Enhancing Hydraulic Performance and Discharge Efficiency of a Type-C Piano Key Weir Through Stage Incorporation

Abstract

Weirs are hydraulic constructions typically employed in dam spillways and channel control structures. The shape and size of the crest will determine whether the weir is linear or non-linear. Of the two types, non-linear weirs are often selected due to their ability to allow different discharge levels at the minimal heads. A recently introduced variation of the non-linear kind is the piano key weir. This research undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the hydraulic functionality of the type-C piano key weir under conditions of free flow. The research methodology involved modifying the models by adding stages to the sides and monitoring the effect on the efficacy of discharge, represented by the discharge coefficient. The study further extrapolated formulae linking critical variables to the discharge coefficient, using dimensional analysis and SPSS software. The findings of this study revealed that the introduction of stages significantly bolstered the discharge coefficient in the altered models compared to the standard model. This enhancement was reflected in a 6% and 11% ascent with length expansion of the stages and a 6% and 8% rise with height increase of the stages. Additionally, the model's performance was augmented with a drop in the total head ratio

Keywords

• Control structures
• Dimensional analysis
• Discharge coefficient
• Piano key weir
• Type-C