Experimental Results for Full-Scale Composite and Steel Wickets at Smithland Facility

Abstract

Experimental results for full-scale composite and steel wickets at the Olmsted Prototype Wicket Dam, Smithland Facility, Smithland, Ky. are compared to evaluate their performance under various flow and operating conditions. A composite wicket, along with four traditionally coated steel gates, was installed in this facility. A series of flow experiments measured the responses of the steel and composite wickets under anticipated service-load conditions. The composite structure was built of Morrison Molded Fiberglass (MMFG) Extren 625 glass/vinylester pultruded sheets, stiffened transversely and longitudinally by MMFG Extren 625 I-beams. The Smithland facility provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility of using low-cost composite materials in navigation structures. This facility also provided a major testing ground to measure the relative fitness of various wicket components in terms of their durability, serviceability, and reliability under service conditions. A good correlation of acceleration and pressure time-history data for both composite and steel prototype wickets was obtained. The l;;omposite gate has a much greater vibratory response (in amplitude) than the prototype steel gate under similar operating conditions. No major sign of distress inhibiting the use of these wickets is observed in either the steel or the composite gates.