CHAPTER TWO

ENERGY
DISSIPATION
Introduction
• The water flowing over the spillway acquires a lot of KE by the
time it reaches near the toe of the spillway due to the conversion
of PE into KE.
• If arrangements are not made to dissipate this huge KE, large-
scale scour can take place near the toe of the dam and away from
it.
• For the dissipation two common methods adopted:
– hydraulic jump: converting the supercritical flow to subcritical flow
– By using different types of buckets,
• i.e. by directing the flow of water into air and then making it falls away
from the toe of the structure.

2
 Jump Height and Tailwater Rating Curves
• Hydraulic jump: forms when the following relation is satisfied b/n
the pre-jump depth (y1) and post-jump depth (y2)

y2 
y1
2 1  1  8 Fr
2
 Where y1 = pre-jump (initial) depth
y2 = post- jump (sequent) depth
Fr1 = Froude number of the incoming flow

• For a given discharge intensity q over a spillway, y1 = q/v1; and v1 is

V1  2gH 1 

Fig: Hydraulic jump

at the toe of a
3
spillway
• for a given discharge intensity q and given height of spillway, y1 is
fixed and thus y2 is also fixed
– But the availability of a depth equal to y2 in the channel on the
downstream cannot be guaranteed as it depends upon the tail water
level y0

• The values of yo corresponding to different values of q is obtained

– by actual gauge discharge observations and plot of yo versus q prepared,
known as Tailwater Rating curve (T.W.R.C.)
• The post-jump depth (y2) is computed from the hydraulic jump
equation and a plot of y2 versus q may be made which is known as
jump height curve (J.H.C.) y 2 
y1
2
 1  
1  8 F r
2
4
• If J.H.C. and T.W.R.C. are plotted on the same graph, five
possibilities exist

» T.W.R.C. (y2’) coinciding with y2 curve for all discharges

Governs
» T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying above the y2 curve for all discharges
choice of
energy » T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying below the y2 curve for all discharges
dissipaters » T.W.R.C (y2’) lying below the y2 curve for smaller discharges
and lying above y2 curve for larger discharges
» T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying above the y2 curve for smaller discharges
and lying below the y2 curve for larger discharges

5
 Condition 1: T.W.R.C. (y2’) coinciding with y2 curve for all discharges
• jump will develop close to the toe of the spillway
 Solution:
– a simple horizontal concrete apron
– apron length is equal to the length of the jump of the maximum
discharge over the spillway

Fig: Condition 1 6
 Condition 2: T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying above the y2 curve for all discharges

• The jump is drowned out by tailwater, and little energy will be

dissipated
• Water may continue to flow at high velocity along the channel
bottom for a considerable distance
 Solution:
• a sloping apron
The jump will form on
the sloping apron of
depth y2 (lesser than
the tailwater depth
at toe) is available as
shown in the figure
7
• By providing a roller bucket type energy dissipater
• Also a drop provided in the riverbed to lower the TWL can be
used to dissipate the energy (figure below)
• Construction of a secondary dam

8
 Condition 3: T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying below the y2 curve for all discharges
• jump will develop at far downstream of the toe of the spillway
• most frequent one, jump forms at a high velocity and attack the
bed downstream
• depth of flow (y2’) in the river is insufficient for formation of jump
at the toe of structure
• Thus, a stilling basin (with a depressed horizontal apron) is
required to produce a jump close to the toe  reduces length

9
 Solution:
• Lowering the floor level D/S of the spillway
– so as to make sufficient tail water depth
• Stilling basin with baffles or sills at river bed level
• Stilling basin with a low subsidiary dam downstream
• Bucket type structure
– If there is a bed of solid rock to withstand the impact of water, Ski Jump
bucket energy dissipater may be adopted to throw the water away

10
Fig: a. Condition 3, b. stilling basin with baffle piers, c. stilling basin with a low secondary dam
• Condition 4: T.W.R.C (y2’) lying below the y2 curve for smaller
discharges and lying above y2 curve for larger discharges

