Author(s): David Lopez; Roberto Marivela; Fernando Aranda
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Keywords: Sph; Turbulent jets; Swirl; Still basin pressure
Abstract: The new technique of Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) opens a new landscape for mathematical processing which gives good results in the more extreme situations of flow in hydraulic structures where many new possibilities can be explored. To make use of SPH as a design tool is necessary to validate it with data from physical and prototype tests. The outlet bottom of the Villar del Rey dam (Badajoz, Spain), are made up of two pipes of 1600 mm in diameter with a capacity to drain 80 m3/s. Drains discharging into the still basin of the surface spillway. The impact of the jets in the basin produces a swirl hampering the normal functioning of the facility, flooding a hydroelectric plant next to the dam. To solve this problem, the Guadiana River Administration has commissioned the CEDEX Laboratory of Hydraulics a study in physical model to scale 1:40. It has used this work to calibrate the model SPH, which have been carried out measures of pressure on the bottom of the still basin of the dam. This impact creates depressions in the bottom of the basin, so high that they have removed the basin concrete surface. Solution has been proposed as the provision of a nozzle at the exit baffle of the outlet to distribute the impact on the basin surface and prevent the formation of eddy. SPH model has shown good results in representing swirl in the basin, and pressure records of dam and physical model present a very interesting agreement.
Year: 2009