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Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne

des ressources hydriques

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Stepped Spillway as an Energy Dissipater

Jean G Chatila & Bassam R Jurdi

To cite this article: Jean G Chatila & Bassam R Jurdi (2004) Stepped Spillway as an Energy
Dissipater , Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques,
29:3, 147-158, DOI: 10.4296/cwrj147

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.4296/cwrj147

Published online: 23 Jan 2013.

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Gabrielle Amorim Sena Souza - gabiass@hotmail.com - IP: 187.57.152.161


Stepped Spillway as an Energy Dissipater

Jean G. Chatila and Bassam R. Jurdi

Abstract: This paper describes an experimental investigation into the hydraulics of ogee-profile stepped
spillways, examines their viability as an alternative to smooth-back spillways and investigates their
efficiency in reducing the downstream energy and length of the hydraulic jump. Tests were performed
in a long rectangular flume with glass walls on both sides. One smooth model was used as a benchmark
for comparison with stepped models made out of a combination of crests and bottoms of different step
heights. Significant reductions in terminal velocities and total energies were observed, where the stepped
spillway profiles tested proved to be very effective in terms of energy dissipation for flows of the order
of the design head or lower. For flows beyond the design head, the effectiveness of the stepped spillway
configuration was reduced and became negligible for heads greater than one and a half times the design
head. It was concluded that the number of steps is the overbearing factor in expending flow kinetic
energy and, therefore, reducing the length of the downstream forming hydraulic jump.

Résume : Le présent article décrit une étude expérimentale sur l’hydraulique des déversoirs en marches
d’escalier en doucine et examine leur viabilité en tant que solution de rechange aux déversoirs à dos lisse.
Il est également question de leur efficacité pour ce qui est de réduire l’énergie en aval et la longueur du
ressaut. Des essais ont été menés dans un long chenal rectangulaire flanquée de parois de verre de chaque
côté. Un modèle lisse a été utilisé comme point de repère à des fins de comparaison avec des modèles
en marches d’escalier fabriqués à partir d’une combinaison de crêtes et de fonds de différentes hauteurs
de marche. Des réductions considérables des vitesses limites et des énergies totales ont été observées,
les profils des déversoirs en marches d’escalier testés s’étant avérés très efficaces en fait de dissipation
d’énergie pour les débits de l’ordre de la chute brute ou d’un degré moindre. Pour les débits dépassant
la chute brute, l’efficacité de la configuration du déversoir en marches d’escalier a été réduite et est
devenue négligeable pour les hauteurs de chute supérieures à une fois et demie la chute brute. Il en a été
conclu que le nombre de marches constitue un facteur décisif pour ce qui est de l’expansion de l’énergie
cinétique du débit et, par conséquent, de la réduction de la longueur du ressaut se formant en aval.

Jean G. Chatila1 and Bassam R. Jurdi1

1
Department of Civil Engineering, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36 Byblos, Byblos, Lebanon.

Submitted February 2003; accepted February 2004. Written comments on this paper will be accepted until
March 2005.

Canadian Water Resources Journal Vol. 29(3): 147–158 (2004) © 2004 Canadian Water Resources Association
Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

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148 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

