conform to the following
equation:
y = {0.724 (x+ 0.270 Hd)1.85/(Hd )0.85 }+ 0.126 Hd - 0.4315(Hd)0.375(x + 0.270 Hd)0.625
Alternatively the u/s slope may be considered to consist of compound circular curve with
values of R1= 0.50 Hd and R2 = 0.20 Hd
The chord length up to R1 , and R2 is given as a = 0.175 Hd and b = 0.282 Hd

Discharge Computation of over ogee crest

The discharge over ogee spillway is computed from the basic equation of weir given
below:
Q = Cd L H1.5
Where, Q = Discharge in cumec
Cd = coefficient of discharge
L = effective length of overflow crest in meters
H = Head of over flow in meters including velocity of approach head.
H = Hd + H a

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Dam Engineering & Appurtenant Structures (IENG-6041) Spillways & Its Design

The discharge coefficient is influenced by a number of factors:

(i) Height of spillway above stream bed or depth of approach
(ii) relation of the actual crest shape to the ideal nappe shape
(iii) upstream face slope
(iv) downstream apron interference, and
(v) down stream submergence
(vi) Ratio of actual total head to the design head
(vii) effect of head due to velocity of approach

The effect of these factors is discussed below:

Height of spillway or Effect depth of approach
The height of spillway above stream bed or approach channel affects the velocity of
approach which in turn affects the coefficient of discharge. With increase in height of
spillway the velocity of approach decreases and the coefficient of discharge increases.
Model tests indicate that the coefficient of discharge becomes fairly constant when height
of spillway > 3.0 Hd, where Hd is the design head including the head due to velocity of
approach.
Various text books give a plot of C d versus Hd which is reproduced here in the form of a
table
P/Hd Cd P/Hd Cd P/Hd Cd
0.0 1.7 0.1 1.875 0.2 1.97
0.3 2.025 0.4 2.06 0.5 2.09
0.6 2.12 0.7 2.135 0.8 2.15
0.9 2.16 1.0 2.17 1.5 2.185
2.0 2.195 2.5 2.2 3.0 2.205
4.0 2.210
In the table P is the height of spillway.
When u/s face is inclined the above C d values gets multiplied by a factor from 0.995 (for
P/ Hd = 1.5) to 1.04 (for P/ Hd = 0.2)

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Negative Pressure over spillway surface

(i) H> Hd the pressure on the crest will be negative (sub atmospheric) may lead to
cavitation. Model tests show that till H < 1.25 Hd there is no harmful cavitation effect.
(ii)H< Hd the pressure on the crest is positive. Lower nappe of the jet attaches itself to the
boundary. Also when H > Hd lower nappe may leave the boundary for some distance on
d/s face and may attach again as the air mass in between the boundary and the lower
nappe gets sucked out. This may lead to the vibration of the structure.

Avoid negative pressure as:

(i) It increases overturning moment at the crest
(ii) It increases the force required for lifting of the gates
(iii) It causes decrease in the capability for automatic control

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(iv) It causes vibration which extends all over the structure. The vibration also
causes cracks in the mortar of stone lining of the crest.

Problem:
Design ogee spillway for the following data:
(i) Height of the spillway crest = 100.0 m
(ii) Number of spans = 10
(iii) Length of each span (clear) = 12.5m
(iv) Thickness of each pier = 3 m
(v) D/s slope of spillway = 0.8(H): 1(V)
(vi) Rock condition = good
(vii) Design discharge = 8500 m3/s

Design (i) Head over crest & coefficient of discharge

(a) Clear Water Way = 10x12.5 = 125m
Let us assume Cd =2.21 maximum value
(b) Effective length of spillway = Le = L - 2[N Kp+ Ka]Hd
Cut water (90o) nosed piers are supposed to be used with rounded abutments.
Kp = 0.01 and Ka = 0.1 and hence Q= 2.21[125 - 2(9x0.01 + 0.1) Hd] Hd3/2
(c) By trial and error Head over the crest Hd =10.024m
(d) P/ Hd = 100/ 10.024 = 9.976 > 4.0 Hence Cd =2.21
There is no effect of depth of approach or height of spillway
The effect of various other factors as given previously may be studied, reference may be
made to standard texts on the subject. The effect has been found to be negligible and
hence the value of Cd assumed remains unchanged.

