University of Bahri - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Civil Engineering

Fundamental and General Concept

Hydraulic Structures - Topic 1

Lecturer Mohamed Mahgoub Sharif - June. 2023

 Introduction To Hydraulic Structures

The History of Hydraulic

Structure
Conventional Hydraulic
Design Process

Role of Economics,
Introduction Optimization &
Risk Analysis In
Hydraulic Design
 Introduction

❖ Hydraulic structures are engineering structures constructed for the purposes of harnessing
and using water resources (groundwater, surface water, lakes, sea, etc) or for the prevention
of the negative and destructive actions (floods, shore erosion, etc) of water on the
surrounding environment.

▪ There are a large variety of hydraulic structures to serve the many purposes for which
water resources are put to use.
▪ There are several classifications of hydraulic structures, however, the most important is
the classification by function as given below.
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 Con. Introduction

❖ Classification of Hydraulic Structures by function

# Type Purpose Structure

1 Storage structures store water Dams, tanks
regulate the quantity and Spillways, outlets, gates,
2 Flow control structures
pass excess flow valves
3 Flow measurement structures determine discharge Weirs, orifices, flumes
divert the main course Coffer dams, weirs, canal
4 Division structures
of water headworks, intake works
Open channel, pressure
guide flow from one
5 Conveyance structures conduits, pipes, canals and
location to another
sewers
collect water for Drain inlets, infiltration
6 Collection structures
disposal galleries, wells 2
 Con. Introduction

❖ Con. Classification of Hydraulic Structures by function

# Type Purpose Structure

prevent erosion and Stilling basins, surge tanks,
7 Energy dissipation structures
structural damage check dams
Dikes, groins, jetties,
8 Shore protection structures protect banks
revetments
River training and waterway maintain river channel Levees, cutoffs, locks, piers,
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stabilization structures and water transportation culverts
control or remove Racks, screens, traps,
Sediment and quality control
10 sediments and other sedimentation tanks, filters,
structures
pollutants sluiceways
convert energy from one
11 Hydraulic machines Pumps, turbines, rams.
from to another 3
Con. Introduction

Satellite image of Merowe dam and reservoir Upper Atbara and Setit
(Storage Structure) (Storage Structure)

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 Intake works
Con. Introduction (Division Structure)

Field outlet Pipes

(Flow Control Structure)

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 Dikes
Con. Introduction (Shore Production Structures
)

Stilling Basin
(Energy Dissipation Structures)

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❖ Design of Hydraulic Structures such as dams, weirs, barrages, head regulators, cross-
drainage works, etc consist of two phases: conceptual design and detailed design.
Each phase plays a critical role in ensuring the effectiveness, safety, and sustainability
of the structure

▪ Conceptual Design Phase

In this initial stage, engineers focus on conceptualizing the overall layout and functionality
of the hydraulic structure. Key considerations include:

➢ Hydrological Analysis: Understanding the flow characteristics of the water,

including peak flow rates, flood frequencies, and sediment transport patterns. This
analysis forms the basis for determining the design discharge and hydraulic
parameters. 7
 Con. Conceptual Design Phase

➢ Site Assessment: Evaluating the topography, geology, soil conditions, and environmental
factors at the proposed site. Factors such as accessibility, land acquisition, and ecological impact
are also taken into account.

➢ Functional Requirements: Defining the primary purpose of the hydraulic structure, whether
it's for flood control, irrigation, water supply, hydropower generation, or navigation. This helps
in determining the appropriate type and size of the structure.

➢ Selection of Structure Type: Considering various options such as weirs, barrages, head
regulators, or cross-drainage works based on the project requirements, site conditions, and
hydraulic characteristics. 8
 Con. Conceptual Design Phase

➢ Preliminary Sizing: Estimating the dimensions, crest elevation, and other geometric parameters
of the structure to meet the anticipated flow conditions and operational objectives.

