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8.1 EXPANSION AND DEPRESSION FOR STILLING BASINS

As explained in Chapter 4, the higher the Froude number at the entrance to a basin, the more
efficient the hydraulic jump and the shorter the resulting basin. To increase the Froude number as
the water flows from the culvert to the basin, an expansion and depression is used as is shown in
Figure 8.1. The expansion and depression converts depth, or potential energy, into kinetic energy
by allowing the flow to expand, drop, or both. The result is that the depth decreases and the
velocity and Froude number increase.

Figure 8.1. Definition Sketch for Stilling Basin

The Froude number used to determine jump efficiency and to evaluate the suitability of alternative
stilling basins as described in Table 8.1 is defined in Equation 8.1.
V1
Fr1 = (8.1)
gy1
where,
Fr1 = Froude number at the entrance to the basin
V1 = velocity entering the basin, m/s (ft/s) =
y1 depth entering the basin, m (ft) =
g acceleration due to gravity, m/s2 (ft/s2 )

To solve for the velocity and depth entering the basin, the energy balance is written from the culvert
outlet to the basin. Substituting Q/(y1WB) for V1 and solving for Q results in:
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2 ] 12
Q = y 1 WB [ 2g(zo ÿ z 1 + and either ÿ and 1 ) + Vo (8.2)
where,
WB = width of the basin, m/s (ft/s)
Vo = culvert outlet velocity, m/s (ft/s) =
y1 depth entering the basin, m (ft) =
I culvert outlet depth, m (ft) =
z1 ground elevation at the basin entrance, m (ft) =
zo ground elevation at the culvert outlet, m (ft)

Equation 8.2 has three unknowns y1, WB, and z1. The depth y1 can be determined by trial and
error if WB and z1 are assumed. WB should be limited to the width that a jet would flare naturally
in the slope distance L.

2LT S2 T +1
WB ÿ Wo + (8.3)
3Fro
where,
= length of transition from culvert outlet to basin, m (ft)
L.T.

ST = slope of the transition, m/m (ft/ft)

Fro = outlet Froude number

Since the flow is supercritical, the trial y1 value should start near zero and increase until the design
Q is reached. This depth, y1, is used to find the sequent (conjugate) depth, y2, using the hydraulic
jump equation:

Cy 1 ( 1+ 8Fr 2
ÿ 1) (8.4)
y 2= 1
2
where,
y2 = conjugate depth, m (ft)
y1 = depth approaching the jump, m (ft)
C = ratio of tailwater to conjugate depth, TW/y2
Fr1 = approach Froude number

For a free hydraulic jump, C = 1.0. Later sections on the individual stilling basin types provide
guidance on the value of C for those basins. For the jump to occur, the value of y2 + z2 must be
equal to or less than TW + z3 as shown in Figure 8.1. If z2 + y2 is greater than z3 +TW, the basin
must be lowered and the trial and error process repeated until sufficient tailwater exists to force
the jump.
In order to perform this check, z3 and the basin lengths must be determined. The length of the
transition is calculated from:

zo ÿ z 1
l T = (8.5)
S.T.

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where,
LT = length of the transition from the culvert outlet to the bottom of the basin, m (ft)
ST = slope of the transition entering the basin, m/m (ft/ft)

The length of the basin, LB, depends on the type of basin, the entrance flow depth, y1, and the
entrance Froude number, Fr1. Figure 8.2 describes these relationships for the free hydraulic jump
as well as several USBR stilling basins.

Figure 8.2. Length of Hydraulic Jump on a Horizontal Floor

The length of the basin from the floor to the chair is calculated from:
L T.T.
(S ÿ S ) ÿ LSB or
LS = either

(8.6)
S+S
Yes either

where,
LS = length of the basin from the bottom of the basin to the basin exit (sill), m (ft)
SS = slope leaving the basin, m/m (ft/ft)

The elevation at the entrance to the tailwater channel is then calculated from:

z 3= LSH.H
+z 1 (8.7)

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where,
z3 = elevation of basin at basin exit (sill), m (ft)

Figure 8.1 also illustrates a radius of curvature between the culvert outlet and the transition to the
stilling basin. If the transition slope is 0.5V:1H or steeper, use a circular curve at the transition with
a radius defined by Equation 8.8 (Meshgin and Moore, 1970). It is also advisable to use the same
curved transition going from the transition slope to the stilling basin floor.

and
r=
1.5
(8.8)
1eFr2 ÿ
where,
r = radius of the curved transition, m (ft)
Fr = Froude number
and = depth approaching the curvature, m (ft)

For the curvature between the culvert outlet and the transition, the Froude number and depth are
taken at the culvert outlet. For the curvature between the transition and the stilling basin floor, the
Froude number and depth are taken as Fr1 and y1.

