Design Concept and Analysis for a Navigation Dam Gate Guard
Abstract
Accidents on navigable waterways in the United States can cause barge tows to break up and, subsequently, individual barges to be carried downstream by the current. As a breakaway barge approaches a navigation structure, its path is essentially determined by the flow patterns around the lock and dam. A primary concern is that a barge will travel to the dam, pass between spillway gate piers, and either strike a gate or become jammed. Either way, the result can be the loss of gate control and perhaps the loss of a navigable pool. Hite (2008) reports on recent closures of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation projects attributed to tow/barge accidents. These accidents have been costly to the towing industry due to closures and to the government due to expensive structural repairs. Examples of accidents that have occurred in the last decade include events on the Ohio River at Belleville Locks and Dam (Figure 1) and at Montgomery Lock and Dam both in January 2005.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA540886
Entities
People
- E. A. Hammack
- Jane Vaughan
- Richard L. Stockstill
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center