Abstract
ABSTRACT Stepped spillways have been widely used for flood runoff due to of their constructive advantages and in regards to energy dissipation during the drop, allowing downstream dissipation structures to be designed in smaller dimensions. Due to the need for further studies on the effect of runoff in the chute of the stepped spillway and the analysis of dimensionless numbers used to characterize the longitudinal distribution of the pressures acting on the faces of the steps of a spillway, this study aims to characterize the acting forces on the steps of said spillways. Analyses were performed on a physical model of spillway with a slope of 1V: 0.75H and steps with a height of 6 centimeters. The pressure fields on the steps were analyzed and compared with results found in literature. As a general finding concerning the pressure in the horizontal faces, it was ascertained that the traction and the compression loads have relatively similar magnitudes, the negative pressures being more intense. Regarding the maximum pressures at the horizontal faces of the steps, it should be emphasized that the maximum values of compression have occurred at the end of the chute and that the lower discharges yielded higher values of pressure coefficients.
Highlights
Dams are structures used by mankind for centuries for a wide range of intents, such as water storage for supply purposes, for flood protection, and power generation, among others
The chute are constituted of steps with the objective of increasing the energy dissipation during the drop, enabling the downstream dissipation structures to be designed in smaller dimensions
The following are the results of mean pressures (Cpm), floating pressures (Cpσ), minimum pressures (Cp0.1%) and maximum pressures (Cp99.9%) in the vertical faces, m the measured values, all presented in the form of pressure coefficients
Summary
Dams are structures used by mankind for centuries for a wide range of intents, such as water storage for supply purposes, for flood protection, and power generation, among others. The use of stepped spillways as a form of energy dissipation is growing because of its great efficiency in reducing residual energy, for certain flow conditions, compared to smooth chutes and the development of the constructive technique of roller compacted concrete dams (RCC). Due to these factors, there is a need for more in-depth studies on the effect of the flow in the spillway structure, including the analysis of resulting pressures and forces acting on the steps, making it possible to achieve designs that are efficient, economical, and above all, that add security to the dams. According to Dai Prá et al (2016), only as of the seventies, with the arise of new materials and constructive techniques, such as roller compacted concrete (RCC) and gabion structures, the interest in stepped chutes started to once again attract researchers and professionals in the field of hydraulic engineering
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