8.2 GENERAL DESIGN PROCEDURE

The design procedure for all of these stilling basins may be summarized in the following steps.
Basin specific variations to these steps are discussed in the following sections on each basin.
Step 1. Determine the velocity and depth at the culvert outlet. For the culvert outlet, calculate
culvert brink depth, I, velocity, Vo, and Fro. For subcritical flow, use Figure 3.3 or
Figure 3.4. For supercritical flow, use normal depth in the culvert for yo. (See HDS 5
(Normann, et al., 2001) for additional information on culvert brink depths.)

Step 2. Determine the velocity and TW depth in the receiving channel downstream of the
basin. Normal depth may be determined using Table B.1 or other appropriate
technique.
Step 3. Estimate the conjugate depth for the culvert outlet conditions using Equation 8.4 to
determine if a basin is needed. Substitute yo and Fro for y1 and Fr1, respectively.
The value of C is dependent, in part, on the type of stilling basin to be designed.
However, in this step the occurrence of a free hydraulic jump without a basin is
considered so a value of 1.0 is used. Compare y2 and TW. If y2 < TW, there is
sufficient tailwater and a jump will form without a basin. The remaining steps are
unnecessary.
Step 4. If step 3 indicates a basin is needed (y2 > TW), make a trial estimate of the basin
bottom elevation, z1, a basin width, WB, and slopes ST and SS. A slope of 0.5
(0.5V:1H) or 0.33 (0.33V:1H) is satisfactory for both ST and Ss. Confirm that WB is
within acceptable limits using Equation 8.3. Determine the velocity and depth
conditions entering the basin and calculate the Froude number. Select candidate
basins based on this Froude number.

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Step 5. Calculate the conjugate depth for the hydraulic conditions entering the basin using Equation
8.4 and determine the basin length and exit elevation. Basin length and exit elevation are
computed using Equations 8.5, 8.6, and 8.7 as well as Figure 8.2. Verify that sufficient
tailwater exists to force the hydraulic jump. If the tailwater is insufficient go back to step 4. If
excess tailwater exists, the designer may either go on to step 6 or return to step 4 and try a
shallower (and smaller) basin.

Step 6. Determine the needed radius of curvature for the slope changes entering the basin using
Equation 8.8.
Step 7. Size the basin elements for basin types other than a free hydraulic jump basin.
The details for this process differ for each basin and are included in the individual basin
sections.

Design Example: Stilling Basin with Free Hydraulic Jump (SI)

Find the dimensions for a stilling basin (see Figure 8.1) with a free hydraulic jump providing energy
dissipation for a reinforced concrete box culvert. Given:
Q = 11.8 m3 /s
Culvert
B = 3.0m
D = 1.8m
n = 0.015
So = 0.065 m/m =
zo 30.50 m
Downstream channel (trapezoidal)
B = 3.10 m
Z = 1V:2H
n = 0.030

Solution

Step 1. Determine the velocity and depth at the culvert outlet. By trial and error using Manning's
Equation, the normal depth is calculated as:
Vo = 8.50 m/s, i = 0.463 m
Vo 8.50
= = 4.0
Cold =
gyo 9.81(0.463)

Since the Froude number is greater than 1.0, the normal depth is supercritical and the normal
depth is taken as the brink depth.
Step 2. Determine the velocity and depth (TW) in the receiving channel. By trial and error using
Manning's Equation or by using Table B.1:
Vn = 4.84 m/s, and n = TW = 0.574 m
Step 3. Estimate the conjugate depth for the culvert outlet conditions using Equation 8.4.
C = 1.0.

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2
= Cy 1.0 (0.463) ( 1+ 8(4.0) ÿ
2
1) = 2.4 m
and
20( 1+ 8Fr ÿ 1) = twenty

2
Since y2 (2.4 m) > TW (0.574 m) a jump will not form and a basin is needed.
Step 4. Since y2 - TW = 2.64 – 0.574 = 2.07 m, try z1 = zo – 2.07 = 28.4 m
Also, choose WB = 3.0 m (no expansion from culvert to basin) and slopes ST = 0.5
and SS = 0.5.
Check WB using Equation 8.3, but first calculate the transition length from Equation
8.5.

zo ÿ z1 30.50
= ÿ 28.4 LT
= = 4.2 m ST 0.5

2L S2 + 1 (0.5)2 + 1 2(4.2)
is OK= 3.8 m ; WB
T T WB ÿ Wo + = 3.0 + 3(4.0)
3Fro

By using Equation 8.2 or other appropriate method by trial and error, the velocity and
depth conditions entering the basin are:
V1 = 10.74 m/s, y1 = 0.366 m
V1 10.74
Fr1 = = = 5.7
gy1 9.81(0.366)
Step 5. Calculate the conjugate depth for a free hydraulic jump (C=1) using Equation 8.4.

