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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419231
Research Project: Development of a Monitoring Network, Engineering Tools, and Guidelines for the Design, Analysis, and Rehabilitation of Embankment Dams, Hydraulic Structures, and Channels

Location: Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit

Title: Generating a service spillway rating using both physical and 3D CFD modeling

Author
item Heiner, Bryan
item FOX, BRIAN - Flow Sciences, Inc

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/21/2024
Publication Date: 9/25/2024
Citation: Heiner, B.J., Fox, B. 2024. Generating a service spillway rating using both physical and 3D CFD modeling. Meeting Abstract. ASDSO Dam Safety 2024 Annual Conference, Sept 22-26, 2024, Denver, CO.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: USDA-ARS has been working to develop new and/or enhance design guidance, engineering tools, software, and best management practice standards to monitor and assess the performance of dams and hydraulic structures as erosion control measures. One way to accomplish that is to have an accurate spillway rating to know the flow that is passing over a structure. Spillway ratings allow dam owners and operators to determine the discharge that is being released from their service spillways. Service spillways can have either a gated controlled discharge or an ungated free discharge. Either case requires an accurate head-discharge relationship to represent the actual flow being released under a range of reservoir elevations and gate operations. When service spillway gates are present, the relationship between reservoir elevation and discharge becomes complicated, and standardized rating curves may not be suitable. In these cases, a physical model or 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation can be used to develop site-specific rating curves to analyze all potential combinations of gate openings and reservoir elevations. Each modeling approach has benefits and drawbacks depending on the complexity and project requirements. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.