Influence of Operational Timing on the Efficiency of Venting Turbidity Currents
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 9
Abstract
Reservoir sedimentation is gaining growing attention as dams are aging, due to economic and environmental consequences. Venting of turbidity currents is one of many sediment management techniques, highly recommended when water is in shortage. The venting operation is experimentally investigated using two reservoir bed slopes. The main research questions concern the opening timing of bottom outlets and the duration of venting. The timings tested are relative to the arrival of the current at the outlet. The results showed that in-time venting, synchronized with the arrival of the turbidity current at the outlet, is more efficient than early or late venting. It is recommended to start opening the gates when the turbidity current is around 300 m upstream of the outlet, so that the evacuation is synchronized with the arrival of the current at the dam. Additionally, venting should not be stopped immediately after the end of the turbidity current flow but should instead last for a certain time in order to evacuate the muddy lake depending on the outflow discharge.
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Acknowledgments
The funding of this research study entitled Efficiency of turbidity currents venting under varied outflow discharge was provided by Swisselectric Research with the additional support of the Swiss Committee on Dams.
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Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 9 • September 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 19, 2017
Accepted: Mar 28, 2018
Published online: Jul 9, 2018
Published in print: Sep 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Dec 9, 2018
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