Numerical simulation to evaluate the effect of the stepped chute on abrasion erosion of a stilling basin type III

Abstract

Hundreds of concrete cubic meters may be ruined due to the abrasion erosion in several strategic hydraulic structures. Such unfavorable action can cause serious dangers, impose high maintenance costs, and reduce these structures’ life span. The high-velocity water flow, which carries large amounts of sediments, is the main cause of this phenomenon. This study was directed to evaluate the possibility of minimizing the abrasion action by changing the hydraulic structure design criteria; a numerical simulation was conducted depending on the FLOW3D program. It aimed to evaluate the effect of using a stepped spillway chute on the applied water pressure and the flow velocity along the type III stilling basin. The numerical simulation results showed that using a stepped chute instead of the traditional smooth chute provided a better water pressure distribution and reduced the maximum applied pressure by approximately 28.8 to 68.2%. Moreover, it also reduced the flow velocity along the stilling basin. Thus, the stepped chute use can be considered a possible solution to reduce abrasion erosion hazards in hydraulic structures.