Lecture 4 Water Passages Part - III

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST
BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

Department of Civil Engineering,
U.E.T Peshawar
Hydropower Development Lecture # 4
Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 3

Power Canal/Tunnel Lecture # 4
 Tunnels
 Underground conveyance structures constructed by
special tunneling methods without disturbing the natural
surface of the ground.
 In modern high head plants, tunnels is an important

engineering feature.
https://edurev.in/t/102479/Hydropower-Water-Conveyance-System--Part-2--Hydrop
Popularity of tunneling as water conveyance system

Reasons:
 Provides direct & short route for the water passage, thus
reducing the cost
 Tunneling work can be started simultaneously at many

points reducing the construction period of the project.
 No change in natural land scape.
 Construction of Tunnel become easier using new

techniques and sophisticated Machinery.
 Confidence to engineers on stability of tunnels.

https://utilitiesone.com/the-role-of-underground-construction-in-hydroelectric-power-generation
Categories of Tunnels
Service Water carrying

Tunnels Tunnels
Cable Head race or

tunnels Power
tunnels
Tail race
tunnels
Ventilation
Access or tunnels
approach Diversion
tunnels tunnels.

 Classification of Tunnels by
Tunnels (nearly horizontal)
 Alignment
Shafts (nearly vertical)
Circular
 Shape
Non-circular
Aspects of lining
 Design aspects.
Pressure condition
Design Aspects of tunnels Lecture # 4
Alignment:

Points that should be taken in to account for

Alignment :
 Length of the tunnel: possible short route should be followed.
 Location of surge tanks: the alignment should provide
convenient points for surge tanks.
 Rock cover (overburden): availability of sufficient rock cover
along the alignment.
 Weak zones: the alignment should not pass through the
weakness zones, joint planes, etc as much as possible
 Rock quality: The tunnel should pass through the good quality
of rock mass.
Classification with Respect to Alignment
Tunnels (nearly horizontal)
Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023


Classification with Respect to Shape

The choice of the cross-section depends on:
 Hydraulic considerations: Circular section
 Stability considerations: Circular section
 Convenience for construction: Horseshoe section
 Availability of Tunneling equipment: If drilling rigs are
available, a horseshoe cross-section has to be adopted.

 Design Aspects of tunnels
Head,
Unlined (in good sound rock )
 Lining
Partially lined
Low-Head pressure tunnels (H < 10 m)
 Pressure condition Medium Head pressure tunnels (10 m < H < 100 m)
High-Head pressure tunnels (H > 100 m)

 Reason of Lining the Tunnel
To resist external forces when empty
When the internal pressure is high.
When reduction in frictional resistance is required.
To prevent or reduce the seepage losses
To protect the rocks against aggressive water

 Design Aspects of tunnels

(H < 10 m)
Low Head Tunnels: H
Lining
 Sufficient Trimmed rock surface with concrete or

cement mortar or granite layer on sealing with only
visible fissures.
 Full lining may be done if external rock load or

aggressiveness of water or reduction in the water
head loss justify it .
Medium head Tunnels:
Lining
 Water tight lining concrete is provided since there

are high changes of seepage under increasing
head.
 If the lining has to provide only for water sealing

purposes, that is no load is carried by it, then the
allowed internal water pressure head is computed
by the depth of overburden and the quality of the
rock.
Lecture # 4
Design Aspects of tunnels

Determination of Overburden Depth
m = meter
Pressure head of
water in terms of
depth

 For unlined tunnels, the total internal water pressure

is resisted by the overburden rock pressure.
 Where a steep valley side constitutes the overburden

above the tunnel, the rule of thumb equation, H=(0.4 to
0.8) hr has to be modified and given by:
 Where L = the shortest distance between the ground

surface and the studied point of the tunnel (or shaft).
 𝝱 = the average inclination of the valley side with the

horizontal.

 For concrete or steel lined tunnels, the linings are

usually designed to carry part or full load of the
internal water pressure, and the above equations
given for unlined tunnels, are modified accordingly
in determining the required overburden depth.

Lecture # 4

Lecture # 4
High head Tunnels:
Lining and other Design Aspects
 Usually steel lining is used which is embedded in concrete, filling the
annular space b/n the steel lining & the rock.
 All voids are filled by grouting with cement mortar to provide proper
contact b/n tunnel material and lining.
 The roof of the tunnel should always be at least 1 to 2m below the
hydraulic grade line.
 For Service Tunnels, Saddles should be provided with dewatering
provisions and summits with outlets or shafts.
 To reduce construction costs, relatively high velocities are permitted in
tunnels that do not allow the suspended silt to deposit in the tunnel.

Lecture # 4
Saddle Rock Foot Tunnel

Scotts Bluff National Monument U.S

Flow Velocity:
 Unlined tunnels, 2 to 2.5 m/s
 Concrete lined tunnels 4 to 5 m/s.
 Pressure shafts, steel lined Tunnel, 5 to 8 m/s.

Longitudinal Slope:
 Slope is limited on the basis of dewatering
requirements.
 Longitudinal profile of the tunnel needs to be such
that the roof remains below the hydraulic gradient
line by 1 to 2 m.
 The slope of power tunnel is usually kept gentle till
the surge tank and then steeper (even vertical) for
the pressure shaft.

Water Conducting System Lecture # 4
2. FOREBAY
 A basin located at the end of a power canal just
before the entrance to the penstock or pressure
shaft.

