A doctoral thesis advances in the knowledge of hydraulic highlighting in large dams

The research is the result of the doctoral thesis carried out by Juan Francisco Macián. It was directed by Doctors Francisco Vallés Morán and Rafael García Bartual.

This study carried out in the Laboratory of Hydraulics and Hydraulic Works of the IIAMA-UPV (Institute of Water Engineering and Environment of the Universitat Politècnica de València), allows to analyze together the different physical processes that interact in the hydraulic highlighting of the large dams. It is an advance for the design of a crucial part in this type of infrastructure, such as the energy dissipation structure.

Background of the thesis

The research is based on the reality that most hydraulic infrastructures are designed under different safety requirements and standards than those currently required. This is as a consequence of the impact of climate change.

“The adaptation of buffer bowls to flows higher than those used for their design is key due to the effects of climate change.”

“During the last years, the adaptation of buffer bowls to flows higher than those used for their design has gained great relevance. This adaptation is key due to the effects of climate change and the growing demands of society in terms of safety and protection against floods, “says Juan Francisco Macián.

For this reason, it has developed new techniques and modeling methods to improve the knowledge of hydraulic highlighting as a “key phenomenon for the dissipation of energy in buffer bowls of large dams”.

“The doctoral thesis supports the use of a modeling methodology from the dual physical and numerical perspective, for the study of complex flows and their interaction with hydraulic structures”

“The work done in the doctoral thesis supports the use of a modeling methodology from the dual physical and numerical perspective. This is applied in the study of complex flows and their interaction with hydraulic structures”, says the Valencian researcher.

Developed work

Specifically, the doctoral thesis has studied the hydraulic protrusion in isolation to achieve a complete characterization of it. It also analyzes several cases of hydraulic protrusion in a typified buffer bowl very widespread in large dams.

“A representative case of classic hydraulic protrusion and several cases of highlight associated with the USBR II typified shock bowl have been evaluated”

“We have evaluated a representative case of classic hydraulic highlight and several cases of highlight associated with the USBR II typified shock bowl. Differences are observed regarding the influence of the energy dissipator elements present in the bowl. Also in the characteristics related to the supercritical flow upstream of the foot of the highlight”, explains Dr. Macián.

Results Obtained in the thesis

The results obtained determine that the energy dissipator elements present in the USBR II typified bowl, “have a positive influence on the hydraulic highlight that is generated at the foot of the dam. Either because they contribute to the energy dissipating function or because they help to stabilize or reduce the dimensions of the highlight”, says the Valencian researcher.

The IIAMA researcher highlights the positive impact of his study. It helps improve the design of energy dissipation structures in large dams.

Finally, Dr. Macián highlights the positive impact of his study. It helps “improve the design of energy dissipation structures in large dams. Therefore, it contributes to the adaptation of this type of infrastructure to the new safety standards, undoubtedly more demanding than those that led to the project of the same”, concludes highlighting the IIAMA researcher.

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Source: https://www.iiama.upv.es/

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