Numerical analysis of flow downstream of a reverse Tainter gate

Abstract

The reverse Tainter gates are frequently used in flow control for fi lling and emptying systems of high lift navigation locks. In order to better understand the dynamics of the downstream flow of this gate, a research that seeks to associate the numerical modeling with experimental analysis is being conducted in order to identify the characteristics of the flow and to enable the development of solutions that avoid damage to the structure, since they are subject to several harmful hydraulic phenomena. This paper presents some of the results obtained in the numerical simulations of flow through a reverse Tainter gate. Cases in steady flow condition were studied for different volumetric flow rates and percentages of gate opening. The numerical results of average pressures at the bottom and at the top of the downstream conduit of the gate were compared with the results obtained in the experimental model. The results obtained with the numerical model are in agreement with the experimental results. Key words: navigation locks, reverse Tainter gate, numerical simulation, CFX.