Piano Key Weir: Reservoir versus Channel Application
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 8
Abstract
The piano key (PK) weir is a relatively new nonlinear weir geometry that can be used to increase spillway discharge capacity over linear weir geometries, particularly when the weir footprint area is restricted (e.g., spillways on the crest of a concrete dam). The majority of the published PK weir research (e.g., head-discharge curves) has been based on channelized applications (sectional PK weir models in laboratory flumes). The head-discharge characteristics of crest-of-dam PK weir applications are influenced by the approach flow conditions. Using a laboratory-scale physical model, the hydraulic efficiency of a PK weir design was tested with varying approach flow depths, upstream apron slopes, and abutment details. In general, discharge efficiency increased with increasing approach flow depth, steeper approach aprons, and improved abutment geometries that reduced the effects of flow separation.
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Acknowledgments
Research funding was provided by the State of Utah and the Utah Water Research Laboratory (Utah State University).
References
Anderson, R. M. (2011). “Piano key weir head discharge relationships.” M.S. thesis, Utah State Univ., Logan, UT.
Henderson, F. M. (1966). “Channel controls.” Open channel flow, Nordby, G., ed., Macmillan, New York, 174–175.
Laugier, F. (2007). “Design and construction of the first piano key weir spillway at Goulours dam.” Int. J. Hydropower Dams, 14(5), 94–100.
Laugier, F. (2009). “Design and construction of a labyrinth PKW spillway at Saint-Marc dam, France.” Int. J. Hydropower Dams, 15(5), 100–107.
Lempérière, F. (2009). “New labyrinth weirs triple the spillways discharge.” 〈http://www.hydrocoop.org〉 (Feb. 8, 2010).
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© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 5, 2011
Accepted: Feb 7, 2012
Published online: Feb 9, 2012
Published in print: Aug 1, 2012
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