 Solutions (to develop jump close to the spillway)

• a stilling basin
– with an end sill or low secondary dam to form jump at low discharges
– combine the basin with a sloping apron to develop jump at high discharges
• a sloping apron which lies partly above and partly below the riverbed
– jump will develop at lower portion of the apron at low discharges and at higher
portion of the apron at high discharges
11
• Condition 5: T.W.R.C. (y2’) lying above the y2 curve for smaller
discharges and lying below the y2 curve for larger discharges

• the same arrangement that was made for condition (4) will serve
the purpose

12
Energy Dissipation On Spillway Surface
• The energy loss on the spillway surface may be expressed as
2 Where V’ = the (supercritical) velocity at the end of the spillway
V' α = Coriolis coefficient (energy coefficient)
e    = head loss coefficient.
2g
V 2 V 2
• The total energy, E, can be expressed as E   
2g 2g

• And, taking the velocity coefficient, 

actual velocity
theoretical velocity

• Head loss coefficient is related to the velocity coefficient as

1
2
 1 
 13
• The ratio of the energy loss, e, to the total energy E (i.e. relative
energy loss) is
e V  2
 V2
V
2
 
      1  2
E 2g  2g 2g  1 

• For the ratio P/H < 30, and smooth spillways

P/H = 5, φ = 0.92, relative head loss (e/E) is 15%,
  1 0.0155 P H P/H = 25, φ = 0.61, e/E is 62 %

• The head loss coefficient (ζ) could be increased (and φ decreased)

by using a rough spillway or by placing baffles on the spillway
surface.
• Stepped spillways may provide an opportunity for additional
energy dissipation pending on the value of the unit discharge (q)
14
Energy Dissipation in the Stilling Basin
• Referring the figure below

q 2
E  y1 
2g 2 y12 ……………………………..a
y1  8 q2  
1/ 2
 ……………………………..b
y 2   1  1   
3 
2   g y1  

The stilling basin depth is then given by
y   y2  y'2
y'2 isthenormaldepthd / s ……………………………..c 15
• and the length of the stilling basin is given
L  ky 2  y1  ……………………………..d

• Where σ´ and k are coefficients derived from laboratory and field

experiments
• Coefficients σ´ and k can be taken as 1.1 < σ´< 1.2 and 4.5 < k < 5.5,where the lower
value of k applies for Fr1>10 and the higher for Fr1 ≤ 3

16
• When applying the equations above we start with a known discharge q and the
corresponding downstream depth y0 and apply the iterative procedure, which
follows

17
Additional Considerations in Stilling Basin Design

• major problems in spillway stilling basin

– Cavitation - highly turbulent nature of the flow in the hydraulic
jump induces large pressure fluctuations
– Uplift - due to the dam drainage system or the tailwater level or
the water table in the basin bank
• Thus, design the floor slab uplift pressure with the basin empty
• all contraction joints should be sealed, no drain openings should be
provided
– Abrasion of concrete - (if there are abrasive sediment from
bottom outlet or d/s sediment)
• self-cleaning to flush out any trapped sediment
• prevention of vibration of basin elements (massive slabs, pinned to the
foundation ) 18
Standard Stilling Basins [U.S.B.R. Stilling Basins]
• Certain accessories such as chute blocks, baffle blocks and
end sills (or baffles) are provided in the stilling basins
– to reduce the length of the jump
– and thus to reduce the length and the cost of the stilling basin
– stabilize the jump

19
• Type of stilling basin to be provided depends on the type of jump,
which in turn depends on the Froude number Fr1 of the incoming
flow.

20
i. Stilling basin for 1.7 < Fr1< 2.5 (Type I)

• Only horizontal apron needs to be provided

• The flow does not have much turbulence and hence
no accessions are required.
• sufficiently long apron to contain the entire jump
– The length of the apron should be the length of the jump
(i.e. 5y2 = L, and (L >=4y2) where y2 = sequent depth).