Introduction Compacted Concrete (RCC) construction method


for building gravity dams, where including stepped
A spillway is a hydraulic structure that is usually provided spillway construction concurrent with horizontal RCC
at storage and detention dams to release surplus or flood placement can be easily accomplished, which reduces
water that cannot be safely stored in the reservoir. Since the cost and time of construction. In addition, stepped
the failure of dams and their related appurtenances may spillways contribute to the stability of the dam.
cause serious loss of life and property, their design and Several researchers have performed studies on
maintenance are commonly controlled by government stepped spillway physical models. However, the results
regulation. Historically, spillways of improper design obtained for each case were valid only for that case
or insufficient capacities have caused failures of dams. and could only be used as a guide for other similar
Also, many embankment dams were identified as cases. Young (1982) studied the feasibility of a stepped
being unable to pass their design flows without failure spillway for the Upper Stillwater Dam and managed
due to overtopping (Frizell, 1991). Thus, the spillway a 75% energy reduction. Sorensen (1985) performed
must be hydraulically and structurally adequate. When a physical model investigation for stepped spillways,
the reservoir’s storage capacity is exceeded, water where he found that adding a few steps to the face
flows over the spillway crest and accelerates down the of the spillway eliminated the deflecting water jet.
spillway face to produce high velocities at the spillway Christodoulou (1993) found that energy loss due to the
toe, which may cause dangerous scour in the natural steps depends primarily on the ratio of the critical depth
channel below the structure. Some form of stilling to the height of the step, as well as on the number of
basin structure located at the foot of the spillway steps. Sorensen (1985) studied the design of steps and
has been used for energy dissipation. Depending on their spacing on the spillway face in order to optimize
the expected Froude Number (Fr) of the incoming the energy dissipation. Degoutte et al. (1992) stated:
flow, the form of the stilling basin can range from a “The size requirements for stilling basin downstream
simple concrete apron to a complex structure that may of stepped spillway were not well known.” A practical
include rows of chute blocks, baffle piers and a plain guideline for the design of stepped spillways has been
or dentated end-sill. If the basin requires all three published (CIRIA, 1978). However, this document
features, this can add substantially to the overall costs. provices no indication as to what degree the spillway
Consequently, alternative solutions to the problem step configuration may impact the energy dissipation.
are worth investigating. One possible solution is to Chamani and Rajaratnam (1999a, b) developed an
consider a stepped spillway instead of the traditional equation to predict the incipient value of the ratio of
smooth ogee-profile spillway, where a series of drops in the critical depth to step height, which agreed well
the invert are provided from near the crest to the toe. with most of their experimental observations. Chanson
Over a wide range of operating conditions, the stepped (1999) proposed a pre-design calculation method that
spillway is expected to generate substantial energy provides a general trend for preliminary designs.
losses on the spillway structure itself, thereby reducing
the need for a more costly form of stilling basin.
The steps act as roughness elements to reduce flow Experimental Study
acceleration and hence terminal velocity. Moreover,
excessive turbulence induced by the steps helps The literature indicates that there are considerable
speed the development of a boundary layer and the gaps in knowledge in the design of stepped spillways.
entrainment of air to bulk the flow. Both the reduced The choice of an experimental model, computational
velocity and the cushioning effect of the entrained air model, or interpolating/extrapolating the necessary
thus reduce the cavitation potential. information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) or the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
design/performance curves can be a difficult and
Stepped Spillways dangerous task (USACE, 1990; USBR, 1977). This
is especially true if scaling effects in experimental
Considerable interest in stepped spillways is shown modelling are ignored, basic assumptions and
mainly because of the technical advances in the Roller- capabilities in computational modelling are not taken

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Chatila and Jurdi 149

into consideration and interpolation/extrapolation of the water depth exceeds a few centimetres, the effects
design curves leads to physically incorrect situations. of the surface tension, and thus the Weber number,
From a computational standpoint, simulating could be disregarded as well. This complies with the
the flow is difficult due to non-linearity and other conditions of the experiments performed in this study.
factors. The flow changes from subcritical upstream of
the crest to supercritical along the spillway and then
it must pass through a hydraulic jump to reach the Flow Regimes
subcritical tailrace channel. Furthermore, the curvature
of the spillway profile may be significant, thus causing Flow regime over a stepped spillway can either be nappe
pressure variations due to centripetal fluid acceleration, or skimming flow. In nappe flows, water from each
which rival the hydrostatic pressure component. Many step hits the step below as a falling jet, with the energy
researchers have discussed the topic of stepped spillways dissipation occurring by jet breakup in the air and
and tried to implement some numerical finite element mixing on the step, with or without the formation of
techniques for solving the flow field (Chamani and a partial hydraulic jump. When the upstream-directed
Rajarantnam, 1999b; Pegram et al., 1999; Sanchez et flow meets the vertical step wall, it is forced to reverse
al., 2000; Yildiz and Kas, 1998). However, it is crucial direction and a pool is formed. This flow is recirculated
to have reliable data against which mathematical in the pool and joins the downstream-directed flow
models can be calibrated and validated. Chen et al. with a lesser velocity. Rajaratnam (1990) suggested that
(2002) report that stepped spillways have increasingly nappe flow occurs when yc/h < 0.8. A nappe flow regime
become effective energy dissipaters. When the is possible for higher discharges, but this needs a very
hydraulic performance of the overflow is clearly known, flat slope. In the skimming flow regime, water flows
the energy dissipation could be increased. Thus, it is of down the stepped face as a coherent stream, skimming
great importance to thoroughly examine the hydraulics over the steps and is cushioned by the recirculating
of stepped spillways through experimentation in order fluid trapped between them. Skimming flow occurs at
to optimize the energy dissipation, where different moderate to high discharges. No nappe is visible and
step heights have to be tested. the external edges of the steps form a pseudo-bottom
If both gravitational and viscous forces are over which the flows pass. Vortices, which transmit
important, then dynamic similitude requires both shear stresses, develop and large friction losses
Froude and Reynolds numbers be held constant. Thus, characterize skimming flows. Downstream of the point
one degree of freedom in the modelling exercise is lost of inception, a layer containing a mixture of air and
and the length ratio is no longer arbitrary but depends water extends through the fluid and the flow becomes
on the choice of the fluid viscosity. To overcome this uniform far downstream, where measurements may not
obstacle, the Froude number is held constant since vary for a given discharge. Chanson (1994) reported
gravitational forces are predominant, and the Reynolds that as the skimming flow becomes fully developed
number is maintained in the same flow regime as the stepped spillway behaves similar to a smooth
the prototype. The general modelling laws can be one with high roughness. Rajaratnam (1990) defined
developed and the specific equation involving the the onset of skimming flow for values of the ratio
additional constraint of the Froude number modelling yc/h > 0.80, which is the case throughout the current
introduced. Geometric, kinematic, and dynamic laws experimental program. Although the mechanisms of
of similitude apply in this instance (Prasuhn, 1992). energy loss are quite different between the nappe flow
Rice and Kadavy (1996) report that, according to the and skimming flow regimes, both flows can dissipate a
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, it is recommended that major proportion of the flow energy.
models of large dams and spillways be constructed
to scale ratios of 1:30 to 1:100, and for medium size
structures the Bureau recommends that models should Experimental Setup
not be smaller than 1:60 scale. In 1953, the USBR
recommended that flow heads larger than 3 cm should The tests were performed in the Hydraulics Laboratory
be used in order to avoid surface tension problems. at the Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus,
However, Rice and Kadavy (1996) reported that if Lebanon. Experiments were conducted in a 6.0 m long

