Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

Problems: Spillways
Designing the Crest of the Ogee Spillway:

Several standard ogee shapes have been developed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at their
Waterways Experimental Station (WES). Such shapes are known as 'WES Standard Spillway Shapes'.
The d/s profile can be represented by the equation:

𝑥 𝑛 = 𝐾. 𝐻𝑑𝑛−1 . 𝑦

where,

- (x, y) are the co-ordinates of the points on the crest profile with the origin at the highest point
C of the crest, called the apes.
- Hd is the design head including the velocity head.
- K and n are constants depending upon the slope of the upstream face. The values of K and n
are tabulated in Table 21.1

Slope of the u/s face of the spillway K n

Vertical 2.0 1.85
1 : 3 (1H : 3V) 1.936 1.836
1 : 1 ½ (1H : 1 ½ V) 1.939 1.810

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 Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

Discharge Formula for the Ogee Spillway:

The discharge passing over the ogee spillway is given by the equation:
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𝑄 = 𝐶. 𝐿𝑒 𝐻𝑒2

where,
- Q = discharge
- Le = Effective length of the spillway crest
- C = Coefficient of discharge which depends upon
various factors such as relative depth of approach,
relation of actual crest shape to the ideal nappe
shape, slope of upstream face, downstream apron
interference, and submergence, etc. It values varies
from 2.1 to 2.5
- He = Total head over the crest including the velocity head.
If the discharge Q is used as the design discharge, then the term He will be the corresponding design
head (Hd) plus the velocity head (Ha).
- In such a case, He = Hd + Ha.
- For high ogee spillways, the velocity head is very small and He ≈ Hd.
- In low spillways, with h/Hd < 1.33; the approach velocity is having an appreciable effect.
The effective length of the crest:
𝐿𝑒 = 𝐿 − 2(𝑁𝐾𝑝 + 𝐾)𝐻𝑒
where,
- Le = effective length of the crest
- L = net length of the crest
- N = number of piers
- Kp = pier contraction coefficient
- Ka = abutment contraction coefficient
- The pier contraction coefficient depends upon many factors
such as (i) shape and location of pier nose, (ii) thickness of pier,
(iii) approach velocity and (iv) actual head of flow In relation
to the design head. For the flow under the design, the values of
Kp can be taken from following Table.

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 Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

- Similarly, the abutment contraction coefficient depends upon several factors such as, (i) shape
of abutment, (ii) angle between u/s approach wall and axis of flow (iii) approach velocity and
(iv) actual head of flow in relation to the design head. For the flow under the design head, the
abutment contraction coefficient may be taken from following Table.

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Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

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Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

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Hydraulic Structure: Spillway

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Hydraulic Structure: Spillway