2
( 1+ 8Fr1 ÿ 1) = ( 1+ 8(5.7) ÿ1 =) 2.77 m
2 2
From Figure 8.2 basin length, LB/y2 = 6.1. Therefore, LB = 6.1(2.77) = 16.9 m.
The length of the basin from the floor to the sill is calculated from Equation 8.6:
l T (ST ÿS
LS =
either
) ÿ L BS either

= 4.2(0.5 ÿ 0.065) ÿ 16.9(0.065) = 1.29 m

SS + So 0.5 + 0.065
The elevation at the entrance to the tailwater channel is from Equation 8.7:
z3 = LSSS + z1 = 1.29(0.5) + 28.4 = 29.05 m

Since y2 +z2 (2.77+28.4) > z3 + TW (29.05+ 0.574), tailwater is not sufficient to force
a jump in the basin. Go back to step 4.
Step 4 (2nd iteration). Try z1 = 25.7 m. Maintain WB, ST, and SS.

zo ÿ z1 30.50
= ÿ 25.7 LT
= = 9.6 m ST 0.5

By using Equation 8.2 or other appropriate method by trial and error, the velocity and
depth conditions entering the basin are:
V1 = 13.02 m/s, y1 = 0.302 m

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V1 13.02
= = 7.6
Fr1 =
gy1 9.81(0.302)

Step 5 (2nd iteration). Calculate the conjugate depth for a free hydraulic jump (C=1) using
Equation 8.4.

= Cy ( 1+ 8Fr ÿ11 = 2 ) ( )
1 2 1.0(0.302) 2
and 2 1+ 8(7.6) ÿ 1 = 3.10 m
2

From Figure 8.2 basin length, LB/y2 = 6.1. Therefore, LB = 6.1(3.10) = 18.9 m.
The length of the basin from the floor to the sill is calculated from Equation 8.6:

l T (ST ÿ S ) ÿ L BS
l Yes
= = 9.6(0.5 ÿ 0.065) ÿ 18.9(0.065) = 5.2 m
either either

SS + So 0.5 + 0.065
The elevation at the entrance to the tailwater channel is from Equation 8.7:
z3 = L SS S + z 1 = 5.2(0.5) + 25.7 = 28.30 m

Since y2 +z2 (3.10+25.7) < z3 + TW (28.30+ 0.574), tailwater is sufficient to force a

jump in the basin. Continue on to step 6.
Step 6. For the slope change from the outlet to the transition, determine the needed radius of
curvature using Equation 8.8 and the results from step 1.
0.463
r=
and
= = 4.71m
ÿ 1.52ÿ ÿ 1.5 ÿ

ÿ ÿFr1 e
ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿÿ ÿ and
(4.0) 2 ÿ

1ÿ

Step 7. Size the basin elements. Since this is a free hydraulic jump basin, there are no
additional elements and the design is complete. The basin is shown in the following
sketch.
Total basin length = 9.6 + 18.9 + 5.2 = 33.7 m

8.5m/s
0.46
4.7

0.57
4.8 m/m/s
s 4.8
3.1
30.5
0.5
0.3
28.3
25.7 25.7
9.6 18.9 5.2
33.7

Sketch for Free Hydraulic Jump Stilling Basin Design Example (SI)

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Design Example: Stilling Basin with Free Hydraulic Jump (CU)

Find the dimensions for a stilling basin (see Figure 8.1) with a free hydraulic jump providing energy
dissipation for a reinforced concrete box culvert. Given:
Q = 417 ft3 /s
Culvert
B=10.0ft
D = 6 ft
n = 0.015
So = 0.065 ft/ft
zo = 100 ft
Downstream channel (trapezoidal)
B=3.5m
Z = 1V:2H
n = 0.030

Solution
Step 1. Determine the velocity and depth at the culvert outlet. By trial and error using Manning's
Equation, the normal depth is calculated as:
Vo = 27.8 ft/s, i = 1.50 ft
V 27.8
Cold =
either

= = 4.0
gyo 32.2(1.50)

Since the Froude number is greater than 1.0, the normal depth is supercritical and
the normal depth is taken as the brink depth.
Step 2. Determine the velocity and depth (TW) in the receiving channel. By trial and error
using Manning's Equation or by using Table B.1:
Vn = 15.9 ft/s, yn = TW = 1.88 ft
Step 3. Estimate the conjugate depth for the culvert outlet conditions using Equation 8.4.
C = 1.0.