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150 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

flume, 30.4 cm wide and 40.0 cm deep. The walls of the smooth ogee-profile spillway was manufactured and
flume are glass on both sides (Figure 1). An end weir used as a benchmark for comparison purposes.
controlled the position of the downstream forming The literature indicates that step sizes are classified
hydraulic jump. Two pumps supplied the flow into the in either one of two categories: (i) large-step sizes of
channel through calibrated orifice meters located in height = 1/20 Hdam, and (ii) small-step sizes of height
the feed pipes into the channel, with two independent = 1/40 Hdam (Sorensen, 1985; Christodoulou, 1993;
valves to control the flow. Discharge was measured Bindo et al., 1993; and Rice and Kadavy, 1996). When
using these meters. The channel was kept at zero slope applied to the experimental spillway models, steps of
throughout the experiments. Depth of water at any 0.6 to 1.3 cm are used. However, these are only general
point was measured using a point gauge with accuracy guidelines for step sizes and in the current study steps
to the nearest millimetre, or division thereafter. In the of 0.5 to 1.5 cm were utilized. As for the stepped model
case of a fluctuating water surface profile, average values geometries, bottom 1 (B1) had a total of 14 steps, each
of depths were taken based on several measurements. with a 1.0 cm drop. Bottom 2 (B2) had a total of nine
The models had a height of 25.7 cm, a base length of steps, with a 1.5 cm drop. Crest 1 (Cl) had a total of
29.7 cm, and a width equal to that of the channel. The 19 steps, each with a 0.5 cm drop. Crest 2 (C2) had
hydraulic design charts 111-2-/1 of USACE-WES a total of 12 steps, with a 0.75 cm drop (Figure 2).
were used for the design of the spillway model profiles Smaller step sizes were implemented for the crests as
(USACE-WES, 1952). A vertical upstream face and a compared to the bottoms in order to have a smooth
curved surface defined by the radii 0.2Hd and 0.5Hd in flow transition. In general, one has to be careful about
front of the crest centreline were selected. The profile the significance of scale effects on the experiments and
downstream of the crest centreline is defined by the consequent interpretation of results.
Primary concerns included the amount of energy
xn = KH d1-n y (1) dissipated by the steps, the optimum size of the steps for
maximum energy dissipation and the effect of steps on
the downstream-forming hydraulic jump, which affects
Using K = 2, n = 1.85, Hd = 5.08 cm, yields the following the length of stilling basin required. While conducting
equation for the spillway profile at the crest the experiments, measurements were repeated to
ensure that the results are reproducible with minimal
y = 0.12559x1.85 (cm) (2) measurement errors. In some instances, average values
were considered. The following measurements were
A face slope = 60° (or slope 1.73:1) was used after recorded for a wide range of flows over the smooth
the point of tangency with the crest curve. A smooth and stepped spillway models (Figure 1): (i) water head
transition, at the toe of the spillway, is needed to avoid at the upstream of the spillway, H (m), defined as the
excessive vibration and structural damage. Thus, a upstream vertical difference between crest level and
circular curve, or bucket, tangent to the foundation water level; (ii) water head at the crest of the model
and the spillway’s terminal downstream slope, is used. spillway, (m); (iii) profile of free surface for different
Steps in the stepped spillway models were discharges; (iv) depth of flow at the bottom or the toe
introduced at a point just downstream of the spillway of the model, Y1 (m), which is the upstream depth of
crest so that the envelope of their tips follows the the hydraulic jump; (v) depth of flow at the downstream
standard smooth profile down to the toe (Figure 2). end of the hydraulic jump, Y2 (m); (vi) differential
Two stepped spillway models, built of plexi-glass, were head across the orifice metres, (m), and (vii) length of
used in the study. In general, step geometries may be the hydraulic jump, Lj (m). The longitudinal element
horizontal, inclined or pooled. Horizontal steps were of the jump is, without doubt, the most difficult to
selected in this instance for more effectiveness and ease measure. This is partially due to the differences in
of manufacturing. The models, which had the same opinion as to exactly where the terminus of the jump
overall height and general crest shape, had different lies (Elevatorski, 1959). It was easier to determine
step heights. Since the crest sections of the two models the section at which the hydraulic jump has started
were removable and interchangeable, this permitted than where it ended. In this instance, a dye-tracer,
a wider combination of step heights to be tested. A Rhodamine WT, was dropped at different locations in

