Hydraulics of Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs: 100 Years of Prototype Structures, Advancements, and Future Research Needs
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 12
Abstract
Forum papers are thought-provoking opinion pieces or essays founded in fact, sometimes containing speculation, on a civil engineering topic of general interest and relevance to the readership of the journal. The views expressed in this Forum article do not necessarily reflect the views of ASCE or the Editorial Board of the journal.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
The authors express sincere appreciation to Électricité de France, Schnabel Engineering, Société Hydroélectrique du Midi, and Freese and Nichols. They also thank Labyrinth and PK Weir Workshop Series participants, and the US-based Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) for their assistance in identifying labyrinth spillways in the United States and for sharing their field observations.
References
Anderson, R. M., and B. P. Tullis. 2013. “Piano key weir hydraulics and labyrinth weir comparison.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 139 (3): 246–253. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000530.
Blanc, P., and F. Lempérière. 2001. “Labyrinth spillways have a promising future.” Int. J. Hydropower Dams. 8 (4): 129–131.
Crookston, B. M. 2010. “Labyrinth weirs.” Ph.D. dissertations. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State Univ.
Crookston, B. M., R. M. Anderson, and B. P. Tullis. 2018. “Free-flow discharge estimations for piano key weir geometries.” J. Hydro Environ. Res. 19 (2018): 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jher.2017.10.003.
Crookston, B. M., D. Mortensen, T. Stanard, B. P. Tullis, and V. Vasquez. 2015. “Debris and maintenance of labyrinth spillways.” In Vol. I of Proc., 35th Annual USSD Conf., 63–64. Westminster, CO: USSD. CD-ROM.
Crookston, B. M., G. S. Paxson, and B. M. Savage. 2012. “Hydraulic performance of Labyrinth weirs for high headwater ratios.” In Proc., 4th Int. Symp. on Hydraulic Structures. Madrid, Spain: IAHR.
Crookston, B. M., and B. P. Tullis. 2012a. “Arced labyrinth weirs.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 138 (6): 555–562. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000553.
Crookston, B. M., and B. P. Tullis. 2012b. “Discharge efficiency of reservoir-application-specific labyrinth weirs.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 138 (6): 564–568. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000451.
Crookston, B. M., and B. P. Tullis. 2013a. “Hydraulic design and analysis of labyrinth weirs. I: Discharge relationships.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 139 (5): 363–370. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000558.
Crookston, B. M., and B. P. Tullis. 2013b. “Hydraulic design and analysis of labyrinth weirs. II: Nappe aeration, instability, and vibration.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 139 (5): 371–377. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000553.
Dabling, M. R., and B. P. Tullis. 2012. “Piano key weir submergence in channel applications.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 138 (7): 661–666. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000563.
Dabling, M. R., B. P. Tullis, and B. M. Crookston. 2013. “Staged labyrinth weir hydraulics.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 139 (11): 955–960. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000636.
Dabling, M. R., B. P. Tullis, and B. M. Crookston. 2015. “Closure to ‘Staged labyrinth weir hydraulics’ by M.R. Dabling, B.P. Tullis, and B.M. Crookston.” J. Irrig. Drain. Eng. 141 (10): 07015018. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000900.
Erpicum, S., F. Laugier, J. L. Boillat, M. Pirotton, B. Reverchon, and A. J. Schleiss. 2011a. Labyrinth and piano key weirs: PKW 2011. London: CRC Press.
Erpicum, S., F. Laugier, M. Ho, and M. Pfister. 2017. Labyrinth and piano key weirs III: PKW 2017. London: CRC Press.
Erpicum, S., F. Laugier, M. Pfister, M. Pirotton, G. Cicero, and A. J. Schleiss. 2013. Labyrinth and piano key weirs II: PKW 2013. London: CRC Press.
Erpicum, S., O. Machiels, P. Archambeau, B. Dewals, and M. Pirotton. 2011b. “Energy dissipation on a stepped spillway downstream of a piano key weir: Experimental study.” In Labyrinth and piano key weirs: PKW 2011, edited by S. Erpicum, F. Laugier, J. L. Boillat, M. Pirotton, B. Reverchon, and A. J. Schleiss, 105–111. London: CRC Press.
