Dams & Spillways
Hydroelectric power projects are sensitive to three-dimensional flow effects, and accurately predicting flow patterns is important for maximizing efficiency. FLOW-3D HYDRO is an industry leader in free-surface flow modeling and is used by dam professionals to address a wide range of design problems for existing and proposed projects. With state-of-art free surface flow modeling, exceptional accuracy and ease of use, and seamless integration of our solution into high performance computing platforms, dams and spillways are ideally suited for the natural modeling strengths of FLOW-3D HYDRO. From the simplest ogee to the most complex geometric configurations, every element of the dam and its surrounding infrastructure are ideal candidates for FLOW-3D HYDRO modeling. Common challenges that FLOW-3D HYDRO addresses include improving flow efficiency and distribution at intakes and spillways, performing complex environmental impact assessments of dams, and designing and optimizing fish passages.
Dams & Spillways Playlist
With the increased availability of high performance computing platforms, large scale simulation of complex free surface flows can now include very high meshing density, which delivers for the user a very high accuracy representation of the flow. This labyrinth weir model includes the free surface flow, as well as an estimate of air entrainment.
Development of a hydraulic jump simulated with FLOW-3D HYDRO. The top view is a ray-traced rendering of the flow; the bottom view, a 2D slice of the velocity field. This simulation was postprocessed with FLOW-3D POST, our new postprocessor for visualization and analysis across FLOW-3D products. Learn more at www.flow3d.com/hydro
Hydraulic jumps such as the one shown in this simulation can be engineered to provide energy dissipation at dam outfalls and other structures which would be at risk due to the kinetic energy of the flow. This simulation was created in FLOW-3D HYDRO and post-processed using FLOW-3D POST‘s ray tracing capabilities. To learn more about FLOW-3D HYDRO, go to https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/. To learn more about our powerful post-processing software FLOW-3D POST, go to https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-post/.
This high definition FLOW-3D HYDRO simulation shows the flow over a flip bucket structure, a common configuration in a side channel spillway. Learn more about FLOW-3D HYDRO‘s 3D modeling solutions for the water & environmental industry at https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/dams-and-spillways/
In this example of a self-priming siphon spillway, water flowing through the chute entrains so as to progressively create sub-atmospheric conditions in the siphon. In this example, the Free surface – TruVOF workspace template as well as a second order momentum advection scheme accurately captures the strongly rotational features of the flow. Learn more about what’s new in FLOW-3D HYDRO and its CFD modeling solutions at https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/whats-new-in-flow-3d-hydro/
FLOW-3D HYDRO is the ideal tool for the design and analysis of fish passage structures. Reduce uncertainties in your design and analysis with highly accurate 3D simulations to evaluate the effects of flow velocities, depths, drop heights and turbulence characteristics on upstream fish passage success. In this example of an ice harbor fishway, FLOW-3D HYDRO is used to simulate velocities in the underflow and overflow portions of the weir. Additionally, flow patterns can be analyzed within the turning pools to determine potential affects on movement behavior. Learn more about our water & environmental modeling solutions at https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/dams-and-spillways/
Modeling spillway over-topping hydraulics for high flood conditions at a labyrinth weir structure. Results post-processed with FlowSight, FLOW-3D HYDRO‘s state-of-the-art visualization and analysis tool. For more information about the many types of spillways, FLOW-3D HYDRO can accurately model, visit https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/dams-and-spillways/
In this 3D simulation of a baffle fishway passage, FLOW-3D HYDRO is being used to predict the depth-averaged velocity and entrained air of the flow through the structure. Learn more about our comprehensive modeling solutions for fishway passages at https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/dams-and-spillways/
Dam breach simulation using FLOW-3D HYDRO. A fully 3D simulation was performed in the vicinity of the breach to capture the complex 3D hydraulic conditions. Learn more about FLOW-3D HYDRO‘s comprehensive modeling solutions for the water & environmental industry at https://www.flow3d.com/products/flow-3d-hydro/dams-and-spillways/
Dams & Spillways Focused Applications
Hydraulic controls
Intake hydraulics
Tailings
Tailrace analysis
Spillway analysis
Dam breach
Fishways
Stilling basins
Case Studies
Proud to be Corporate Members
