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Introduction to canal Headworks

Chapter · September 2018

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Bakenaz A. Zeidan
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 ABSTRACT
Design of irrigation
structures is vital for civil
engineers. Hydraulic and
structural Design of
irrigation structures are
presented in this text.
Diversion headworks as well
as storage dams are
illustrated with numerical
examples and drawing
details. It is a recommended
design manual for
undergraduate and post
graduate civil engineers.

IRRIGATION STRUCTURES Bakenaz A. Zeidan

CANAL HEADWORKS

2018
 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

CONTENTS
Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................ 2
Introduction to Canal Head Works ................................................................................. 2
1.1. Functions of Canal Headworks ....................................................................... 4
1.2. Site Location of Canal Headworks .................................................................. 4
1.3. Diversion Headworks ...................................................................................... 5
1.3.1. Components of a Diversion Headwork ................................................... 6
1.3.2. Weir or barrage?..................................................................................... 7
1.3.3. Canal Head Regulator ................................................................................. 7
1.3.4. Design Phases of Diversion Headworks ...................................................... 8
1.3.5. Failure Modes of Weirs.............................................................................10
1.4. Storage Headworks.......................................................................................11
1.4.1. Concrete Gravity Dams .........................................................................12
1.4.2. Embankment Dams ..............................................................................13
1.4.3. Seepage through Earth dams ...............................................................14
1.4.4. Slope Stability of Earth dams ................................................................15
1.4.5. Failure Modes of Earth dams................................................................16
1.4.6. Seepage Control....................................................................................18
1.5. Reservoirs of Dams .......................................................................................18
1.5.1. Storage Capacity of a dam reservoir ....................................................19
1.5.2. Hydropower Dams ................................................................................20
1.6. Main Headworks in Egypt .............................................................................20

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO CANAL HEAD WORKS

The river discharge is never constant and regular. Obviously when a permanent
canal system is taken-off from the river some works are to be provided at the off-
take to take care of irregularities in river flow condition. Since these works are
constructed at the point of takeoff that is at the head of the canal system they are
termed as canal headworks. The main object of the canal headworks is to divert
the water from the river into the canal. It is sometimes termed diversion
headworks also. Canal Headwork is a civil engineering term for any hydraulic
structure constructed across a river and supplies water to the off taking canal.

Any hydraulic structure which delivers water to off-taking canal is called a

headwork. Canal Headworks are classified to:
Diversion Headworks: A weir or a barrage is constructed across a river to raise
water level and to divert water to a canal is known as a diversion headwork.
Storage Headworks: A dam is constructed across a river valley to form a storage
reservoir is known as a storage headwork.
A dam is constructed across a river valley to form a storage reservoir upstream the
dam which diverts specified discharge flow downstream the dam.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

A Storage Headwork (Dam and reservoir)

A Diversion Headwork (Weir or Barrage))

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.1. FUNCTIONS OF CANAL HEADWORKS

Canal headworks serve the following purposes

1. A headwork raises the water level in the river

2. It regulates the intake of water into the canal

3. It controls the entry of silt into the canal

4. A headwork can store water for small periods

5. A headwork can reduce fluctuations in the level of river supply

1.2. SITE LOCATION OF CANAL HEADWORKS

Site choice of a canal headwork may be:

1. Rocky Stage :River steep slope with high velocity

2. Sub mountainous or boulder stage: boulder or gravel

3. Alluvial plan: Bed slope small with gentle velocity

A headwork site selection should satisfy the following rules:

1. The river section at the site should be narrow and well-defined.

2. The river should have high, well-defined, erodible and non-submersible

banks so that the cost of river training work is minimum

3. The canals taking off from the diversion head works should be quite
economical and should have a large commanded area.
4. There should be suitable arrangement for the diversion of river during
construction.
5. The site should be such that the headwork can be aligned at right angles to
the direction of flow in the river.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.3. DIVERSION HEADWORKS

The works, which are constructed at the head of the canal, in order to divert the
river water towards the canal, so as to ensure a regulated continuous supply of silt-
free water with a certain minimum head into the canal, are known as diversion
heads works. A diversion headwork is constructed across a river to raise water
level and to divert water to a canal. When a weir or barrage is constructed across
a river to raise the water level and to divert the water to the canal, then it is known
as diversion head work. The flow in the canal is controlled by canal head regulator.
Diversion headworks can be:

1. Weir
2. Regulator
3. Barrage

Diversion headwork can further be sub-divided into two principal classes:

1. Temporary spurs or bunds

2. Permanent weirs and barrages

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

Temporary spurs or bunds: Temporary spurs or bunds are those which are
temporary and are constructed every year after floods, however, for important
works, weirs or barrages are constructed since they are of permanent nature if
properly designed.