= Cy either

( 1+ 8Fr
2
= 1.0(1.50) ( 2
) ft
1+ 8(4.0) ÿ 1 = 7.8
and 2
2
either

ÿ 1) 2

Since y2 (7.8 ft) > TW (1.88 ft) a jump will not form and a basin is needed.
Step 4. Since y2 - TW = 8.55 – 1.88 = 6.67 ft, try z1 = zo –6.67 = 93.3 ft, use 93.
Also, choose WB = 10.0 ft (no expansion from culvert to basin) and slopes ST = 0.5
and SS = 0.5.
Check WB using Equation 8.3, but first calculate the transition length from Equation
8.5.
z ÿ z 100 ÿ 93
L T= = 14ft
either1
=
S.T. 0.5

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2LT S2 T = 2(14) (0.5)2 + 1 + 1

WB ÿ Wo + 10.0 + = 12.6 ft ; WB is OK 3(4.0)
3Fro

By using Equation 8.2 or other appropriate method by trial and error, the velocity and
depth conditions entering the basin are:
V1 = 35.3 ft/s, y1 = 1.18 ft
V1 35.3
Fr 1 = = = 5.7
gy1 32.2(1.18)

Step 5. Calculate the conjugate depth for a free hydraulic jump (C=1) using Equation 8.4.

= Cy ( 1+ 8Fr ÿ1 1 = 2) ( )
1 2 1.0(1.18) 2
and 2 1+ 8(5.7) ÿ 1 = 8.94 ft
2

From Figure 8.2 basin length, LB/y2 = 6.1. Therefore, LB = 6.1(8.94) = 54.5 ft.
The length of the basin from the floor to the sill is calculated from Equation 8.6:
l T (ST ÿ S ) ÿ L BS
LS = = 14(0.5 ÿ 0.065) ÿ 54.5(0.065) = 4.5 ft
either either

SS + So 0.5 + 0.065
The elevation at the entrance to the tailwater channel is from Equation 8.7:
z3 = L SS S + z 1 = 4.5(0.5) + 93.0 = 95.25 ft

Since y2 +z2 (8.94+93) > z3 + TW (95.25+1.88), tailwater is not sufficient to force a

jump in the basin. Go back to step 4.
Step 4 (2nd iteration). Try z1 = 84.5 ft. Maintain WB, ST, and SS.

zo ÿ z1 100 ÿ 84.5 LT = = 31.0 ft

ST 0.5 =

By using Equation 8.2 or other appropriate method by trial and error, the velocity and
depth conditions entering the basin are:
V1 = 42.5 ft/s, y1 = 0.98 ft
V1 42.5
= = 7.6
Fr1 =
gy1 32.2(0.98)

Step 5 (2nd Iteration). Calculate the conjugate depth for a free hydraulic jump (C=1) using
Equation 8.4.

= Cy ( 1+ 8Fr ÿ1 1 = 2) ( )
1 2 1.0(0.98) 2
and 2 1+ 8(7.6) ÿ 1 = 10.07 ft
2

From Figure 8.2 basin length, LB/y2 = 6.1. Therefore, LB = 6.1(10.07) = 61.4 ft.
The length of the basin from the floor to the sill is calculated from Equation 8.6:

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L (S
T.T.ÿ S ) ÿ LS 31.0(0.5B ÿor0.065)
either
= ÿ 61.4(0.065)
LS ==5m SS + So 0.5+0.065

The elevation at the entrance to the tailwater channel is from Equation 8.7:
z 3= LSH.H
+ z = 16.8(0.5)
1 + 84.5 = 92.90 ft
Since y2 + z2 (10.1 + 84.5) < z3 + TW (92.90 + 1.88), tailwater is sufficient to force
a jump in the basin. Continue on to step 6.
Step 6. For the slope change from the outlet to the transition, determine the needed radius of
curvature using Equation 8.8 and the results from step 1.
and
1.50
r= = = 15.3 ft ÿ ÿ
1.5 1.5
ÿ
2
ÿÿÿÿÿ
Fr e ÿÿ 1 ÿ ÿ 2
(4.0) e ÿ1
ÿ
ÿÿÿ
ÿ

Step 7. Size the basin elements. Since this is a free hydraulic jump basin, there are no
additional elements and the design is complete. The basin is shown in the following
sketch.
Total basin length = 31.0 + 61.4 + 16.8 = 109.2 ft

8m/s
1.5

fifteen

1.9
15.9 ft/s
10
100
0.5
0.99
92.9
84.5 84.5
31 61 17
109

Sketch for Free Hydraulic Jump Stilling Basin Design Example (CU)

8.3 USBR TYPE III STILLING BASIN

The USBR Type III stilling basin (USBR, 1987) employs chute blocks, baffle blocks, and an end
sill as shown in Figure 8.3. The basin action is very stable with a steep jump front and less wave
action downstream than with the free hydraulic jump. The position, height, and spacing of the baffle
blocks as recommended below should be adhered to carefully. If the baffle blocks are too far
upstream, wave action in the basin will result; if too far downstream, a longer basin will be required;
if too high, waves can be produced; and, if too low, jump sweep out or rough water may result.

The baffle blocks may be shaped as shown in Figure 8.3 or cubes; both are effective. The corners
should not be rounded as this reduces energy dissipation.
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