Innovative hydraulic design of some canal and river structures for economy and efficiency

ABSTRACT Numerous hydraulic structures are to be provided in canals and rivers for storage, diversion and transport of water. Some innovative, economic and improved hydraulic design has been discussed. Transitions are to be provided in all canal structures wherever the canal is flumed to achieve economy. Most popular transition in the USA and Europe is Hinds transition. The author performed large numbers of experiments to introduce short curved transitions at entry and straight expansion at exit to attain higher efficiency and better performance. Energy dissipaters are usually provided with parallel side walls followed by transition structures to connect the stilling basin with normal channel section, resulting in huge cost of the structure. For low value of inflow Froude’s number (F1), the author introduced a new type of energy dissipater with straight diverging side walls starting from toe of the structure so that it functions as both energy dissipater and flow diffuser. Flow metering structures are needed for flow measurement in both rivers and canals. Parshall flumes may be free or submerged. The author invented a new proportional-type flow meter, by simultaneously fluming and raising the bed so that the flow remains free for all discharges in a given range.