Case Study of an S-Shaped Spillway Using Physical and Numerical Models

The spillway studied in this paper was designed as an “S” shape in plan view, characterized in two curved conduits, steep slopes, and small curvature radiuses. An approach of the combination of physical and numerical models was adopted to study the hydraulic characteristics and examine the feasibility of the design. By setting proper sills whose specific layouts were determined by numbers of experiments at the bottom of the curved conduits, the flow pattern was significantly improved. The k–e turbulence model was used to simulate the three-dimensional turbulent flow. The free water surface was determined by the volume of fluid method, and the governing equations were solved by the finite volume method. Simulated results of the free water surface and the velocity are in good agreement with measured data. It is shown that S shaped spillways are feasible in practical projects. Moreover, numerical simulations are useful for the design and analysis of S shaped spillways.