Author(s): F. Jacobsen

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: CFD; Spillway; OpenFOAM; HELYX; Arch dam

Abstract: The application of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models can be fraught with uncertainties for the inexperienced modeller. The simulation results can vary radically depending on assumptions made regarding; boundary conditions, model domain, turbulence parameters etc. The acquisition of valuable experience and engineering judgment comes with observation of relevant experimental data, which however is often difficult to source. For Rifle Creek Dam near Mount Isa, Australia, the author took the unusual step of developing a DYI (Do it Yourself) physical model of the dam was in the backyard of the CFD modeller to do experimental comparison with VOF CFD (HELYX) results. While it was well outside of the project scope it was well within the required sleep-at-night factor. The purpose of the project was to investigate methods of increasing the spillway capacity of the 1920’s built dam as per ICOLD (International Committee on Large Dams) dam safely requirements for acceptable flood capacity. Many older dams are subject to similar investigations, due to revised estimated maximum flood sizes, which often also result in retrofit construction activities to increase spillway capacity. Comparison of the simulation and the physical model characteristic spillway flow of the spillway is demonstrated by numerous videos.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14264/uql.2014.23

Year: 2014