21
 ii. Stilling Basin for 2.5 < Fr1< 4.5 (Type IV)
• Type IV stilling basin
• It is provided with chute blocks and end sill is optional
• The length L of the stilling basin may be obtained from the
following table

Fr1 2 3 4 5

L/y2 4.3 5.3 5.8 6

22
iii. Stilling Basins for Fr1> 4.5
 V1< 15 m/s: Type III stilling basin may be adopted
• use chute blocks, baffle blocks and end sill- shortens the jump length
and the stilling basin
• Due to large impact forces on the baffles & high velocities leading to
cavitation the use of this basin should be limited to heads with velocities
not exceeding 15 m/s.

Fr1 5 6 8 10 12 14 16
L
y2 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.8
h3
y1 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.3
h4
y1 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9

23
 V1 > 15 m/s:
• designated as Type II stilling basin
• dissipation is mainly by hydraulic jump, the basin length will
be greater than that of type III basin
• baffle blocks are not employed b/c
– due to the high velocities large impact forces, and
– possibility of cavitation

Fr1 5 6 8 10 12 14
L/y2 3.85 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.3

24
Plunge pools
• D/s of free-falling jets (jet, ski-jump spillways, flip buckets) energy
dissipation occurs also in plunge pools
• general form of the scour depth (measured from the tailwater
surface ) Where C is a coefficient, 0.65<C<4.7
β = angle of the flip bucket with the
horizontal
d =particle size (mm)
H* = difference between upstream
• ys is the scour depth below the river and downstream water levels (m)
yo = tailwater depth (m)
bed (m), given by q = specific discharge (m2/s)
d90 = the 90% grain size of sediment
forming the river bed (mm)
0.5<x<0.67
0.1<y<0.5
0< z<0.3, 0<w<0.1
25
• A simplified equation by with x=0.6, y=0.1, w=z=0 and C=1.5 can
be used:

H* is the drop from the reservoir level to the flip bucket lip.

• For flip bucket spillways

– Where, , ycr is
the critical depth, and
β₁ is the upstream angle of the scour hole,

26
Energy dissipation at bottom outlet

• flow from outlets occurs in high velocity

• two main design trends
– to disperse artificially and to aerate the outflow jets
– or to reduce the specific discharge at entry into the stilling basin.
• by depressing the soffit of the outlet simultaneously with its widening  low risk of
cavitation and effective to combine with spillway stilling basin
• or by using blocks and sills or guide walls just d/s of the outlet and before the entry
into the stilling basin, or in the basin itself,
• or by a combination of the various methods

27
• For the design of a gradually widening transition with an initial
width Bo (at the outlet), final width B1 (at the entry into a
hydraulic jump basin), and straight side walls diverging at an
angle θ from outflow axis:

Where,

for square conduit section

for circular conduit section

28
• Sudden expansion energy dissipator which utilize the principle of
energy loss at a sudden enlargement are a fairly recent
development.
New Don Pedro dam,
designed to pass a
total of 200m3/s at a
gross head of 170m,

dissipate about 45m of

head and the remainder
is dissipated in pipe
resistance and the 9.14m
diameter tunnel
downstream of the
gates. 29
Reading assignment

• Submerged bucket dissipaters

• Ski – Jump /Deflector Bucket

30
Additional notes on Stilling basin
Stilling basin
• A stilling basin is a basin-like structure in which all or a part of the energy is
dissipated.
• Stilling basins are quite effective for the formation of a stable hydraulic jumps and for
confining the hydraulic jump
• A hydraulic jump can be stabilized in stilling basin by using appurtenances (or
accessories such as chute blocks, basin blocks and end sill

Chute blocks
• dissipation of energy and formation of extreme turbulent roller
• These are triangular blocks with their top surfaces horizontal.
• These are installed at the toe of the spillway just at upstream end of the stilling basin.
• They act as a serrated/notched device at the entrance to the stilling basin.
• These also decrease the length of the hydraulic jump.
31
End sill
• It is constructed at the downstream end of the stilling basin.
• It may be solid or dentated.
• Its function is to reduce the length of the hydraulic jump and to control
scour.
• For large basins, the sill is usually dentated to diffusing the residual
portion of the high velocity jet that may reach the end of the basin.
• In a dentated sill, there are teeth with small gaps which diffuse the jet.

