Cavitation Potential of Flow on Stepped Spillways
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 6
Abstract
Cavitation on spillways has proven to be an undesirable condition. The formation of vapor-filled bubbles and cavities and their eminent collapse has led to significant damage to major spillway components and appurtenant structures worldwide. Although stepped spillways are thought to be less prone to cavitation damage than smooth spillways, designers continue conservative practices regarding specifying stepped spillways at many sites. Using laboratory experiments in a specialized reduced ambient pressure chamber, cavitation was shown to form on stepped geometries that are representative of typical stepped spillways currently in service. Experiments in a nonaerated closed conduit revealed the strength and extents of the highly intense shear layer that forms above the step tips, and the friction characteristics were determined and compared with results from previous researchers. Advanced techniques for detecting cavitation characteristics along with high-speed videography have given additional insight into the flow features that drive the formation of cavitation. Finally, a correlation between the critical cavitation index and the common friction factor is shown, extending the data that also includes shear layers resulting from uniformly distributed roughnesses, jets, and wakes.
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Acknowledgments
The funding for these and related studies was provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Dam Safety Office’s Technology Development Program and Science and Technology Program. Dr. Renna’s support during her stay at the Reclamation Laboratory was provided through the Technical University of Bari, Italy. Prof. Matos’s support was provided through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology-FCT (Project PTDC/ECM/108128/2008).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 6 • June 2013
Pages: 630 - 636
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 16, 2012
Accepted: Dec 4, 2012
Published online: Dec 6, 2012
Published in print: Jun 1, 2013
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