➢ Hydraulic Performance: Assessing the hydraulic performance of different design alternatives

through preliminary hydraulic modeling and simulation studies. This involves evaluating factors
such as flow distribution, energy dissipation, sedimentation, and scour potential.

➢ Economic Viability: Conducting a preliminary cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the

economic feasibility of the proposed design alternatives and identify potential cost-saving
measures.
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 Con. Introduction

▪ Detailed Design Phase

Once the conceptual design is approved, engineers proceed with the detailed design phase,
which involves refining the design and preparing comprehensive construction plans. Key
activities in this phase include:

➢ Hydraulic Analysis: Detailed hydraulic modeling to refine flood routing, sediment

transport, and reservoir operation strategies.

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 Con. Detailed Design Phase

➢ Structural Analysis: Performing structural analysis and design calculations to ensure stability,
strength, and durability of the hydraulic structure under various loading conditions.

➢ Geotechnical Investigations: Conducting soil investigations to assess foundation conditions,

seepage analysis, and stability of abutments.

➢ Material Selection and Specifications: Selecting appropriate construction materials and

specifying quality standards to meet design requirements and ensure longevity.

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 Con. Detailed Design Phase

➢ Construction Methodology: Developing a comprehensive construction plan outlining

sequence of activities, equipment requirements, and safety protocols.

➢ Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying potential risks during construction and
operation phases and devising risk mitigation strategies.

➢ Environmental Management Plan: Implementing measures to minimize environmental

impacts during construction and operation, such as erosion control, sedimentation management,
and habitat restoration.

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 Con. Detailed Design Phase

➢ Quality Assurance and Control: Establishing protocols for quality assurance and control to
ensure compliance with design specifications and standards throughout the construction process.

❖ Throughout both phases, collaboration between engineers, architects, environmentalists,

and other stakeholders is essential to address diverse challenges and ensure the successful
completion of the hydraulic structure. Additionally, periodic reviews and revisions may be
necessary to adapt to changing conditions and emerging requirements.

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 The History of
Hydraulic Structure

❖ Irrigation in Egypt and Mesopotamia

Humans have spent most of their history
Since the Egyptian’s and Mesopotamian’s first
as hunters and food-gatherers. Only in the
successful efforts to control the flow of water
past 9,000 to 10,000 years have humans
thousands of years ago, a rich history of discovered how to raise crops and tame
hydraulics has evolved. animals. Such changes probably occurred
first in the hills to the north of present day
Iraq and Syria. 14
 Con. The History of
Hydraulic Structure

Comparative irrigation networks in Upper Egypt and

Mesopotamia. (A) Example of linear, basin
irrigation in Sohag province, ca. AD 1850.
(B) Example of radial canalization system in the
lower Nasharawan region southeast of Baghdad,
Abbasid (A.D. 883–1150). Modified from R. M.
Adams (1965, (Fig. 9) Same scale as Egyptian
counterpart) (C) Detail of field canal layout in (B)
(Simplified from R. M. Adams, 1965, Fig. 10).
Figure as presented in Butzer (1976)
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 Con. The History of Hydraulic Structure

Map of fossilized canals on the Llano de la

Taza in the Tehuacan Valley Mexico.
(Woodbury and Neely, 1972, as presented in
Doolittle, 1990)

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 Con. The History of Hydraulic Structure

Schematic representation of the major

components of a Hohokam irrigation system in
the Phoenix Basin. (Masse,1991)

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 Con. The History of Hydraulic Structure

▪ Located in modern-day Jordan, the Jawa

Mesopotamia
Dam was originally constructed around
3,000 BCE in what was then Mesopotamia.