32
Basin blocks (or baffle blocks or baffle piers)
• Installed on the stilling basin floor between chute blocks and
the end sill.
• They increase the turbulence and assist in the dissipation of
energy.
• For low flows, baffle blocks also help compensate a slight
deficiency of the tail water depth, and
• For high flows, they help deflect the flow away from the river
bed.
• However baffle blocks are prone to cavitation on the
downstream face, and are not recommended when the
velocity is greater than 15m/s.
33
Example: Stilling Basin design
Design a hydraulic jump type stilling basin for a maximum
discharge of 25m3/sec/m flowing over an overflow spillway
with a spillway crest 50m above the d/s gravel river bed with
a slope So=0.001 and Manning’s coefficient n=0.028.
• Solution: Consider the following figure for the design of stilling
basin
He
Hd Upper
nape

P=50m

Y’

34
 • Solution

q 2 y   y2  y'2
E  y1 
2g 2 y12 y'2 isthenormaldepthd / s

y1   8 q2  
1/ 2

y2   1  1   
3  35
2  g y1  

• The discharge intensity q is calculated as:
3
q  CH e
2

3
25 m / sec  2 . 2 * H e 
3
2

2
 25  3
 He     5 . 055 m
 2 .2 
• For P=50m the velocity coefficient is:

P 50
  1  0.0155 *  1  0.0155 *  0.847
H 5.055

36
• Assuming wide channel
2
y
q  o * y o3 * S
n
2
3 yo
25 m / s / m  * y o3 * 0 . 001
0 . 028
 y 0  6 . 414 m
• With datum at river bed, the total energy is estimated as:
q2
E  P  H e  y1 
2 * g *  2 * y12
25 2
E  50  5 . 055  y1 
2 * 9 . 81 * 0 . 847 2 * y12 He=5.055
Hd Upper nape

 y1  0 . 905 m
q P=50m

and  V1  Y’
y1
25
V1   27 . 62 m / s
0 . 905 37
• The Froude number before the jump formation is:
2 q2 252
Fr1  3
 3
 85.95
g * y1 9.81* 0.905
 Fr1  85.951/ 2  9.27

• The sequent depth is now:

y2 
y1
2
 
 1  (1  8Fr21 )  y2  11.42m Since y2 >yo stilling basin is required!
• Assuming the safety  ' 1.2 coefficient then the stilling basin depth
is estimated as: (Coefficients σ´ is b/n 1.1 < σ´< 1.2)

Y '   ' y 2  y0
Y '  1.2 y2  y0  1.2 *11.42  6.414  7.288m take Y '  7.50m
38
• Repeat the computation of the total energy E with new datum that can
reduce the safety coefficient (lowering the datum reduces the safety
coeff.)
E  50  5 . 055  7 . 5  62 . 55 m
P  50  7 . 5  57 . 5 m
P 57.5
  1  0.0155 *  1  0.0155 *  0.824
H 5.055
25 2
E  62 . 55  y1   y1  0 . 872 m (  the previous one )
2 * 9 . 81 * 0 . 824 2 * y12

• The Froudeqnumber
2
252
2
Fr1  3
 3
 96  Fr1  9.79
g*y 1 9.81* 0.872

• The sequent
y2 
2
1 
y1 depth y2 is 2obtained to be:
(1  8Fr1 )  y 2  11.66m  the previous 39
• The safety coefficient is then computed as: notethat; y   y2  y0
Y 1  y0 7.5  6.414
 '   1.19 ok!
y2 11 .66
1.1   '  1.25 Satisfactory
• The length of the stilling basin which the important parameter
in the design is computed:
• K=4.5 for Fr1>10 (4.5 < k < 5.5,where the lower value of k applies for Fr1>10
and the higher for Fr1 ≤ 3)

L  K ( y2  y1 )
 4.5(11.66  0.872)  48.55m take L  50m

40