Abstract
The Inka site of Tipon had many unique hydraulic engineering features that have modern hydraulic theory counterparts. For example, the Tipon channel system providing water to the Principal Fountain had a channel contraction inducing critical flow as determined by CFD analysis- this feature designed to induce flow stability and preserve the aesthetic display of the downstream Waterfall. The Main Aqueduct channel sourced by the Pukara River had a given flow rate to limit channel overbank spillage induced by a hydraulic jump at the steep-mild slope transition channel location as determined by use of modern CFD methods- this flow rate corresponds to the duplication of the actual flow rate used in the modern restoration using flow blockage plates placed in the channel to limit over-bank spillage. Additional hydraulic features governing the water supply to agricultural terraces for specialty crops constitute further sophisticated water management control systems discussed in detail in the text.
Highlights
The site of Tipon, located in the proximity of Cuzco, provides an example of Inka hydraulic engineering knowledge and civil engineering practice as demonstrated by the design and operation of the site’s complex water system
For the Principal Fountain, the input water flow rate was carefully controlled by subsidiary canals, a spring source and aqueduct flow to control the flow rate to ensure fountain aesthetics during seasonal changes in spring water supply
The realization that a control sluice gate to divert excess flow from the aqueduct beyond its design flow rate was a necessary part of the aqueduct system design to eliminate spillage was acknowledgement of the thought process behind Inka hydraulic engineering practice
Summary
The site of Tipon, located in the proximity of Cuzco, provides an example of Inka hydraulic engineering knowledge and civil engineering practice as demonstrated by the design and operation of the site’s complex water system. The water engineering knowledge base is revealed by analysis of the Tipon’s use of river and spring-sourced surface and subterranean channels that transport, distribute, and drain water to/from multiple agricultural platforms, reservoirs, and urban occupation and ceremonial centers. Complex intersecting surface and subterranean channel systems that regulate water flows from diverse sources provide water to Tipon’s thirteen agricultural platforms to maintain different ground moisture levels to sustain specialty crops. To understand the water technology used by the Inka to design the site’s water system, use of modern hydraulic theory is employed to examine key elements of the Principal Fountain and the Main Aqueduct to determine the design intent and civil engineering knowledge base used by Inka engineers. Results of the analysis show an Inka hydraulic technology utilizing complex engineering principles similar to those used in modern civil engineering practice centuries ahead of their formal discovery in western hydraulic science
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