▪ In its prime, the Jawa Dam was 15 feet tall,

80 feet long, with a base of 15 feet. It
created the Jawa Reservoir that had a
capacity of 1.1 million cubic feet.
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Con. The History of Hydraulic Structure

▪ Approximately 400 years after the

construction of the highly successful Jawa
Dam, Egyptians built the Sadd el-Kafara,
or Dam of the Pagans, most likely to supply
water to the local quarries outside of Cairo
rather than for irrigation, since the flooding
Nile would have supplied plenty of water to
the farmers.
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 Con. The History of
Hydraulic Structure

▪ Roman empire: The Romans, highly

regarded for their advances in hydraulic
engineering, were prolific in dam
construction during the height of the empire.
In addition to the vast network of aqueducts,
The Cornalvo Dam, a Roman gravity dam in built in
the Romans built a plethora of gravity dams, the 1st or 2nd century AD, still supplies water to the
most notably the Subiaco Dams, which were people of Meriden, Spain.
constructed around 60 AD tocreate a
pleasure lake for Emperor Nero.
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 ▪ Knossos, approximately 5 km from Herakleion,
Urban Water Supply and Drainage Systems the modern capital of Crete, was among the most
ancient and unique cities of the Aegeanand
Europe.

▪ Anatolia, also called Asia Minor, which is part of

the Republic of Turkey, has been the crossroads of
many civilizations during the past 10,000 years.
Water distribution pipe in Knossos,
Crete. (Photograph by L.W. Mays) During the last 4000 years, going back to the
Hittite period (2000–200 B.C.) many remains of
Urban drainage system in Knossos,
ancient urban water supply systems have been
Crete. (Photograph by L.W. Mays)
found, including pipes, canals, tunnels, inverted
siphons, aqueducts, reservoirs, cisterns, and dams.
(see Ozis, 1987 and Ozisand Harmancioglu,
1979). 21
 Water distribution pipe in Knossos,
Crete. (Photograph by L.W. Mays)

Urban drainage system in Knossos,

Crete. (Photograph by L.W. Mays)

A drainage channel on the floor of

the Great Theater at Ephesus, View of the baths at Perge,Anatolia,
Turkey. (Photograph by L. W. Mays) Turkey. (Photographs by L.W. Mays)
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 Conventional Hydraulic
Design Process

❖ Conventional procedures for hydraulic design are basically iterative trial-and-correction

procedures.

▪ The effectiveness of conventional procedures depends on an engineer’s intuition, experience,

skill, and knowledge of hydraulic systems. Therefore, conventional procedures are closely
related to the human element, a factor that could lead to inefficient results for the design and
analysis of complex systems.

▪ The conventional procedure can lead to non-optimal or uneconomical designs and operation
policies. Also, the conventional procedure can be extremely time consuming.
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 Con. Conventional Hydraulic Design Process

▪ The figures presents a depiction of the conventional procedure for

design and analysis. For example, determining a least-cost
pumping scheme for an aquifer dewatering problem would require
one to select the required pump sizes and the site where the
aquifer would be dewatered. Using a trial set of pump sizes and
sites, a groundwater simulation model is solved to determine
whether the water levels are lower than desired.

▪ If the pumping scheme (pump size and site) does not satisfy the
water levels, then a new pumping scheme is selected and
simulated. This iterative process is continued, each time to
determine the cost of the scheme
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 Role of Economics In
Hydraulic Design

❖ Engineering Economic Analysis: is an evaluation process that can be used to compare

alternative hydraulic designs and then apply a discounting technique to select the best
alternative. To perform this analysis, the engineer must understand several basic concepts,
such as equivalence of kind, equivalence of time, and discounting factors.

