A hybrid approach to assess the hydraulic structures rehabilitation work, case study: El-Bagoureya head regulator, Egypt

Abstract

This research paper presents an integrated approach in dealing with the hydraulic models to investigate the impact of the reinforcement and maintenance work of the hydraulic structures, and presenting a case study of the El Bagoureya Regulator. The reinforcement works for El Bagoureya Regulator include the regulator's stilling basin, which will have to be filled with a reinforced concrete mattress, the extension of the central piers to the end of the winged wall, and finally the construction of a new concrete weir at the end of the winged wall downstream of the regulator. During the rehabilitation works, the flow will therefore pass through the navigation channel of the lock. The aim of the study is therefore to investigate the lock capacity to allow the maximum flows through at constant water levels and to meet the water demand. The study also examines the efficiency of the proposed solution and the impact on the hydraulic condition of the canal. The required protection and dredging both upstream and downstream of the lock were also studied. Therefore, A 2D numerical hydraulic model was integrated with a physical model at an appropriate scale as a near-field model. The results show a good correlation between the two models. The physical model confirmed the results of the numerical model and guaranteed the hydraulic efficiency of the proposed reinforcing structure. The results show that the proposed reinforcement works improved the flow pattern and the distribution of the flow velocity downstream of the pressure regulator. It also confirms that the navigation lock is capable of handling the high discharge during the rehabilitation works while maintaining the same operating water level. Finally, the physical model has ensured the stability of the proposed protection of the bottom upstream, downstream the navigation lock and downstream the regulator at the end of the stilling basin.