2.4.
Classification based on Pertinent Features
2.4.1 Free Overfall and Vertical Drop Spillways
2.4.1.1 Description Free Overafall
The control structure is a high/ low height, narrow crested weir with vertical or
near vertical downstream face and the water falls freely more or less vertical
Arch dam
Scour hole
Fig 2.7 Free overfall spillway
It is suited for thin arch or buttress overflow dams or to a crest which has a
nearly vertical downstream face.
The underside of the nappe is sufficiently ventilated to prevent a pulsating,
fluctuating jet.
If the stream bed does not consist of sound rock, scouring of the stream bed may
occur.
Where erosion can not be tolerated, artificial pool or stilling basins are
provided.
It is not suitable where the foundation is weak the apron is subjected to large
impact forces which may cause vibration
El Atazar Dam (Spain)
Gebidem Dam (Switzerland).
Fig 2.8 Some pictures of free overfall spillways
Kariba Dam (Zambazi river)
128m high Arch Dam built
in 1955-1959 on Zambazi
River
Six spillways openings with
9m x 9m
9500 m3/s 1:10,000yr flood
Scour hole depth > 80m
Fig 2.9 Kariba dam
Fig 2.10 Kariba Dam scour depth
2.4.1.2 Hydraulics of Free overfall
The hydraulics problems of free overfall spillways are concerned with
The flow control at the crest
Energy dissipation at stilling basin
A: Overflow crest
Standard ogee crest profile is suitable
Since the width at the top of the arch is very narrow, it will be adjusted
with overhangs on upstream or downstream sides.
Three types of profiles
Profiles terminating such that the overflow jet is directed to fall on the
concrete apron for the entire range of discharges. Fig A
Profiles with nappe splitters to effect aeration of the jet and spreading
over larger area Fig B (Force on slab reduced, depth of erosion reduced)
Profiles with ski jump buckets to deflect the jet far away Fig C
A B
Fig 2.11 Profiles for Free overfall spillways
B. Stilling Basin
Artifical basin provided to facilitate energy dissipation
The stilling basin design involves determining
the elevation of the invert vis-a-vis water cushion,
length, width and other structural elements.
There are, however, no set rules or procedure for design of such stilling
basins.
Many investigators have studied the characteristics of the free falling,
vertical jets of circular cross-section that issue from the nozzles or orifices,
jets of rectangular cross-section, and nappes.
the spread and diffusion in the mass of water and
energy and pressures imparted on the pool bottom.
Jet core
Water cushion
Stilling basin
floor
Energy dissipation mechanism
Spreading of the plunging jet
Air entrainment
Diffusion in the pool
Impact with the floor
Fig 2.12 Free overfall jet
Fig 2.13 Schematics of impingment of a plunging jet Zone A – Dev’t of vortices
Jet breakup length Zone B – Vortices breakup form turb
Jet drop length
Zone C – Jet breakup to water dropl
Preliminary Design Guideline for Stilling Basin
Length (L)
The length of the basin
a) should be adequate to contain the zone of impingement of the jet, and
b) should include a length where the effect of impinging pressures is nullified
or greatly reduced. This distance is approximately 1/3 y from the point of
impingement.
L
Width (W)
This may be equal to the width of the spillway, but often governed by the
space available at the base of the spillway.
Depth of the Water Cushion (Y)
The invert elevation of the stilling basin floor is generally set at or near the
available bedrock. Deepening the basin to obtain larger depth of water cushion
is generally avoided and instead artificial cushion by constructing a subsidiary
dam or sill in the downstream,is preferred. However, there remains the question
of dissipation of energy and protection downstream of the subsidiary dam.
Y = 14 Bj
Once the preliminary design of the stilling basins are established, physical
model studies will be carried out to establish the final design
Straight Drop Spillway
As in free overfall spillways, the flow in striaght drop spillways drops
freely from the crest.
This type of spillway is most suitable for low earth-fill dams, for disposal
structure for storm runoff schemes, and as canal falls.
Fig 2.15 Straight drop spillways
2.4.1.4 Hydraulic Design
The dimension of the stilling basin for straight drop spillways depends on
The specific discharge, q
The drop height, h
The various parameters shown in Fig 2.15 can be described by functions of
a dimensionless number, the drop number,
