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Numerical analysis of energy dissipator options using computational fluid dynamics modeling — a case study of Mirani Dam

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Abstract

In this study, the FLOW 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was used to estimate the performance of the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) type II and USBR type III stilling basins as energy dissipation options for the Mirani Dam spillway, Pakistan. The 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were solved, which included sub-grid models for air entrainment, density evaluation, and drift–flux, to capture free-surface flow over the spillway. Five models were considered in this research. The first model has a USBR type II stilling basin with a length of 39.5 m. The second model has a USBR type II stilling basin with a length of 44.2 m. The 3rd and 4th models have a USBR type II stilling basin with a length of 48.8 m and a 39.5 m USBR type III stilling basin, respectively. The fifth model is identical to the fourth, but the friction and chute block heights have been increased by 0.3 m. To set up the best FLOW 3D model conditions, mesh sensitivity analysis was performed, which yielded a minimum error at a mesh size of 0.9 m. Three sets of boundary conditions were tested and the set that gave the minimum error was employed. Numerical validation was done by comparing the physical model energy dissipation of USBR type II (L = 48.8 m), USBR type III (L =35.5 m), and USBR type III with 0.3-m increments in blocks (L = 35.5 m). The statistical analysis gave an average error of 2.5% and a RMSE (root mean square error) index of less than 3%. Based on hydraulics and economic analysis, the 4th model was found to be an optimized energy dissipator. The maximum difference between the physical and numerical models in terms of percentage energy absorbed was found to be less than 5%.

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Funding

This paper was supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (Grant No. 2019QZKK0902) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42077275). It was also supported by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018405).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 54700, Pakistan

    Usama Majeed

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Lahore Leads University, Lahore, 54700, Pakistan

    Najam us Saqib

  3. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 61004, China

    Muhammad Akbar

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  1. Usama Majeed
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  2. Najam us Saqib
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  3. Muhammad Akbar
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Correspondence to Muhammad Akbar.

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Majeed, U., Saqib, N.u. & Akbar, M. Numerical analysis of energy dissipator options using computational fluid dynamics modeling — a case study of Mirani Dam. Arab J Geosci 15, 1614 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10888-8

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