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Chatila and Jurdi 151

Figure 1. Experimental Facility with Flow over a Stepped Spillway Model.

Figure 2. Typical Crest and Bottom Configurations of a Stepped Spillway Model.

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152 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

the vicinity of the hydraulic jump. The termination of measured data with r² = 0.88, the computed value
the hydraulic jump was determined visually through of the slope was 1.54, which is close to the expected
the circulation of the dye. theoretical value for a spillway. Based on the intercept,
a value of C = 2.35 m0.5/s is obtained. This value is
close to that computed by Sorenson (1985) and also
Results and Discussion falls within the range recommended by King and
Brater (1963). Baban (1995) reported a C value of
A major concern for stepped spillways is providing 2.225 when H/Hd > 1.33.
smooth transition flow from the spillway crest to the The available energy in the different models was
first few steps. Based on experimental observations, computed for each flow condition at the toe of the
the flow at the transition is very good with no spillway close to the upstream end of the hydraulic
undesirable disturbance of flow, no tumbling action, jump. The aim was to determine the efficiency of
and no separation of the flow at the break in slope. step configuration in releasing energy. The percentage
This was the case for all discharges and models tested. energy dissipated in each stepped model was calculated
It was seen that there may be some air entrained at low in reference to the available energy for the smooth
discharges but this disappeared at high discharges. model. Figure 4 shows the variation of the percentage
Average flow velocities were calculated from the energy dissipated at the toe of the spillway with H/
measured flow rates and depths using the continuity Hd, the ratio of the flow head (H) to the design head
equation. The discharge over an uncontrolled crest (Hd) of the spillway. Figure 4 shows that model C1B1
structure can be defined as produced the highest value of energy dissipation for
the models under consideration. For flow heads less
Q = CLH 3/2 (3) than 60% of the design head (H/Hd = 0.6), most of the
models produced more than 60% energy dissipation
where C = discharge coefficient (in m0.5/s), L = the crest with model C1B1 reaching up to 80%. All models had
length (in m), and H is as previously defined. relatively low energy dissipation at H/Hd = 1.40. In
Figure 3 shows the variation of the flow rate addition, energy dissipation was in the range of 20 to
with the flow head over different spillway models. 30% for flows around the design head and increased to
Theoretically, such a plot, on a log-log scale, should 30 to 40% for H/Hd in the vicinity of 1.25. The energy
yield a straight line with a slope of 1.5 and an intercept dissipation rate will then decrease with increasing
of log(C L). Based on a regression analysis of the discharge as it reaches a stage where the effect of the

0.020
C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2 Smooth
Flow Rate, Q (m3/s)

0.015

0.010

0.005

0.000
0 3 6 9
Flow Head, H (cm)

Figure 3. Variation of Flow Rate with Flow Head over Different Spillway Models.