❖ Benefit-Cost Analysis: Water projects extend over time, incur costs throughout the duration
of the project, and yield benefits. Typically, the costs are large during the initial start-up
period of construction, followed by operation and maintenance costs only. Benefits typically
build up to a maximum over time, as depicted in [Fig-1]. which presenting values of benefits
(PVB) and costs (PVC) 25
Con. Role of Economics In Hydraulic Design

Fig-1: Illustration of how benefits (B) and costs (C) build up over time
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 Con. Role of Economics In Hydraulic Design

▪ When selecting a set of projects, one rule for optimal selection is to maximize the current
value of net benefits. Another ranking criterion is to use the benefit-cost ratio (B/C),
PWB/PWC:

B/C= PVB/PVC > 1

➢ The (B/C) ratio is often used to screen unfeasible alternatives with B/C ratios less than 1
from further consideration.
➢ Selection of the optimum alternative is based on the incremental benefit-cost ratios,
∆B/∆C. 27
 Con. Role of Economics
In Hydraulic Design

Flowchart for a benefit-cost

analysis. (Mays and Tung, 1992)

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❖ Estimated Life Spans of Hydraulic Structures
The life span (in years) given for certain elements of hydraulic projects are listed in Table
1.3. Although such estimates of average lives may be helpful, they are not necessarily the
most appropriate figures to use in any given instance.

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❖ Con. Estimated Life Spans of Hydraulic Structures

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 Role of Optimization
In Hydraulic Design

❖ An optimization problem in water resources can be formulated in a general framework in

terms of the decision variables (x), with an objective function to optimize f(x) Subject to
constraints g(x)=0 and bound constraints on the decision variables X’<x<X’’

➢ where x is a vector of n decision variables (x1, x2, …, xn), g(x) is a vector of m equations
called constraints, and x’ and x’’ represent the lower and upper bounds, respectively, on
the decision variables.

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▪ A feasible solution of the optimization problem is a set of values of the decision variables that
simultaneously satisfies the constraints. The feasible region is the region of feasible solutions
defined by the constraints

▪ An optimal solution is a set of values of the decision variables that satisfies the constraints and
provides an optimal value of the objective function.

▪ Depending on the nature of the objective function and the constraints, an optimization problem
can be classified as:

➢ linear vs. nonlinear

➢ deterministic vs. probabilistic
➢ static vs. dynamic
➢ continuous vs. discrete
➢ lumped parameter vs. distributed parameter
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 Role of Risk In
Hydraulic Design

❖ Existence of Uncertainties

Uncertainties and the consequent related risks in hydraulic design are unavoidable. Hydraulic
structures are always subject to a probability of failure in achieving their intended purposes.

➢ For example, a flood control project may not protect an area from extreme floods. A water
supply project may not deliver the amount of water demanded. This failure may be caused
by failure of the delivery system or may be the result of the lack of supply. A water
distribution system may not deliver water that meets quality standards although the source
of the water does. 33
 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

▪ Risk is defined as the probability of failure, and failure is defined as an event that causes a
system to fail to meet the desired objectives. Reliability is defined as the complement of risk:
i.e., the probability of nonfailure.

▪ Failures can be grouped into either structural failures or performance failures.

➢ Water distribution systems are a good example. A structural failure, such as broken pipe
or a failed pump, can result in unmet demand. In addition, an operational aspect of a
water distribution system, such as the inability to meet demands at required pressure
heads, is a failure despite the lack of a structural failure in any component in the system.
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 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

▪ Uncertainty can be defined as the occurrence of events that are beyond one’s control. The

uncertainty of a hydraulic structure is an indeterministic characteristic and is beyond rigid

controls. In the design and operation of these systems, decisions must be made under various

kinds of uncertainty.

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❖ The sources of uncertainties are multifold

➢ Natural uncertainties are associated with the random temporal and spatial fluctuations that are
inherent in natural processes.

➢ Model structural uncertainties reflect the inability of a simulation model or design procedure to
represent the system’s true physical behavior or process precisely.

➢ Model parameter uncertainties reflect variability in the determination of the parameters to be

used in the model or design.

➢ Data uncertainties include inaccuracies and errors in measurements, inadequacy of the data
gauging network, and errors in data handling and transcription.

➢ Operational uncertainties are associated with human factors, such as construction, manufacture,
deterioration, and maintenance, that are not accounted for in the modeling or design procedure
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 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Uncertainties fall into four major categories:

▪ Hydrologic uncertainty
▪ Hydraulic uncertainty
▪ Structural uncertainty
▪ Economic uncertainty

Each category has various component uncertainties.

