Spillway: Structural component of the dam that evacuates

flood wave from reservoir to river at the downstream.

 Is safety valve of the dam
DESIGN RETURN PERIOD
From 100 yrs for diversion weir to 15,000 yrs or more
(Probable Maximum Flood-PMF) for earth-fill dams

TYPES OF SPILLWAYS
 More common types are:
(1) Overflow (Ogee crested)
(2) Chute
(3) Side Channel
(4) Shaft
(5) Siphon
altunkaynak.net
 1) OVERFLOW SPILLWAYS

 Most of the spillways are overflow types

• They have large capacities
• They have higher hydraulic conformities
• They can use successfully for all types of dams
• Allows the passage of flood wave over its crest
• Used on often concrete gravity, arch and buttress dams
• Constructed as a separate reinforced concrete structure
at one side of the fill-typed dams
• Classified as uncontrolled (ungated) and controlled (gated)

altunkaynak.net
 Ideal Spillway Shape
The underside of the nappe of a sharp-crested weir when
Q=Qmax
EGL
ha
Ho H yo
H

Sharp crested
weir AIR P AIR

The Overflow spillway

altunkaynak.net
 A-Design Discharge of Spillway
 Design discharge of an overflow spillway can be
determined by integrating velocity distribution over the
cross-sectional flow area on the spillway from the crest to
the free surface.

 The equation can be obtained as below

Qo = Co L Ho3/2
where
 Qo is the design discharge of spillway
 Co is discharge coefficient
 L is the effective crest length
 Ho is total head over the spillway crest

altunkaynak.net
 Determined from Figures for the vertical overflow spillways
as a function of P (spillway height) / Ho (total head)

• USE Fig. to modify Co for inclined upstream face.

• USE Fig. to obtain Co for heads other than design head.
• USE Fig 4.8 to reflect “apron effect” on Co.
• USE Fig. to reflect “tail-water effect” on Co.

 The overall Co  multiplying each effects of each case

altunkaynak.net
 B-Design Discharge of Spillway

 If the gates are partially opened, the discharge can be computed

as following
Q = 2/3 (2g)0.5 C L (H13/2- H23/2)
Where
 g is the gravitational
 C is the discharge coefficient for a partially open gate
 L is the effective crest length
 H1 and H2 are the heads as defined in Figure 4.4

C: Discharge Coefficient determined from Figure 4.10

altunkaynak.net
 CREST GATES
 Provide additional storage above the crest
 See Fig. 4.11 for Primitive types of gates.
 See Fig. 4.11 for Underflow gates.
 Common types: radial and rolling
CREST PROFILES
 The ideal shape of overflow spillway crest under design
conditions for a vertical upstream face is recommended by
USBR (1987) 0.282 H
o

0.175 Ho Origin of Coordinates

x

R=0.5 Ho
R=0.2 Ho

y altunkaynak.net
 The values of “K” and “n” in the parabolic relation given in
Fig. 4.12 can be determined from Figure 4.13.

 The pressure distribution on the bottom of the spillway face

depends on
 The smoothness of the crest profile.
Important Note:

 The upstream face of the crest is formed by smooth curves

in order to minimize the separation
 For a smooth spillway face, the velocity head loss over the
spillway can be ignored.

altunkaynak.net
 If H (head) > Ho  p < patm. ↔ “overflowing water” may lose
contact with the spillway face, which results in the formation of a
vacuum at the point of separation and CAVITATION may occur.

 In order to prevent cavitation, sets sets of ramps are placed on the

face of overflow spillways so that the jet leaves the contact with the
surface.

EGL

H>Ho
Ho

Subatmospheric
Flow Direction Spillway Pressure Zone
Crest

Development of negative pressures at the spillway crest for H>Ho

altunkaynak.net
 Energy Dissipation at the Toe of Overflow Spillway

 Excessive turbulent energy at the toe of an overflow spillway

can be dissipated by a hydraulic jump, which is a phenomenon
caused by the change in the stream regime from supercritical
to subcritical with considerable energy dissipation.
 should be done to prevent scouring at the river bed.

hL
Ho ΔE
EGL

E1 E2
P
y2
y1
(O) (1) (2)
altunkaynak.net
 Sequent depth of the hydraulic jump, y2 can be determined
from the momentum equation between sections (1) and (2).
Ignoring the friction between these sections, the momentum
equation for a rectangular basin can be written as

with

altunkaynak.net
 and after simplification

and

Where
• Fr1 is the flow Froude number at section (1).
The energy loss through the hydraulic jump in a rectangular basin
is computed from

altunkaynak.net
 Case 1:

