Short Introduction to Hydraulic StructuresS
2020
Hydraulic structures are anything that can be used to divert,
restrict, stop, or manage the natural flow of water.
They can be made from materials ranging from large rock,
concrete and wooden timbers or tree trunks.
Dam, is a type of hydraulic structure used to hold water in a
reservoir as potential energy, just as a weir is a type of
hydraulic structure which can be used to pool water for
irrigation, establish control of the bed (grade
control)
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 2
Main Purposes of Hydraulic Structures:
❑ Construct waterways and artificial basins when the
natural water is not sufficient or is absolutely
absent in specific area.
❑ Construct some structures for special purposes like
navigation locks, and hydropower plants.
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 3
Classification of hydraulic structures on
the basis of material
Earth fill
Rock fill
Concrete
Stone masonry
Timber
Steel coffer
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 4
Types of Hydraulic structures:
The hydraulic structures constructing on
waterways are divided into three types:
➢ Water retaining structures for storage water at the
upstream during flood season such as dams.
➢ Structures to raise the water level at the upstream
to feed the canals such as Barrages, small regulators
or weirs.
➢ Inland navigation structure such as navigation lock
to facilitate the passage of vessels.
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Principal Hydraulics Structures
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Water Resources Investment:
Water resources investment by hydraulic structures
are found in the following areas: Oceans, Seas, Rivers
and Under-Groundwater. The main branches in
which the water resources to be invested are:
❑ Irrigation of the agriculture land
❑ Water transportation and navigation purposes
❑ Domestic use (drinking, manufactories demands)
❑ Conduct clean electrical energy
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 8
Classification of hydraulic structures on the basis of
function
❑ Flow control structures
They are used to regulate the flow and pass excess flow. They might be gates,
spillways, valves, or outlets
❑ Flow measurement structures
They are used to measure discharge. They are weirs, orifices, flumes etc.
❑ Division structures
They are used to divert the main course of water flow. They are coffer dams,
weirs, canal headwork, intake works
❑ Energy dissipation structures
They are used to prevent erosion and structural damage. They are stilling
basins, surge dams, check dams
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 9
Classification of hydraulic structures on
the basis of function
❑ River training and water stabilizing structures
They are used to maintain river channel and water transportation. Levees,
cutoffs, locks, piers, culverts
❑ Sediment and quality control structures
They are used to control or remove sediments and other pollutants. They are
racks, screens, traps, sedimentation tanks, filters, sluiceways
❑ Hydraulic machines
They are used to convert energy from one form to another. They are turbines,
pumps, ramps
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 10
Classification of hydraulic structures on
the basis of function
❑ Storage structures
They are used for the purpose of storage of water. These may be dams or
tanks etc
❑ Shore protection structures
They are used to protect banks. Dikes, groins, jetties, revetments
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 11
The design of any hydraulic structure is divided
into three phases:
➢ Hydraulic Design
➢ Structural Analysis
➢ Detailed Drawings
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 12
Required Technical Data for Design and Construction:
Investigations to collect data and information are
the most important step to design and construct
any of a hydraulic structure. These data including
the following:
✓ Project area
✓ Geological deformation
✓ Hydraulic properties of the water way
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 13
Guidance Points for Collecting Data:
The following points must be considered in collecting
data:
✓ Temperature degree for about 5 years at the project
location
✓ Average humidity for a year
✓ Rating curve for discharge and levels
✓ Monthly average discharge at the project location for
one year
✓ General description of the project and its components
✓ International and local specification will be used in the
design and construction
✓ Test results on the constructing materials
2020 Lecturer: Ir. Joseph Hahirwabasenga 14
Examples of Hydraulic Structures
❑ Weirs
❑ Dams
❑ Spillways
❑ Water Gates
❑ Aqueducts
❑ Seawalls
❑ Revetments
❑ Dikes and Levees
❑ Groins
❑ Cofferdam
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Hydraulic Structure Effect on a Water Way:
➢ Effect on Ground Water
➢ Effect on the suspended and bed loads
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Hydraulic Structure Effects or a Water way
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