FOREBAY Lecture # 4
 Acts as a transition section between the power

canal and the penstock.
 formed by widening the power canal at the end.
 Forebay, carries water from a power canal and

distribute among penstocks which is then
supplied to the turbines.

FOREBAY Lecture # 4
 Water is stored in the Forebay temporarily when

there is rejection of load by turbine and it is
supplied when there is demand.
 Thus serves as a regulating reservoir and located

at the end of the power canal
 The Forebay is used:

 To decrease the distance to the power house so as
to get the turbine on and off within a shorter period.
 To decrease the length of the penstock
 To halt the propagation of pressure waves to the
power canal
FOREBAY Lecture # 4
• Components of a Forebay
 The basin
 Used to store water and sediment (if any)
 The spillway
 Used to dispose excess water that might enter
the Forebay.
 The bottom outlet
 Used for flushing out of the sediment stored in
the basin as well as for de-watering the forebay
and the power canal for maintenance.
FOREBAY Lecture # 4
 The penstock inlet

 Serves in controlling
flow into the pressure
conduit and in
preventing floating
debris from entering
the conduit.
 It also provides
smooth transition
between the basin and
the conduit.
 Penstock intake is Figure FOREBAY Plan and X-section

encircled in the figure
FOREBAY Lecture # 4
• Design Guidelines For A Forebay

 Site Selection
 The location of the forebay is primarily
governed by topographic conditions and the
geology of the site.
 The site of both the forebay and the

powerhouse should be selected
simultaneously with a view of ensuring the
shortest possible penstocks/pressure shafts.
Design Guidelines For A Forebay Lecture # 4
 Size & Shape of Forebay
 Depend upon the sediment concentration in the

water conveyed to the power canal and its use as a
storage.
 Not recommended to design the forebay as a

sediment collection basin if the sediment in
suspension is fine and will not cause any damage
to the turbines.
 The transition structures should be provided

between the power canal and the forebay basin.
 For wider forebay, baffle piers are provided at the

inlet of the pond to confirm uniform distribution of
flow to the forebay.
 A proper slope should be provided at the bottom of

the forebay for regular flushing of the deposited silt.


 Measures for Seepage & Excess water supplies

 A bottom of the forebay basin is lined if large seepage is
expected. The bottom is covered with a 20 to 50 cm thick plastic
clay.
 The ogee type spillway is with a stilling basin is usually provided

for smooth dewatering of the foreby. A Siphon type spillway is
provided if water needs to the discharged with great care at the
same time, if the prevailing conditions do not permit the
construction of a long overflow weir.
 The spillway and the bottom outlet canal should be combined

immediately at the foot of the basin. Water spilling over the
spillway crest and through the bottom outlet can be diverted into
a suitable river bed avaialble in a nearby side.


Chute spillway

Chute spillway

 Forebay Tank
 The forebay tank, is designed such a way that penstock
entrance is kept fully submerged in order to prevent the
formation of vortex causing air induction into the
penstock.
 Necessary to install an air vent behind the inlet gate to

prevent damage to the penstock in case the penstock
entrance is blocked or the gate is suddenly closed due
to any reason causing a low pressure inside the conduit
which can collapse the penstock inwards.
 The air vent can also help to remove air from inside the
penstock while starting the power generation operation.

THE END

Lecture 4 Water Passages Part - III

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IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST

BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 3

 In modern high head plants, tunnels is an important

Popularity of tunneling as water conveyance system

 Tunneling work can be started simultaneously at many

 No change in natural land scape.

 Construction of Tunnel become easier using new

 Confidence to engineers on stability of tunnels.

Service Water carrying

Cable Head race or

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 6

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 8

Points that should be taken in to account for

Classification with Respect to Alignment

Tunnels (nearly horizontal)

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023

Classification with Respect to Shape

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023

The choice of the cross-section depends on:

 Hydraulic considerations: Circular section

 Stability considerations: Circular section

 Convenience for construction: Horseshoe section

 Availability of Tunneling equipment: If drilling rigs are

available, a horseshoe cross-section has to be adopted.

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 13

 Design Aspects of tunnels

Low-Head pressure tunnels (H < 10 m)

High-Head pressure tunnels (H > 100 m)

 Reason of Lining the Tunnel

To resist external forces when empty

When the internal pressure is high.

When reduction in frictional resistance is required.

To prevent or reduce the seepage losses

To protect the rocks against aggressive water

 Design Aspects of tunnels

 Sufficient Trimmed rock surface with concrete or

 Full lining may be done if external rock load or

Medium head Tunnels:

 Water tight lining concrete is provided since there

 If the lining has to provide only for water sealing

Design Aspects of tunnels

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 18

 For unlined tunnels, the total internal water pressure

 Where a steep valley side constitutes the overburden

 Where L = the shortest distance between the ground

 𝝱 = the average inclination of the valley side with the

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 20

 For concrete or steel lined tunnels, the linings are

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 21

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 22

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 23

Saddle Rock Foot Tunnel

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 24

 Unlined tunnels, 2 to 2.5 m/s

 Concrete lined tunnels 4 to 5 m/s.

 Pressure shafts, steel lined Tunnel, 5 to 8 m/s.

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 25

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 26

Dr. Ateeq-ur-Rauf Department of Civil Engineering U.E.T 12/23/2023 27

 Acts as a transition section between the power