1.3.1. Components of a Diversion Headwork

 Weir or barrage
 Under sluices
 Divide wall
 Fish ladder
 Canal head regulator
 Pocket or approach channel
 Silt excluders/ Silt prevention devices
 River training works (Marginal bund and guide banks)

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.3.2. Weir or barrage?

A weir is a raised concrete crest wall constructed across the river. Based on
materials of construction, design features and types of soil foundation the weir may
be of different types. Such as: [Link] drop weir 2. Rock fill weirs 3. Concrete
weir with sloping glacis.

1. It may be provided with small shutters (gates) on its top.

2. In the case of weir, most of the raising of water level or ponding is done
by the solid weir wall and little with by the shutters.

3. A barrage has a low crest wall with high gates.

4. During the floods the gates are opened so afflux is very small

1.3.3. CANAL HEAD REGULATOR

Structure at the head of canal taking off from a reservoir may consist of number of
spans separated by piers and operated by gates. Regulators are normally aligned at
90° to the weir. Up to 10" are considered preferable for smooth entry into canal.
The functions of canal head regulator are:

1. To admit water into the off taking canal.

2. To regulate the supplies into the canal.

3. Discharge formula and observed head

of water on the crest.

4. To control the silt entry into the canal.

During heavy floods, it should be closed
otherwise high silt quantity will leave to the
canal.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.3.4. DESIGN PHASES OF DIVERSION HEADWORKS

Pre-design phase: topography maps, geological studies, flow discharge, and
velocity measurements, channel bathymetry and water levels, available
construction material, soil investigations and pore hole logs, soil bearing capacity
at foundation level.

Hydraulic design phase: Seepage analysis, Uplift pressure analysis, Percolation

length, Hydraulic jump analysis, Exit gradient analysis, Safety against piping and

scour.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

Structural design phase: Design of elementary profile, Stability against

overturning, Stability against shear and sliding, Stability against overstresses,
Stability of soil at foundation level.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

Environmental Impact Assessment: Hydrology, Water and air quality, Soil

properties and safety erects, Erosion and sedimentation, Biological and ecological
change, Socio-economic impacts, Ecological imbalances, Human health.

1.3.5. FAILURE MODES OF WEIRS

Hydraulic failure: uplift, piping, suction, scour

Structural failure: over stresses, overturning, shear and sliding

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4. STORAGE HEADWORKS

When dam is constructed across a river to form a storage reservoir, it is known as
storage head work. It stores water during the period of excess supplies in the river
and releases it when demand overtakes the available supplies.

What is a Dam?

Dam is a solid barrier across river to create a reservoir on its upstream side.

Reservoir is an artificial lake u/s of dam

Functions of Dams to store water in a reservoir upstream the dam.

Location of a Dam should not be on a curve; at a narrow river section; on good

soil.

Type of a Dam depends on: material of construction, initial cost, foundation soil
capacity, Function of dam, Storage capacity.

Classification of Dams depends on: Storage Capacity, Dam Height, Material of

construction, Rigidity, Geometrical Shape, Structural System.

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4.1. Concrete Gravity Dams

Elementary Profile and Components

Dam body
Reservoir body
Dam crest
Dam height
Dam axis
Dam base
Dam toe
Dam heel
Dam foundation

Acting Forces

Dam weight
Hydrostatic pressure
Uplift pressure
Active sedimentation pressure
Earthquake forces

Cases of Operation
Case 1: Just After Construction
Case 2: During normal operation
conditions
Case 3: During flood conditions

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4.2. Embankment Dams

Elementary Profile and Components

Typical Embankment Dams

High Aswan Dam

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4.3. Seepage through Earth dams

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4.4. Slope Stability of Earth dams

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

Cases of operations

Case I Construction condition with or without partial pool: Check stability of

upstream and downstream slopes
Case II - Reservoir partial pool: Check stability of upstream slope
Case III - Sudden drawdown: Check stability of downstream slope
Case IV - Steady seepage: Check stability of downstream slope
Case V - Steady seepage with sustained rainfall: Check stability of upstream
and downstream slopes.

1.4.5. Failure Modes of Earth dams

 Hydraulic Failure
 Seepage Failure
 Structural Failure

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Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.4.6. Seepage Control

1.5. RESERVOIRS OF DAMS

A Reservoir is an artificial lake upstream of dam

Classification of Reservoirs

1. Small: Between 0.5 & 10 million m3

2. Intermediate: Between 10 & 60 million m3

3. Large: Greater than 60 million m3

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.5.1. Storage Capacity of a dam reservoir

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

1.5.2. Hydropower Dams

Storage dams are generally employed to generate electricity with the potential
water head available, as shown in the following figure.

1.6. MAIN HEADWORKS IN EGYPT

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 Irrigation Structures | Bakenaz A. Zeidan

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