Model Study of a Hurricane Surge Barrier Gate Valve

Leech, James R.; ,

Model Study of a Hurricane Surge Barrier Gate Valve

by James R. Leech, US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Physical model studies were conducted to determine the hydraulic performance of a unique vertical butterfly-gated structure. These studies were also used to determine the torque on the gate shaft and the strain on the internal member of the gate valve. The structure was designed to prevent hurricane surges in Lake Pontchartrain from flooding New Orleans, LA, through existing canals. A 1:20-scale three-dimensional model was used to evaluate the design of the proposed structure, to develop canal alignment and gate geometry, and to measure the magnitude and direction of torque on the gate trunnions due to hydraulic forces imposed by wave action and flow conditions. After the design of the gate was finalized in the 1:20-scale model, a 1:10-scale section model of one gate was constructed. This model was used to measure the strain on the internal members of the gate valve, torque on the vertical shaft of the gate and forces imposed on the upper and lower trunnion of the vertical shaft gate. Results of these tests were used to calibrate a finite element model that was used for structural analysis of the gate.

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