CHAPTER 9 - SUBMERGED ORIFICES

13. Radial Gate Checks Used for Measuring Device

Radial gates are widely used in canal check structures to control canal flows and water levels.
By measuring upstream water level, downstream water level, and gate position, radial gate
checks can also be used to compute flow. Computing flow at check structures prevents the
additional cost and head loss from flow measurement devices such as flumes, weirs, or flow
meters.

Radial gate flow is a type of variable-area orifice flow, which may be either free or
submerged. However, accurate computation of radial gate flow requires complex analysis.
Discharge under a radial gate is influenced by numerous parameters and structure
dimensions. Figure 9-8 shows a typical radial gate with some of the variables that affect gate
flow. The angle of the gate's bottom edge (gate lip) varies with the gate opening, Go, the
pinion height, PH, and the gate's radius, r. Flow contraction is sensitive to the angle , the
type of gate lip seal, and water levels.

Figure 9-8 -- Diagram of radial gate showing calibration

variables.

The general equation for flow through an undershot gate can be derived from the Bernoulli
equation and expressed as:

where:

Q = discharge (gate flow)

Cd = coefficient of discharge
Go = vertical gate opening
B = gate width
g = gravitational constant
H = a head term

The head term, H, in the above equation can be either the upstream depth, Yu, or the
differential head across the gate, Yu - Yd (see figure 98). When differential head is used,
equation 9-3 becomes the well-known "orifice" equation. The development of the coefficient
of discharge, Cd, depends on the definition of the head term as well as the various other
parameters that affect gate flow. Cd has been predicted using a number of different methods,
but most of these methods have limited application and accuracy.

In 1983, a research program at Reclamation's Hydraulics Laboratory developed gate flow

algorithms that represent the complete discharge characteristics for canal radial gate check
structures.

These algorithms are a complex set of equations that cover the range of water levels and gate
geometry normally encountered at canal check structures. When applied correctly, they can
be as accurate as any canal flow measurement device or procedure. The main disadvantages
to using these algorithms are their complexity and the requirement to accurately measure two
water levels, Yu and Yd, and the gate position, Go. Additionally, sedimentation or check
structure subsidence can change gate flow characteristics at existing structures and require
recalibration over time.

A computer program has been developed to solve the radial gate flow algorithms. Program
RADGAT executes on a personal com-puter to calculate either flow or gate position at a
canal radial gate check structure. The user enters structure dimensions such as gate width,
pinon height, gate radius, pier width (between gates), invert elevations, canal bottom widths
and side slopes, and head loss coefficients for open transitions and siphons. These physical
proper-ties are saved in a data file so they need not be reentered for successive program
execution. Then, the user enters upstream and downstream water depths and has the option
either to compute discharge for a given gate opening or compute gate opening for a given
discharge. RADGAT can also produce rating tables of flow versus gate opening for a range
of upstream and downstream depths.

Buyalski (1983) contains detailed results from the research program and explanation of the
discharge algorithms. It also contains the original version of program RADGAT developed
for main-frame computer application. The personal computer version of RADGAT may be
obtained through Reclamation's Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services Group in
Denver, Colorado