• If the tailwater depth, y3, is coincident with the

sequent depth, y2, the hydraulic jump forms just at
toe of the spillway as shown in Figure below

Flow conditions for y2=y3

y2=y3
y1
(1) (2)

altunkaynak.net
 Case 2:
• If the tailwater depth is less than the required sequent depth,
the jump moves toward the downstream, as can be seen from
Figure below.
• This case should be eliminated, because water flows at a very
high velocity having a destructive effect on the apron.

Flow conditions for y2>y3

y1 y2>y3

(1) (2)

altunkaynak.net
 Case 3 :

 If the tailwater depth is greater than the required sequent

depth as shown in Figure below

Flow conditions for y2<y3

y2 < y3

altunkaynak.net
 REMINDERS:
1) “y1” (depth at the toe)  a supercritical depth and
determined from “Energy Eq.” between upstream of
spillway and the toe

2) If “y2” (tailwater depth) is subcritical  a HYDRAULIC

JUMP between y1 and y2 (toe and tailwater, see case1).
3) “y2 ” (conjugate depth)  determined from Eq. for
rectangular basin.

altunkaynak.net
• CHUTE SPILLWAYS
• SIDE CHANNEL SPILLWAYS
• SHAFT SPILLWAYS
• SIPHON SPILLWAYS

altunkaynak.net
 SPILLWAY
• A spillway is a structure used to
provide for the controlled release
of flows from a dam or levee into
a downstream area, typically being
the river that was dammed.

• to prevent overtopping and

possible failure of the dam.

Four Mile Dam, Australia –

Ogee Spillway

18
Upper South Dam, Australia – Ogee
Spillway

19
 20
Source:http://www.leanhtuan.com/
Hoover Dam – Spillway Crest

21
Hoover Dam – Spillway

22
New Cronton Dam NY – Stepped
Chute Spillway

23
Sippel Weir, Australia – Drop Spillway

24
Four Mile Dam, Australia – Ogee
Spillway

25
Upper South Dam, Australia – Ogee
Spillway

26
Itaipu Dam, Uruguay – Chute
Spillway

27
Itaipu Dam – Flip Bucket

28
• Common type of spillways:

1) Free over fall/straight drop

spillways
2) Overflow or ogee spillways.
3) Chute spillways
4) Siphon saddle spillway

29
Free overfall or straight drop spillway

•In this type, water drops freely from the crest.

•Occasionally the crest is extended in the form of

overhanging lip to direct small discharges away from the
face of overfall section.

30
Ogee or overflow spillway

•The Ogee spillway is generally provided in rigid dams and forms a

part of the main dam itself if sufficient length is available.
•The overflow type spillway has a crest shaped in the form of an
ogee or S-shape.
•The upper curve at the crest may be made either larger or sharper
than the nappe.
Chute spillway

•chute spillways are used in flow ways where water is to be

lowered from one level to another and where it is desirable to
avoid a stilling basin.
•These are mostly used with earth dams and have the following
merit.
It can be provided on any type of foundations.
Simplicity of design.
However this type of spillway should not be provided
where too many bends are to be given as per topography.

Baffle apron or chute spillway

Saddle spillways

•A siphon spillway is a closed conduit system formed in the shape of

an inverted U.

•This type of siphon is also called a Saddle siphon spillway.

•Siphonic action takes place after the air in the bend over the
crest has been exhausted.

33
 Required spillway capacity

• Spillway capacity should be equal to the max. outflow rate

determined by flood routing. The following data are required for
the flood routing.

I. Inflow flood hydrograph-Indicates rate of inflow respect to

time.
II. Reservoir capacity curve-indicates the reservoir storage at
different reservoir elevations.
III. Outflow discharge curve-indicates the rate of outflow through
spillways at different reservoir elevations.

