Energy Dissipation Structures

Energy Dissipation Structures : which designed in order to control and disperse excess
hydraulic energy to prevent channel erosion and scouring downstream of hydraulic structures.
When spillway flows fall from reservoir pool level to downstream river level, a large part of
static head (total head reduces by losses) is converted into kinetic energy. This energy manifests
itself in the form of high velocities which if impeded, results in large pressures. On the other
hand, if the high energy of flow is not dissipated, serious erosion to stream bed and damage to
hydraulic structures may be caused. Statistics and studies made by International Commission
on Large Dams (ICOLD) show that more than 20% of dam accidents occurred due to poor
provision of energy dissipation arrangements. Energy dissipaters are one of the most important
parts of dams and it is required when there is an excess energy. Various case studies related to
damages of spillways and stilling basins and tail channel erosion are reported all over the world.

Excess Energy : it mean excess water velocity which causes erosion and / or scouring in an
open channel. Therefore, excess energy should be dissipated in such a way as to avoid erosion
in unlined open channel. The excess energy may be locate at
1- Channel constructions such as gates, weir and spillway.
2- Steep longitudinal bed slopes.
3- Drop on elevation.

Factors affecting design of energy dissipaters

i) Nature of foundations (geological conditions)
ii) Magnitude of floods and their recurrence
iii) Velocity of flow
iv) Orientation of flow
v) Tail water rating curve (i.e. depth-discharge relationship of the downstream water course at
the site of the structure).

Hydraulic Jump as Energy Dissipater

As the water flows over spillway or under sluice gate, the potential energy possessed
by water gets converted into kinetic energy. In case of spillway, by the time water
reaches the toe of spillway, it takes the form of high velocity jet. This high velocity
jet has lot of scouring potential. When this supercritical flow passes through the
solid boundary it leads to cavitation. But, when hydraulic jump forms, the
supercritical flow converts into subcritical flow with the rise in depth of water and
there is reduction in velocity of water.

35
 Hydraulic jump is a rapid change in the depth of flow from a low stage to a high stage and is
considered as the best way for dissipating energy present in moving water downstream of
hydraulic structures.

The hydraulic jump used for energy dissipation is usually confined partly or entirely to a
downstream channel reach that is known as stilling basin. The bottom of the basin is paved
to resist scouring. In practice, the stilling basin is seldom designed to confine the entire
length of a free hydraulic jump on the paved apron, because such a basin would be too
expensive. Consequently, accessories to control the jump are usually installed in the basin.
The main purpose of such control is to shorten the range within which the jump will take
place and thus to reduce the size and cost of the stilling basin. The control has additional
advantages, like; it improves the dissipation function of the basin, stabilizes the jump action
and in some cases increases the factor of safety. In designing a stilling basin using
hydraulic jump as energy dissipater, following practical features should be considered.

36
Practical applications of the hydraulic jump are many:-
1- To dissipate energy in water flowing over dams, weirs, and other hydraulic structures and thus
prevent scouring downstream from the structures.
2- To recover head or raise the water level on the downstream side of a measuring flume and thus
maintain high water level in the channel for irrigation or other water-distribution purposes.
3- To increase the weight on an apron and thus resists uplift pressure under a masonry structures
by raising the water depth on the apron.
4- To increase the discharge of a sluice by holding back tailwater, since the effective head will be
reduced if the tailwater is allowed to drown the jump.
5- To indicate special flow conditions, such as the existence of supercritical flow or the presence
of a control section so that a gaging station may be located.
6- To mix chemicals used for water purification, and so forth.
7- To aerate water for city water supplies.
8- To remove air pockets from water-supply lines and thus prevent air locking.

37