Author(s): Faezeh Fooladimahani; Shawn P. Clark
Linked Author(s): Shawn Clark
Keywords: Ice boom; Safety boom; Debris boom; Energetic flows; Freeboard; Dynamic Load
Abstract: Floating retention structures, also known as booms, are crucial protective infrastructure in rivers and narrow water bodies. They serve various purposes, including controlling the movement of ice and debris, reducing the risk of ice jams, expediting the formation of a stable ice cover, and acting as safety barriers. This research was motivated by the challenge of employing booms in highly energetic flows, a relatively unexplored area in the existing body of research. To address this gap, small-scale experiments were conducted to assess the behavior of booms in dynamic conditions. In these experiments, booms were represented by single cylinders constructed from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes. A load cell was employed to record the dynamic load exerted on the boom over time. This study emphasizes the load across a wide range of Froude numbers, spanning from low Froude numbers to higher values, ultimately reaching total submergence of the boom. These distinct Froude numbers were generated by adjusting the inflow discharge in the experimental flume and adjusting the downstream tailwater control. Additionally, the study examines four booms with varying levels of freeboard to assess the impact of freeboard height, in addition to the Froude number, on the load experienced by the boom. The results of these experiments reveal that the load and its fluctuations increase with rising Froude numbers until the point of total submergence, after which the load decreases slightly. Furthermore, booms with higher freeboards exhibit greater tolerance for higher load magnitudes. Given the increasing frequency of unexpected water body conditions resulting from climate change, the findings of this experimental investigation offer valuable insights for engineers and organizations. This understanding enables them to better comprehend how booms respond under critical hydrodynamic conditions, helping them prepare for the associated risks and hazards in various water flows.
Year: 2024