34
 Overflow Spillway
Basic equation flow over weirs,
Where
Q=discharge m3/s

Q  Cd Le H e
3/ 2 Cd=coefficient of discharge
Le=effective length
He=actual effective head

He  Hd  Ha Hd=design head
Ha=head due to velocity of approach
(sometimes neglected)

Le = effective width of crest

L’ = net width of crest(clear waterway x
Le  L'2( N * K p  K a )H e no.of spans)
N = number of piers
Kp = pier contraction coefficient
Ka = abutment contraction coefficient

35
 Contraction Coefficients
Table 1: Pier Contraction Coefficient (Kp)

Table 2: Abutment Contraction Coefficient (Ka)

*Pier contraction coefficient depends on several factors such as shape and

location of pier nose, thickness of piers and velocity of approach.
*Abutment contraction coefficient depends on factors such as shape of
abutment and velocity of approach.
• Design head, Hd
Q
H d
 3/ 2
Cd Le

•Downstream profile

•d/s profile of spillway can be represented by

x,y= coordinates of the point on the spillway

surface
Hd=design head
K,n= constant, depend on inclination of the
upstream face of spillway
37
 Different inclination of upstream face of spillway
*For overspillway/ogee, the upstream face is vertical

•The slope of the d/s face of the

overflow dam usually varies in the
range of 0.7:1 to 0.8:1

•Z is total fall from the upstream

water level to the floor level

•P is height of spillway crest above the

bed.
•Y depth of flow at toe
•R is radius
•V is velocity of flow at toe 38
slope of the d/s face of the overflow section

dy 1

dx 0.8

39
C. vs. 

40
 Cd. vs. (P/Hd)

(P/Hd)>1.33, velocity is neglected

Tailwater Effect on C

42
 Problem 01
Problem 01: An overflow spillway with the upstream face vertical is to
be designed for a flood peak of 3000 m3/s. The height of the
spillway crest is kept at RL 130.50 m. The average river bed level
at the site is 102.50 m. The number of spans is 6, clear waterway
between piers is 12 m, thickness of the pier is 2 m, pier
contraction coefficient, Kp = 0.02 and abutment contraction
coefficient, Ka = 0.20 for the effect of end contraction. Assume
the coefficient of discharge is 2.20 and the slope of the d/s face
of the overflow section is 0.8: 1.

• Determine the design head by neglecting the end contraction.

• What will happen if the design head is determined by taking the
effect of end contraction of piers and spans?
• Determine the tangent point of x ordinate of the downstream
profile from the origin of the crest.

*R.L is reservoir level

Solution
• Peak flow, Q=3000 m3/s.
• The no. of spans is 6,
• clear waterway between piers is 12 m,
• thickness of the pier is 2 m,
• pier contraction coefficient, Kp = 0.02
• abutment contraction coefficient, Ka = 0.20
• Coefficient of discharge, C is 2.20
• Slope of the d/s face of the overflow section is 0.8: 1.

Determine the design head by neglecting the end contraction.

Q  CLH 3/ 2

Neglecting the end contraction, so we calculate L= L’

L’ =clear waterway x no.of spans
L=12 x 6 = 72m
44
a) Determine the design head

Q  CLH 3/ 2
H  3/ 2
Q
CL
3000
H  3/ 2  7.11m
2.2(72)

b) design head is determined by taking the effect of end

contraction of piers and spans
N=6
Le  L  2( N * K p  K a )H d Kp=0.02
Ka=0.2
Le  72  2(6 * 0.02  0.2)7.11
Le  72  4.55  67.45m
3000
H d
 3/ 2  7.42m
2.2(67.45)

45
 P=Height of spillway crest at R.L- average river bed level at the site
=130.5-102.5
=28 m

Check,
P/Hd = 28/7.11
= 3.94 ~~greater than 1.33
So effect of velocity can be neglected

He=Hd+Ha(due to velocity~0)
He = Hd

c) Determine the tangent point of x ordinate of the downstream profile

from the origin of the crest.
. n 1

n
X K ( H e )y For vertical
upstream
X n
K=2, n=1.85
y n 1
K(He )

X 1.85
y
2(7.110.85 )
 X 1.85 X 1.85 X 1.85
y y   0.094 X 1.85
2(7.110.85 ) 2(7.110.85 ) 2(7.110.85 )

Differentiate both sides with respect to x

y  0.094 X 1.85
dy
 0.174(0.1X 1.851 )
dx
dy
 0.174 X 0.85
dx
Since slope of the d/s face of the overflow section is 0.8: 1, So...

dy 1
 1
dx 0.8  1  0.85
x 
1
 0.174 X 0.85  0.8 * 0.174 
0.8 x  10.17m
End