(e) D/S profile

The profile recommended is X1.85 = 2 (Hd)0.85Y = 2(10.024)0.85Y = 14.188 Y
or, Y = X1.85 /14.188
The calculated coordinates of d/s profile are

Xm Ym Xm Ym
1.0 0.0705 7.0 2.5793
2.0 0.2540 9.0 4.1061
3.0 0.5380 11.0 5.9519
4.0 0.9159 13.0 8.1072
5.0 1.3841 14.28 9.6455

The slope of d/s glacis = 0.8(H):1(V)

Differential equation of d/s profile dy/dx = 1/0.8 = 1.25
d/dx [ X1.85 /14.188] = (1.85/14.188) X0.85 = 1.25
so, X= 14.28 and Y = 9.6455

(f) U/S profile R1 = 0.5 Hd = 0.5x 10.024= 5.012 m

and R2= 0.2 Hd = 0.2x10.024= 2.00048m
b= 0.282 Hd = 2.827m a = 0.175 Hd = 1.754m

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Alternatively calculate the profile from the given equation.

Equation for u/s profile
0.27 Hd = 2.706 Hd 0.85 = 7.09 Hd0.375 = 2.373
0.375
0.126 Hd = 1.264 0.4315 Hd = 1.024
y = [{0.725 (x+2.706 )1.85}/ 7.09] + 1.264 - 1.024 (x + 2.706)0.625

Calculation of Radius of Bucket

Total length of Water Way = Clear length + Thickness of Piers = 125 + 27 = 152 m
VY = 8500/152 = 55.92 m2/s
Hence, V = 55.92/Y = [2g(110.024 - Y)]1/2
Solving by trial Y = 1.21 m and V = 46.21 m/s

Then (V+6.4Hd+4.88)/(3.6Hd+19.52)
R = 0.305x10
Substitute values of V and Hd in the above equation R= 0.305 x 102.072 = 36.04 m
Negative pressure on crest
The maximum negative pressure on the crest is just on the d/s of gate and are less than
0.15 Hd= 0.15x 10.024 = 1.50 m which is less than permitted negative of 4.3 m of water.
Aeration To control negative pressure and consequently cavitation damage, aeration pipe
25 mm dia @ 3 m c/c along the spillway below the gate lip would be provided. These
pipes would be connected to the bigger size header pipe.

Height of Side Wall

Coordinates of Upper Nappe profile over a sharp crested weir are given in any book on
fluid mechanics which can be plotted over the spillway profile. Side walls should be
higher than the Upper Nappe by a margin of Free Board .

Chute Spillway or Trough Spillway

An ogee spillway is mostly suitable for concrete Gravity dam when the spillway is
located within the body of dam. For Earth & Rock-fill dam, a separate spillway is
generally constructed in a flank or saddle, away from main valley. Some times even for
gravity dams a separate spillway is required because of the narrowness of the valley. In
such circumstances a separate spillway may have to be provided. The trough spillway or
chute spillway is the simplest type of spillway which can be easily provided
independently and at low costs. It is lighter & adoptable to any type of foundation and
hence provided easily on Earth & Rock-Fill dam. It is also called at times Waste Weir. If
it is constructed in continuation of the dam at one end, it may be called a Flank weir. If it
is constructed in a natural saddle in the bank of the river separated from the main dam by
a high ridge it is called a Saddle Weir.

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Dam Engineering & Appurtenant Structures (IENG-6041) Spillways & Its Design

A chute spillway essentially consists of a steeply sloping open channel placed along a
dam abutment or through a flank or saddle. It leads the water from the reservoir to the
downstream channel below.the base of the channel is usually made of reinforced concrete
slabs 25 to 50 cm thick. Light reinforcement of about 0.25% of concrete area is provided
in the top of the slab.in both directions. The chute is some times of constant width but is
usually narrowed for economy and then widened near the end to reduce the discharging
velocity. Expansion joints are usually provided in the chutes at intervals of about 9to 12m
in either direction. The expansion joint s should be made water tight so as to avoid any
under seepage and its troublesome effects. Under drains are also provided, so as to drain
the water which may seep through the trough bottom and side walls. These drains may be
in the form of a perforated steel pipes., clay tiles or rock filled trenches.

