A study of cavitation on the spillway of Krueng Kluet Dam using physical laboratory model.

A spillway is a hydraulic structure in a dam to release flood discharge and prevent overtopping. The flow through the spillway structure can trigger cavitation, endangering the stability of the construction indicated by an erosion of the ground floor of the spillway structure. This study aimed to examine the cavitation number associated with the safety of the spillway design. The research was conducted on the spillway of the Krueng Kluet Dam using a physical model at the Laboratory of River and Coast – Hydro Engineering Division, Civil Engineering Department, Syiah Kuala University = of Indonesia. The cavitation analysis was undertaken by collecting data on the pressure and velocity at each flow rate variation. The analysis results showed that the spillway of the Krueng Kluet Dam is at level 1 (no cavitation damage), level 2 (possibility of cavitation damage), and level 3 (cavitation damage) risk of damage. The spillway section with the possibility of cavitation damage (level 2) is in the distance 6,3 to 11,1 m from crest spillway, and cavitation damage (level 3) are in distance 10,4 to 11,1 for Q₅ and Q₁₀₀₀. The cavitation that occurred at the bottom of the spillway can be prevented by treating the surface of the spillway structure (grinding rough elements) and using an aerator at the bottom of the spillway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]