Calculating Forces on Components of Hydraulic Structures
Abstract
This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) demonstrates a means of calculating hydraulic forces acting on submerged surfaces of hydraulic structures. The primary concern in evaluating the hydraulic performance of a structure is whether it can withstand the imposed hydraulic forces. Forces acting on components such as stilling basins, spillway faces, bridge piers, culvert valves, spillway gates, lock guard walls, floodwalls, etc., must be accurately estimated to ensure appropriate structural, mechanical, and geotechnical design. A method of calculating the forces acting on surfaces within the domain of a computational flow model has been developed. This process of integrating the primary flow variables over surfaces of interest is described. A numerical example of an application to determine the magnitude and distribution of the hydrodynamic loads acting on a lock culvert valve is presented. Numerical models capable of calculating hydraulic loads on bridge piers, lock guard walls, culvert valves, tainter valves, floodwalls, and moored ships will result in more cost-effective structural, mechanical, and geotechnical designs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA508419
Entities
People
- E. A. Hammack
- Moira T. Fong
- Richard L. Stockstill
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center