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 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Hydrologic uncertainty

▪ can be classified into three types: inherent, parameter, and model uncertainties.

➢ Various hydrologic events, such as streamflow or rainfall, are considered to be stochastic

processes because of their observable natural, (inherent) randomness. Because perfect hydrologic
information about these processes is lacking, informational uncertainties about the processes exist.
These uncertainties are referred to as parameter uncertainties and model uncertainties.

➢ In many cases, model uncertainties result from the lack of adequate data and knowledge necessary
to select the appropriate probability model or from the use of an oversimplified model, such as the
rational method for the design of a storm sewer. 38
 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Hydraulic uncertainty

▪ concerns the design of hydraulic structures and the analysis of their performance.

➢ It arises mainly from three basic sources: the model, the construction and materials,
and the operational conditions of flow.

➢ Model uncertainty results from the use of a simplified or an idealized hydraulic model to
describe flow conditions, which in turn contributes to uncertainty when determining the
design capacity of hydraulic structures. Because simplified relationships, such as
Manning’s equation, are typically used to model complex flow processes that cannot be
described adequately, resulting in model errors. 39
 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Structural uncertainty

refers to failure caused by structural weakness. Physical failures of hydraulic structures can be
caused by saturation and instability of soil, failures caused by erosion or hydraulic soil, wave
action, hydraulic overloading, structural collapse, material failure, and so forth.

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 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Economic uncertainty

▪ can arise from uncertainties regarding construction costs, damage costs, projected revenue,
operation and maintenance costs, inflation, project life, and other intangible cost and benefit
items.
▪ Construction, damage, and operation or maintenance costs are all subject to uncertainties
because of fluctuations in the rate at which construction materials, labor costs, transportation
costs, and economic losses, increase and the rate at which costs increase in different
geographic regions. Many other economic and social uncertainties are related to
inconvenience losses: for example, the failure of a highway crossing caused by flooding,
which results in traffic related losses 41
 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Risk-Reliability Evaluation

I. Load resistance: The load for a system can be defined as an external stress to the system,
and the resistance can be defined as the capacity of the system to overcome the external
load. If we use the variable (R) for resistance and the variable (L) for load, we can define a
failure as the event when the load exceeds the resistance and the consequent risk is the
probability that the loading will exceed the resistance, P(L >R).

II. Composite Risk: Hydrologic and hydraulic uncertainties being the resistance and loading
uncertainties leads to the idea of a composite risk
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❖ Con. Risk-Reliability Evaluation

III. Safety factor: The safety factor is defined as the ratio of the resistance to loading,
R/L. Because the safety factor, SF, R/L is the ratio of two random variables, it also is
a random variable. The risk can be written as P(SF <1) and the reliability can be
written as P(SF>1)

IV. Risk assessment: Risk assessment requires several phases or steps, which can vary
for different types of water resources engineering projects:

(1) identify the risk of hazard

(2) assess load and resistance
(3) perform an analysis of the uncertainties
(4) quantify the composite risk
(5) develop the composite risk-safety factor relationships 43
 Con. Role of Risk In Hydraulic Design

❖ Con. Risk-Reliability Evaluation

V. A model for risk-based design: The risk-based design of hydraulic structures potentially
promises to be the most significant application of uncertainty and risk analysis. The risk-
based design of hydraulic structures integrates the procedures of economics, future
uncertainty analysis, and risk analysis in design practice.

❖ When risk-based design is embedded in an optimization framework, the combined procedure is

called optimal risk-based design. This approach to design is the ultimate model for the design,
analysis, and operation of hydraulic structures and water resource projects that hydraulics
engineers need to strive for in the future
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 MANY THANKS

[email protected]
47 MASSIVE X presentation to DesignTuts team