Slope of chute can conform to available topography leading to minimum excavation, but
the slope should be steep enough to maintain supercritical flow to avoid unstable flow
conditions.

When a vertical curve is provided at a point where chute slope changes it must be gradual
& designed to avoid any separation of flow.

Control Structure or a Low ogee weir

As the trough spillway is provided in a flank or saddle the height of spillway depends
upon the natural level of bottom of flank.
If NPL > Natural level of bottom of flank,

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Construct low ogee weir height h = NPL- natural level of bottom of flank.
If NPL < Natural level of bottom of flank, then excavate and provide a flat crest at NPL

Chute slope
Water spilling over the control structure (i.e., Ogee weir) flows through the chute channel
Minimum slope of the chute channel should correspond to a supercritical flow for as long
a distance as possible. After that slope is made as steep as possible without endangering
the stability or without getting into heavy excavations.

Side walls (called Training Walls)

Height not to allow any spilling over it. Height = Free Nappe + Free Board
Free Board = 0.61 + 0.4 Vm (Dm)1/3
Where Vm =mean velocity in the chute
Dm =mean depth of water in the chute
Walls in the vicinity of ogee weir should be made vertical in the later portion it can be
vertical or sloping.

Design of small ogee weir required as control structure for chute spillway

Equation for D/S profile with crest of ogee taken as origin is given as

XN = a (He)N-1Y
Table showing equations for D/S profile of low ogee weir
Value of Ha/He Range h/He a N
0.00 >1.0 1.852 1.780
0.08 1.00 – 0.58 1.869 1.750
0.12 0.58 –0.30 1.905 1.747

Coordinates of U/S profile should merge in a slope of 1:1

X/ He Y/ He Y/He Y/He
X/ He Ha/He =0.00 Ha/He =0.08 Ha/He =0.12
-0.020 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004
-0.060 0.0036 0.0035 0.0035
-0.10 0.013 0.0101 0.0099
-0.012 0.015 0.015 0.0147
-0.140 0.0207 0.028 0.0199
-0.150 0.0239 0.0235 0.0231
-0.160 0.0275 0.0270 0.0265
-0.175 0.0333 0.0328 0.0325
-0.190 0.0399 0.0395 0.0390
-0.195 0.0424 0.042 -------
-0.200 0.0450 ------ -----

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Radius of curve at toe = 2He

Design of Vertical curve of Chute
Avoid sharp convex and concave vertical curves, Provide flat curves where ever required.
Concave Curve Provided when the chute floor changes from Steeper slope to less steep.
Concave curves should be of large radius to minimize the dynamic force on the floor.
Force created due to centrifugal action R >(2γ d V2/pg)
where V is the velocity , d is the depth of flow; p is the permissible intensity of dynamic
pressure exerted on the floor. R> 10d except at the toe of crest where R could be 5d.
Curve is made tangential to the u/s and d/s slope.
Convex Curve : Provided when the chute floor changes from Steep slope to steeper.
Convex Curve starts tangentially from the end of u/s sloping floor. It should be flat
enough to maintain positive pressure on the floor and thus avoid tendency of separation
of flow from floor. The convex curve is usually parabolic as given by equation

Y = {x tanθ }+ {x2/ 4K(d + hV) cos2 θ}

θ is the angle of u/s floor just at the beginning of the curve
K is a factor of safety > 1.5

Horizontal curves
Horizontal curves may also be required if the alignment is not straight but takes a curve
as it may not be possible to have a straight trough. Curves should be quite gentle and in
order to account for super elevation in the curved portion of the trough bed should be
provided with a cross slope.

