Solving the World’s Toughest CFD Problems

Dams and Spillways

FLOW-3D HYDRO dams and spillways

Application Overview

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.

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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

Canadian Dam Association Corporate Member
ASDSO Sustaining Member
USSD Sustaining Member
Over the years, FLOW-3D has helped us solve complex hydraulic problems that would have otherwise been very difficult to solve with conventional hydraulic modeling tools. We are very thankful to the team at FLOW-3D. They have constantly been making the software better over the years, and have been very responsive to our needs.
Benjamin Israel DevadasonSenior Hydrologic and Hydraulic Project Engineer, Gannett Fleming, Inc.
It is FLOW-3D‘s inherent simplicity that lends itself to use in real-world problem solving. Rather than spending large amounts of time pre-processing (i.e., setting problems up), users can spend their time applying the results of their work.
John RichardsonBlue Hill Hydraulics
At Golder, we make the strong statement that we thrive on challenges and we know we need to apply the best tools and technologies to confidently address those challenges head-on! This includes the CFD software we use to simulate complex fluid flows for environmental, mining, hydroelectric, and water resources applications. Using FLOW-3D CLOUD, we have consistently been able to better resolve the complex physics associated with our problems and achieved significant time savings for our projects.
W. Daley Clohan
W. Daley ClohanGlobal CFD Lead at Golder Associates Ltd.
FLOW-3D is a powerful tool for solving complex hydraulic issues related to planning, design and operation of our hydraulic system, as well as associated environmental studies. I am also impressed with Flow Science's customer support and product development.
Kevin SydorManitoba Hydro
It was really kind of fun. I learned more about where physical modeling was needed and when so, for certain instances, you actually can just do a pure CFD-based design. The physical model really wasn’t needed, but it gave the validation and reduced risk. It was incredible to get both those things done on a project.
Ryan EdisonAECOM
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