Simple Methods for Energy Dissipation at Culvert Outlets
by Rollin H. Hotchkiss, (Albrook Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, P.O. Box 642910, Pullman, WA 99164-2910 E-mail: rhh@wsu.edu) and Emily A. Larson, (Hydraulic Engineer, Engineering and Hydrosystems Inc., 8122 South Park Lane, Suite 308, Littleton, CO 80120 E-mail: emily.larson@enghydro.com)
pp. 1-12, (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/40792(173)443)
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| Document type: |
Conference Proceeding Paper |
| Part of: |
Impacts of Global Climate Change |
| Abstract: |
Experiments were performed to investigate the energy dissipation realized at the outlet of a culvert using two simple design alternatives: (1) Design I, a simple weir near the culvert outlet, and (2) Design II, a weir with a drop upstream in the culvert outlet barrel. The two designs are intended to reduce the flow energy at the outlet by inducing a hydraulic jump within the culvert barrel, without the aid of tailwater. This paper examines the jump geometry, the effectiveness of each jump type, and proposes a design procedure for practicing engineers. The design procedure is applicable to culverts with approach Froude numbers from 2.6–6.0. Both designs are effective in reducing outlet velocity 0.7 to 8.5 ft/s (0.21–2.59 m/s), momentum 10–48%, and energy 6–71%. The design layouts allow easy access for maintenance activities. |
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