Approach channel of chute spillway

An entrance channel called approach channel trapezoidal shaped with side slope 1:1 to
lead the reservoir water up to control structure (low ogee weir). Friction head loss in
discharge channel = n2V2L/( R)4/3
one can calculate velocity and depth at different sections by applying that specific energy
above a certain datum remains constant and only losses are friction, turbulence, transition
and impact.

Entire chute spillway:

Entrance channel
Control structure
Chute channel or discharge carrier
Energy dissipation arrangement at the bottom in the form of stilling basin.

Cutoff
Cutoff at upper end of spillway to reduce uplift pressure on paving. Cutoff at D/S end of
paving to prevent under cutting of paving. Further at U/S end of each panel a cutoff is
provided to prevent creeping of panels resulting from expansion & contraction due to
changes in temperature as well as to prevent flow of water from one panel to other along
the underside of the paving. A typical cutoff of this type is shown.

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Drainage
Drainage is necessary to prevent uplift from ground water or the water that finds its way
through the paving through the operation of spillway. If paving is on rock foundation,
drainage system consists of gravel filled trenches under the paving, with some times an
open tile drain imbedded in the gravel. The drains are either relieved at intervals through
the paving or collected into one or more trunk drain which carry the entire flow to an
outlet at lower end of the trough.

Side Channel Spillway

In a side channel spillway, the crest of the control weir is placed along the side of the
discharge channel. the crest is approximately parallel to the side channel at the entrance.
Thus the flow after passing over the crest is carried in a discharge channel running
parallel to the crest. Water flows over the crest into the narrow trough of the discharge
channel opposite the weir, it turns approximately at right angle and then continues in the
discharge channel.
The side channel spillway is usually constructed in a narrow canyon where sufficient
space is not available for an overflow spillway, and where there is neither a suitable
saddle, nor there is a availability of a wide flanks to accommodate a chute spillway. In
such cases, if a crest of length required for the flow to occur perpendicular to the crest is
provided, heavy cutting would be required making the cost of constructing a chute
spillway or an overflow spillway prohibitive.
The crest of a side channel spillway is usually an ogee- shaped section made of concrete.
sometimes it consists of a flat concrete pavement laid on an earthen embankment or the
natural ground surface.

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Saddle Siphon Spillway

The saddle Siphon spillway consists of an air tight reinforced concrete cover called
“Hood” or “cowl” provided over an an ogee shaped body wall to form a siphon duct.
Hence this spillway is also known as ‘Hood siphon spillway’ or ‘Hood siphon’.The top of
the body wall forms the crest of the siphon spillway and hence it is located at full
Reservoir level.The entrance and the exit lips of the hood are so shaped that siphon duct
has bell mouthed entry and exit. The inlet of the siphon duct is kept submerged well
below the full reservoir level so that floating debris etc., does not enter the siphon duct
and also the formation of vortices and draw downs which might break the siphonic action
is avoided. Thr outlet of the siphon duct is kept submerged in a cup like basin which
forms a water seal so that air cannot enter the siphon duct from this end. However instead
a cup like basin a cistern may be created by constructing a low weir a little away from the
outlet on the down stream of the outlet. A small de-primer hood is provided above the
main hood and both these hoods are connected through an air vent. The inlet of the de-
primer hood is kept slightly above the full reservoir level

At full reservoir level water stands up to the crest of the spillway and hence there is no
flow. When the water level rises above the full reservoir level i.e., above the crest of
spillway, water starts flowing over the crest and the inlet of the de-primer hood gets
submerged with the result that entry for air into the de-primer hood and the main hood
gets sealed. Thus air cannot enter from both the inlet and outlet of the siphon duct and the
air remaining entrapped in the top portion of the siphon duct above the sheet of the water
flowing over the crest is gradually sucked by the flowing water. As the air is sucked the
pressure drops to less than atmospheric in the top portion the siphon duct which was
having atmospheric pressure at the starting of the flow. Thus a difference of pressure
develops between the outside atmosphere and the air inside the siphon duct which creates
a suction pull and draws in more water over the crest. This in turn takes in more air along
with it which further increases the suction pull and draws in more and more water over
the crest. This sucking action which increases progressively and gradually creates the

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necessary pull for the commencement of the syphonic action and the siphon duct start to
run full. The action of the siphon spillway from the moment the water just starts to flow
over the crest to the instant when the siphon duct starts flowing full is known as
‘PRIMING’, (or it is said to have ‘primed’). It may however difficult to expel the
entrapped air from the siphon since it has to be forced through the water in the sealing
basin and hence it may not get primed quickly. Moreover relatively large rise in water
level above the crest of spillway may be needed before it gets primed. To assist quick
priming many priming devices can easily be fitted along with the siphon.

