Chapter-1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 TITLE OF PROJECT:
Improper energy dissipation at a fall (cross-regulator) in Rakh Branch Canal.

1.2 OBJECTIVES:
 To find out the problems created by this improper energy dissipation.
 To find out the root cause of that improper energy dissipation.
 To recommend a suitable and economical solution for proper energy dissipation for that
cross-regulator.

1.3 DESCRIPTION OF SITE:

The Rakh Branch is a canal in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The canal was dug in 1892 during
colonial rule. The Rakh Branch originates from canal Lower Chenab. And Lower Chenab comes
out from Head Khanki at the river Chenab. It passes and produces tributaries in three districts such
as Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib and Faisalabad. Many famous towns are situated at near the Rakh
Branch such as Safdarabad, Sangla Hill, Salarwala, Chak Jhumra, Gutwala, Abdullahpur and
Faisalabad. The canal ends at Samundri. Rakh Branch Canal is next to Chak One Hundred Eighty-
Eight and has a length of 31.86 km.

Figure 1.1 View of Rakh Branch Canal

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 Chapter-2

METHODOLOGY

1 Site visit

Get info about history

2
of site

Info about problems

3 due to improper energy
dissipation

Collection of data
4
Discharge, velocity etc.

5 Analysis of data

Find out possible

6 solution of problems

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2.1 METHODOLOGY:
 First of all a site visit will be arranged for the visual inspection of the site.
 Then a meeting with a concerned representative of irrigation department will be arranged
to know about the history and background of the site.
 Also different problems due to improper energy dissipation, either present or to be
encountered in future, will be discussed with the representative of irrigation department.
Views from local people may also be helpful regarding this matter.
 Important and relevant data like discharge, velocity, scour depth etc. will be collected either
form irrigation department or from on site measurements.
 Then from the analysis of data and site conditions, I will try to identify the core reason of
improper energy dissipation at that site.
 Then work out will be done to find out one or more solutions to eliminate the reason of the
problem, depending upon the site condition and collected data
 Finally different solutions will be compared to recommend a most suitable and economical
solution to overcome the problem of improper energy dissipation at the selected site.

2.2 COLLECTION OF DATA AT SITE AND OTHER INFORMATION:

We are asked to Identification of a problem related to Irrigation or Hydraulic structures and then
finding its reasonable solution. To complete that assignment, first of all we need to select a problem
associated with irrigation or hydraulic structures. So I choose the problem of improper energy
dissipation at a cross regulator in Rakh branch as my assignment. The purpose of this report is to
explain step by step the detailed investigation of the concerned problem and then recommending
a reasonable solution.

So, as a first step, a brief introduction of site will be presented here.

 It is a fall structure (cross-regulator) at which the issue of improper energy dissipation is to

be examined. It is located at Gutwala, Faisalabad in Rakh branch.
 This cross-regulator is located at an RD of 249+000 in Rakh branch.
 Two distributaries off take at this cross-regulator. If we move in the direction of canal, then
the distributor which off take in right direction is called Gatti distributory. And the other,
on the left side, is called Lakhuana distributory.

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 Upstream discharge at this fall structure is 400 cusec. Out of which Lakhuana distributory
takes 132 cusec and Gatti takes about 20.56 cusec
 Bed level at upstream of this fall structure is 616.03 and at downstream, it must have a
design bed level of 615.81.
 Design velocity at upstream of this structure is 2.5 m/s and it should be 2-3 m/s at a
specified distance from the cross-regulator.
 The canal at that location is unlined.
 This structure is under the supervision of Irrigation department of Govt. of Punjab.
 Access to the site is easy as a main road is passing by the canal at that location.

Figure 2.1 Site Visit Group Photo

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 Chapter-3

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS & SOLUTION

3.1 ISSUES RAISED DUE TO IMPROPER ENERGY DISSIPATION:

Different issues have been raised due to this improper energy dissipation. Few of them are
listed below.

 Downstream velocity does not remain within the range of design velocity. It is slightly
higher than the design velocity. Due to this reason excessive erosion takes place and depth
of canal bed increases.
 Bed level is lowered down than the design value at downstream due to excessive scouring.
The bed level is about 3-4’ lower than the design value immediately after that cross-
regulator. This lowering of bed level is continued downstream upto to the next fall located
at RD of 249+500.
 Due to this lowering of bed level, canal has developed its own regime rather than
maintaining the design regime. Due to this change in regime, different design problems
could occur.
 Also due to the increase in depth of canal, full supply level also goes down, due to which
command of canal has been affected.
 There are chances that, if the canal is lined, the lining may collapse due to excessive
lowering of bed level. Due to lowering of bed level, foundation of lining may get naked
and finally results in collapse of whole lining.
 This problem may also affect the structures at downstream. Working of downstream
structures may not be according to the design and requirements.
 Because the canal could not be able to maintain its command, so there may be issues
between the irrigation department and the farmers.

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Figure 3.1 Condition of bed when canal is dry

Figure 3.2 View of canal when it dry

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3.2 DIFFERENT POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
There are many methods available for proper energy dissipation at hydraulic structures,
depending upon the energy to be dissipated and erosion control requirement.
These methods could be classified under two broad categories.
3.2.1 Stilling basin type energy dissipators.
3.2.2 Bucket type energy dissipators.

3.2.1 STILLING BASIN TYPE ENERGY DISSIPATORS.

They may fundamentally be divided into two types.

A) Hydraulic jump type stilling basins[1].

Figure 3.3 Horizontal apron stilling basin with end sill

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 Figure 3.4 sloping apron stilling basin with end sill

B) Jet Diffusion type stilling basins[2].

Figure 3.5 Jet diffusion Stilling basin

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Figure 3.6 interacting Jet Dissipators

Figure 3.7 Free Jet stilling basin

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Figure 3.8 Hump Stilling basins

Figure 3.9 Impact stilling basins

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3.2.2 BUCKET TYPE ENERGY DISSIPATORS

This type of energy dissipators includes the following:

1. Solid roller bucket

2. Slotted roller bucket
3. Ski jump (Flip/Trajectory) bucket

Figure 410 Solid Roller Bucket

Figure 3.11 Slotted roller bucket

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Figure 3.12 Ski Jump bucket

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3.3 PROPOSED SOLUTION:
By comparing different methods used for energy dissipation, it has been observed that most of
them are uneconomical when we compare them with the size of canal and cross-regulator. The
only method which seems to be quite reasonable is Horizontal apron type stilling basin.

Figure 16 Horizontal apron stilling basin with end sill

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 References:

[1] M. R. Choudhury and U. Nigam, “Overview Of Energy Dissipators And Stilling Basins
With Design Aspects Of Hydraulic Jump Type Energy Dissipators M R ... Overview Of
Energy Dissipators And Stilling Basins With Design Aspects Of Hydraulic Jump Type
Energy Dissipators,” no. April 2015, 2016.

[2] Kharagpur, “Lesson 8 Spillways and Energy Dissipators,” p. 75.

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