Low-Head Hydraulic Structures in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering: Challenging Operation and Design Implications
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 5
Abstract
Irrigation and drainage engineering encompasses the human-made supply of water as well as the artificial drainage of excess water. A basic feature of many historical and modern irrigation and drainage systems has been the integrated use of hydraulic structures, most often low-head structures. These structures play a key role in water storage, conveyance, flow control and measurement, and energy dissipation. Yet, most systems are often designed assuming relatively simplistic design flow conditions. In this contribution, a number of relevant key challenges for hydraulic structures used in irrigation and drainage systems are discussed, using the operation of minimum energy loss weirs, the nonlinear behaviors of circular-crested weirs and the instabilities in fish-friendly box culverts equipped with sidewall baffles as examples. Altogether, the design approach of many hydraulic structures needs a rethink, far beyond the naive optimization for simplistic design flow conditions, with a greater focus on the safe and efficient operation across a broad range of less-than-design discharges, to be embedded in the design optimization approach.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, or models that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Hubert Chanson thanks a large number of colleagues, former students, and current students, including Professor Colin J. Apelt, Mr. Jason Harley, Ms. Jiayue (Gloria) Hu, Dr. Xinqian (Sophia) Leng, Dr. Youkai Li, Mr. Oscar Memory, and Dr. Rui (Ray) Shi (in alphabetical order). He further acknowledges helpful discussions with Dr. Brian Crookston, Dr. Carlos Gonzalez, Professor Jorge Matos, and Mr. Chris Russell (in alphabetical order). The author also acknowledges some helpful exchanges with Professor Hang Wang (Sichuan University) who read an early draft, Dr. Frédéric Murzyn (ESTACA), who read a later draft, and Professor Colin J. Apelt (University of Queensland). The technical assistance of Mr. Jason Van Der Gevel and Mr. Stewart Matthews is greatly acknowledged.
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Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 5 • October 2024
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Published online: Jul 9, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
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