Erpicum, S., B. P. Tullis, M. Lodomez, P. Archambeau, B. Dewals, and M. Pirotton. 2016. “Scale effects in physical piano key weirs models.” J. Hydraul. Res. 54 (6): 692–698. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2016.1211562.
Falvey, H. T. 2003. Hydraulic design of labyrinth weirs. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Gebhardt, M., J. Herbst, J. Merkel, and F. Belzner. 2018. “Sedimentation at labyrinth weirs: An experimental study of the self-cleaning process.” J. Hydraul. Res. 57 (4): 579–590. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2018.1494053.
Gentilini, B. 1941. “Stramazzi con cresta a pianta obliqua e a zig-zag [Weirs with oblique and zig-zag crests].” [In Italian.] L’Energia Elettrica 18 (10): 653–664.
Hager, W., M. Pfister, and B. P. Tullis. 2015. “Labyrinth weirs: Developments until 1985.” In E-proc., 36th IAHR World Congress. Madrid, Spain: IAHR Secretariat.
Hinchliff, D., and K. Houston. 1984. “Hydraulic design and application of labyrinth spillways.” In Proc., 4th Annual USCOLD Lecture. Westminster, CO: USSD.
Houston, K. 1983. Hydraulic model study of Hyrum Dam auxiliary labyrinth spillway. Denver: US Bureau of Reclamation.
ICOLD (Commission Internationale des Grands Barrages). 2016. Technical advancements in spillway design: Progress and innovations from 1985 to 2015. Paris: ICOLD.
Jüstrich, S., M. Pfister, and A. J. Schleiss. 2016. “Mobile riverbed scour downstream of a piano key weir.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 142 (11): 04016043. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001189.
Kabiri-Samani, A., and A. Javaheri. 2012. “Discharge coefficient for free and submerged flow over piano key weirs.” J. Hydraul. Res. 50 (1): 114–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2011.647888.
Karimi, M., J. Attari, M. Saneie, and M. R. Jalili Ghazizadeh. 2018. “ide weir flow characteristics: Comparison of piano key, labyrinth, and linear types.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 144 (12): 04018075. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001539.
Laugier, F. 2007. “Design and construction of the first piano key weir spillway at the Goulours Dam.” Int. J. Hydropower Dams. 14 (5): 94–101.
Laugier, F., J. Vermeulen, and B. Blancher. 2017. “Overview of design and construction of 11 piano key weir spillways developed in France by EDF from 2003 to 2006,” In Labyrinth and piano key weirs III: PKW 2017, edited by S. Erpicum, F. Laugier, M. Ho, and M. Pfister, 37–51. London: CRC Press.
Leite Ribeiro, M., M. Pfister, A. J. Schleiss, and J. L. Boillat. 2012. “Hydraulic design of A-type piano key weirs.” J. Hydraul. Res. 50 (4): 400–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2012.695041.
Lempérière, F. 2009. “New labyrinth weirs triple spillways discharge.” Accessed December 10, 2013. http://www.hydrocoop.org.
Lempérière, F., and A. Ouamane. 2003. “The piano keys weir: A new cost-effective solution for spillways.” Int. J. Hydropower Dams. 10 (5): 144–149.
Lodomez, M., B. Crookston, B. Tullis, M. Pirotton, and S. Erpicum. 2016. “Nappe vibration mitigation techniques for free-overfall structures.” In Proc., 6th IAHR Int. Symp. on Hydraulic Structures, edited by B. Crookston and B. Tullis, 359–366. Logan, UT: Hydraulic Structures and Water System Management, Utah State Univ.
Lodomez, M., B. M. Crookston, B. P. Tullis, and S. Erpicum. 2018. “Mitigation techniques for Nappe oscillations on free-overfall structures.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 144 (3): 04018001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001558.
Lopes, R., J. Matos, and J. Melo. 2006. “Discharge capacity and residual energy of labyrinth weirs.” In Proc., Int. Junior Researcher and Engineer Workshop on Hydraulic Structures, Montemor-o-Novo, edited by J. Matos and H. Chanson, 47–55. Brisbane, Australia: Univ. of Queensland.
