A methodology for the design of dam spillways with wedge shaped blocks based on numerical modeling

Wedge shaped blocks spillways are an innovative solution that allows spilling over the downstream shoulder of earth and rock-fill dams in a safe way. However, they have been barely used as main spillway due to the lack of practical design criteria. An innovative procedure for computer-aided design o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: San Mauro, Javier, Toledo, M.Á., Salazar, Fernando, Caballero, F.J.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/165562
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/165562
https://dx.doi.org/10.23967/j.rimni.2018.11.001
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Numerical analysis
Dam
spillway
ACB
wedge-shaped-block
protections
CFD
Presa
aliviadero
bloque en forma de cuña
protecciones
Anàlisi numèrica
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Matemàtiques i estadística::Anàlisi numèrica
Descripción
Sumario:Wedge shaped blocks spillways are an innovative solution that allows spilling over the downstream shoulder of earth and rock-fill dams in a safe way. However, they have been barely used as main spillway due to the lack of practical design criteria. An innovative procedure for computer-aided design of wedge shaped blocks spillways is presented in this paper. It includes the design of the drainage and supporting layer considering its seepage capacity and stability. The leakage flow through the joints between blocks is estimated by means of a numerical model calibrated and validated from experimental results. Stability against sliding of the downstream shoulder or the drainage layer is ensured, considering the properties of the granular material selected by the designer and non-linear resistance laws. The procedure will also suggest the shape of a toe protection.