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Chatila and Jurdi 153

100
C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2
80

% Energy Dissipated
60

40

20

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
H/H d

Figure 4. Variation of Percent Energy Dissipated at the Spillway Toe with (H/Hd).

steps is very small and a stepped spillway acts similar Figure 6 shows the variation of the dimensionless
to a smooth one. The amount of energy dissipated for quantity Lj/Hd with H/Hd. It clearly indicates that Lj
various discharges is determined and for all discharges is reduced approximately by 64% or more for model
the flow was found to be a skimming flow. C1B1 as compared to the smooth model. Considerable
Figure 5 shows the variation of the Fr1 at the reduction in Lj is also noticed for all other models. As a
upstream side of the hydraulic jump with H/Hd. This result, the length of the stilling basin is also reduced.
figure shows that for model C1B1 with H/Hd = 0.45, Figure 7 shows the variation of Lj with the difference
Fr1 was reduced by about 82% as compared to the between downstream and upstream depths (Y2–Y1) or
smooth model. In general, for all models and with H/ conjugate depths. In general, Lj is about five to seven
Hd < 1.0, Fr1 was considerably reduced. The reduction times the difference in conjugate depths. Performing
in Fr was not significant for H/Hd > 1.20 and became a regression analysis on the data plotted in Figure 7
negligible for H/Hd > 1.40. produces a ratio of Lj/(Y2 - Y1) = 5.16 with r2 = 0.84.
This is well within the normally accepted values.

14
C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2 Smooth
12
Froude Number, Fr1

10

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
H/H d

Figure 5. Variation of Froude Number (Fr1) at the Upstream Side of the


Hydraulic Jump with H/Hd.

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154 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

14
C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2 Smooth
12

10

8
L j /H d
6

0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00
H/H d

Figure 6. Variation of Lj/Hd with H/Hd.

70
C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2 Smooth
60

50
L j , (cm)

40

30

20

10

0
0 3 6 9 12
(Y2-Y1), (cm)

Figure 7. Variation of Lj with the Difference in Downstream and Upstream


Depths.

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Chatila and Jurdi 155

Figure 8 shows that the percentage


energy dissipated due to the steps 100
depends primarily on the Yc /h ratio, C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2
where Yc = critical depth of flow 80

% Energy Dissipated
passing over the spillway and h =
step height, as well as on N, the 60
number of steps. For Yc/h = 2.5, the
stepped surface was very effective in 40
dissipating energy. For values of 2.5 <
Yc/h < 6, the effect is still appreciable. 20
However, for values of Yc/h > 6, the
effect starts to reduce.
0
Using model results, a
2 4 6 8
relation between the ratio Y c/h
Lj/Hd and the parameter Yc/Nh is
presented in Figure 9. This figure
shows that Lj is reduced with Yc/Nh. Figure 8. Variation of Percentage Energy Dissipated with Yc /h.
As the number of steps increases, the
energy dissipated is increased, and Lj
is reduced. A similar conclusion was
reached by Chamani and Rajaratnam
(1994), where they reported that the
number of steps is more important 12
than the size of the steps. C1B1 C2B2 C2B1 C1B2
The results of the study indicated 10
that the model consisting of bottom
B1 and crest C1 (C1B1) produced 8
higher energy dissipation as compared
L j /H d

to combinations of models with other 6


crests and bottoms. In this instance, for
flows lower than the design discharge, 4
the energy dissipated amounted to
approximately 80% as compared 2
to the equivalent smooth spillway
model. At the design discharge, 0
approximately 25% of the energy was 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
dissipated. Consequently, using such Yc/Nh
a stepped spillway design reduced the
required length of the stilling basin.
Although the use of a stepped spillway Figure 9. Variation of Lj/Hd with Yc/Nh.
was recommended for 1.2Hd, our
results showed that about 15 to 20%
of the energy, as compared to a smooth spillway flow, conditions, model C1B1 (33 steps) displayed the most
was dissipated even at 1.4Hd. Finally, Fr1 at the toe of efficient energy dissipation ratio and shortest Lj/Hd, as
the spillway was significantly reduced for the optimal compared to models C2B2 (19 steps), C1B2 (28 steps),
stepped spillway geometry. or C2B1 (26 steps). This is mainly due to the fact that
More steps on the spillway face mean a better steps act as macro-roughness elements that increase
expenditure of energy and a shorter hydraulic jump. friction in a sustainable way thus changing the flow’s
This is evidenced by the fact that, under similar kinetic energy into heat or thermal energy. Therefore,

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156 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

having more steps means more energy drops to slow References


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Acknowledgements CIRIA. 1978. The Hydraulic Design of Stepped Spillways,


Second Edition, R033M, CIRIA, currently available
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grant. Degoutte, G., L. Peyras and P. Royet. 1992. “Skimming
Flow in Stepped Spillway.” Discussion, Journal
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Gabrielle Amorim Sena Souza - gabiass@hotmail.com - IP: 187.57.152.161

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