Lopes, R., J. Matos, and J. Melo. 2008. “Characteristic depths and energy dissipation downstream of a labyrinth weir.” In Proc., Int. Junior Researcher and Engineer Workshop on Hydraulic Structures (IJREWHS ‘08). Madrid, Spain: IAHR.
Machiels, O., M. Pirotton, P. Archambeau, B. J. Dewals, and S. Erpicum. 2014. “Experimental parametric study and design of piano key weirs.” J. Hydraul. Res. 52 (3): 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2013.875070.
Melo, J., C. Ramos, and A. Magalhães. 2002. “Descarregadores com soleira em labirinto de um ciclo em canais convergentes. Determinação da capacidad de vazão.” [In Portuguese.] In Proc., 6° Congresso da Água. Lisboa, Portugal: APRH. CD-ROM.
Noseda, M., I. Stojnic, M. Pfister, and A. J. Schleiss. 2019. “Upstream erosion and sediment passage at piano key weirs.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 145 (8): 04019029. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001616.
Novak, P., A. I. B. Moffat, C. Nalluri, and R. Narayanan. 2007. Hydraulic structures. 4th ed. New York: E and FN Sopn.
Ouamane, A., and F. Lempérière. 2006. “Design of a new economic shape of weir.” In Dams and reservoirs, societies and environment in the 21st century, edited by L. Berga, et al., 463–470. London: Taylor & Francis.
Pfister, M., D. Capobianco, B. Tullis, and A. J. Schleiss. 2013. “Debris-blocking sensitivity of piano key weirs under reservoir-type approach flow.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 139 (11): 1134–1141. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000780.
Pfister, M., S. Erpicum, O. Machiels, A. J. Schleiss, and M. Pirotton. 2012. “Discharge coefficient for free and submerged flow over Piano Key weirs: Discussion.” J. Hydraul. Res. 50 (6): 642–643. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2012.728025.
Pralong, J., F. Montarros, B. Blancher, and F. Laugier. 2011. “A sensitivity analysis of piano key weirs geometrical parameters based on 3D numerical modeling.” In Labyrinth and piano key weirs: PKW 2011, edited by S. Erpicum, F. Laugier, J. L. Boillat, M. Pirotton, B. Reverchon, and A. J. Schleiss, 133–139. London: CRC Press.
Savage, B. M., B. M. Crookston, and G. S. Paxson. 2016. “Physical and numerical modeling of large headwater ratios for a 15 degree labyrinth spillway.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 142 (11): 04016046. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001186.
Schleiss, A. J. 2011. “From labyrinth to piano key weirs: A historical review.” In Labyrinth and piano key weirs: PKW 2011, edited by S. Erpicum, F. Laugier, J. L. Boillat, M. Pirotton, B. Reverchon, and A. J. Schleiss. London: CRC Press.
Seamons, T. 2014. “Labyrinth weirs: A look into geometric variation and its effect on efficiency and design method predictions.” M.S. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State Univ.
Silvestri, A., S. Erpicum, P. Archambeau, B. Dewals, and M. Pirotton. 2013. “Stepped spillway down-stream of a piano key weir: Critical length for uniform flow.” In Proc., Int. Workshop on Hydraulic Structures, 99–107. Karlsruhe, Germany: Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau.
Tullis, B., B. M. Crookston, and N. Young. 2019. “Nonlinear weir free-flow hydraulics and size-scale effects.” J. Hydraul. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001661.
Tullis, B. P., J. Young, and M. Chandler. 2007. “Head-discharge relationships for submerged labyrinth weirs.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 133 (3): 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2007)133:3(248).
Tullis, J. P., N. Amanian, and D. Waldron. 1995. “Design of labyrinth weir spillways.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 121 (3): 247–255. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1995)121:3(247).
Wormleaton, P. R., and E. Soufiani. 1998. “Aeration performance of triangular planform labyrinth weirs.” J Environ. Eng. 124 (8): 709–719. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1998)124:8(709).
Wormleaton, P. R., and C. C. Tsang. 2000. “Aeration performance of rectangular planform labyrinth weirs.” J. Environ. Eng. 126 (5): 456–465. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2000)126:5(456).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 12 • December 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 15, 2019
Accepted: Apr 15, 2019
Published online: Sep 30, 2019
Published in print: Dec 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Feb 29, 2020
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.