The siphoning action once initiated will continue as long as water level in the reservoir is
above the full reservoir level. The operating head for the spillway is then equal to the
difference between water levels on the U/S and the D/S of the spillway. When the water
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level in the reservoir drops to such a level that the inlet of the de-primer hood gets
exposed then the air enters the siphon duct and breaks the siphoning action thus stopping
the flow. This action is called de-priming of the siphon spillway.

Another form of saddle siphon spillway provided in the body of Dam is called ‘Tilted
Outlet type’. It has a vertical lower limb and hence the draught of falling water is enough
to cause priming and no other device is needed for its priming. However the outlet is
tilted upwards in order to develop water seal at the bend and thus facilitate early priming.
For De-priming air inlet pipe is provided.

Priming devices
The priming devices are used to speed up the priming of siphon spillway with relatively
small depths. Thus these devices are used to reduce the priming depths for spillway. The
priming devices create effective water seals which cause early priming of siphon
spillways. As such priming devices are also termed as water seals.
Name of some of these devices are:
(i)Baby siphon or Auxiliary siphon : (ii) Joggle or Tudel or Step
(iii) Hinged or Steel plate (iv) Clear over fall (v) Priming weir or over fall weir.
(vi) Provision of a cup type basin (vii) Provision of a tilted outlet

De-priming: De-priming is the reverse process of priming. It is the action of siphon from
the time air starts entering the siphon through the vents until the siphoning action
completely stopped. De-priming is carried out by providing de-primers. A deprimer is an
air vent and is provided to break the siphoning action when the reservoir surface is drawn
below it. If an air vent is not provided, siphoning action once initiated would continue till
the reservoir level is brought down to the level at the inlet which is provided much below
the normal reservoir level.

Discharge through Saddle Syphon

The usual siphon discharge formula is Q = CA (2gH) 0.5

Where A= Area of cross section at crown = L*b
Where L is the length of the throat and b is the height of the throat
H= Operating Head
= Reservoir Level - Center of outlet, if outlet is discharging freely.
= Reservoir Level -Down stream tail-water level, if outlet is submerged
C= Coefficient of discharge, the average value may be taken as 0.65

The discharge equation can be expressed in terms of radii of crest and crown
Let R1 = Radius of crest
R2 = Radius of crown
Consider any point P on the vertical section at the throat, and let its radius be r.
The L- section of the throat is shown.

Let V1 , V2 , and V be the velocities of flow at the crest, crown and point P respectively.
The flow through the throat is governed by free vortex flow for which we have:

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Dam Engineering & Appurtenant Structures (IENG-6041) Spillways & Its Design

V*r = constant
Hence, V1*R1 = V2 *R2 = V*r
Let h0 be the net operative head at the crest. This head is calculated after making due
allowances of all losses occurring in the siphon, h0 = H - Losses through the siphon.
Hence, V1 = (2gh0)0.5
V = V1. (R1/r) = (R1/r)*( (2gh0)0.5)
Consider a thin rectangular strip of thickness dr at P and let dq be the discharge through
this strip of unit length.
dq = V.dr.1 = (R1/r)*( (2gh0)0.5). dr
Hence, discharge q through the throat per unit length is given as

q =  dq = R1 (2gh0)0.5 dr/r between limits R1 and R2

or, q = R1 (2gh0)0.5 ln(R2/R1)
The total discharge through the siphon unit having throat length L is therefore:
Q = qL = R1.L. (2gh0)0.5 ln(R2/R1)

Applying Bernoulli's equation between throat and the outlet one can easily infer that the
pressure at the throat is always going to be negative. Besides the pressure distribution is
non uniform due to the curvature of stream lines and the pressure is lower at the crest
than at the crown. Keeping these in mind, the total drop of siphon structure should be
limited to about 6 m so that negative pressure does not reach the cavitation pressure.

