Title:
Designing Spillways to Prevent Cavitation Damage
Author(s):
Kathleen H. Frizell and Brent W. Mefford
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
13
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
58-64
Keywords:
aeration; cavitation; dams; spillways; structural design; surface roughness; tolerances (mechanics); Design
DOI:
Date:
5/1/1991
Abstract:
By following the history of cavitation prevention associated with the spillways at Hoover Dam, a general perspective is obtained for how the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's philosophy on flow surface tolerances and design have changed. These experiences, combined with research on cavitation and alternative spillway designs, have refocused ideas away from requiring very smooth flow surfaces. Research on step spillway designs has prompted the idea that designing in very large roughnesses in the form of steps may yield benefits not only for energy dissipation but also for cavitation prevention.