Advantage The main advantages of the siphon spillway are

(i) Its automatic operation without any mechanical device ,and
(ii) Its ability to pass higher discharge at relatively low surcharge head resulting in
lower height of dam as well as less surrounding area to be acquired for
submergence.
Disadvantage
(i) It is an expensive structure and has limited capacity.
(ii) It has a serious disadvantage due to occurrence of sudden surges and
stoppages of out flow as a result of erratic siphonic action, thus causing severe
fluctuations in the down stream river stage.
(iii) A minor crack in the cover of the siphon would interfere with the siphon
Therefore the siphon spillway is always constructed in batteries so that entire
spillway is not affected even if cracks have developed either in one or few
units.
(iv) The structure and foundation have to be strong enough to resist the vibration.
(v) There exists a possibility of clogging of the siphon due to debris and floating
material.
(vi) Like other type of closed conduit spillways, a siphon spillway too is
incapable of handling flows appreciably greater than the designed capacity.
Hence, siphon spillways must be provided in conjunction with an auxiliary or
emergency spillway.
Volute siphon Spillway
It is a special type of siphon spillway. It consists of a vertical barrel or shaft bent at
the discharge end and opened out in the form of a funnel at the top. The top of the lip

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Dam Engineering & Appurtenant Structures (IENG-6041) Spillways & Its Design

of the funnel is kept at the reservoir level and a number of volutes (like the blades of a
centrifugal pump or turbine) are fixed in the funnel to induce a spiral motion to the
water passing along them. A dome supported on number of pillars, is placed over the
funnel. Over the main dome is attached a de-primer dome. the entrance end of the
deprimer dome is kept just at the reservoir level.

When the water level in the reservoir rises, it seals the air entry and sheet of water
enters the funnel from all sides. The spiral flow of water through the volute causes
suction which sucks all the remaining air and priming is thus achieved very quickly.
The siphon then runs full. When the reservoir level falls, air enters through the de-
primer dome, thus breaking the siphoning action.

Shaft Spillway

In shaft spillway water enters a horizontal crest, drops through a vertical or a sloping
shaft and then flows to the down stream river channel through a horizontal or nearly
horizontal conduit or tunnel. A rock out crop projecting into the reservoir slightly
upstream of the dam would be an ideal site for a shaft spillway. Depending on the level of
out crop and the required crest level, a spillway may have to be either constructed or
excavated. The diversion tunnels if available can be utilized for discharge tunnels of
spillway. Radial piers provided on the spillway crest ensure radial flow towards spillway
and also provides support to the bridge connecting spillway and the dam or the adjoining
hill.

A shaft spillway with a funnel shaped inlet is called 'Morning Glory' or Glory Hole
spillway. One of the distinguishing characteristics is that near maximum capacity of the
spillway is attained at relatively low heads. Therefore a shaft spillway is ideal when
maximum spillway discharge is not likely to be exceeded. Because of this feature,
however, the spillway becomes unsuitable when a flow larger than the selected inflow
design flood occurs. This disadvantage can be got rid of by providing an auxiliary or
emergency spillway and using the shaft spillway as service spillway.

Depending upon the type of crest, the shaft spillway can either be standard crested or
flat crested. In a standard crested spillway, the water begins its free fall immediately
upon leaving the crest where as in flat crested spillway water approaches upon the crest
on a flat slope before beginning its free fall. The standard crested spillway would have a
smaller diameter crest since its coefficient of discharge is greater than a flat crest.
Therefore if the shaft spillway is to be constructed in the form of a tower, it would be
economical to have a standard crested spillway. However a flat crested shaft spillway has
a smaller funnel diameter and is therefore more advantageous when the spillway is to be
excavated in rock.

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