Experimental evaluation of spur dikes placement position effect on the hydraulic and erosion conditions of intakes

Abstract

The use of spur dikes have been recently considered by researchers in order to change the direction or flow regime in the lateral intake. In this study, the effect of spur dikes on increasing the intake discharge has been examined to minimize turbulence, erosion and sedimentation. Five experimental models in two different discharges were used. The model without the spur dike is the control model, and spur dikes in the other models were placed upstream and in the direction of the intake; upstream and in front of the intake; downstream and in front of intake; and also upstream and in front of intake as a form of spur dike series. The results showed that the spur dikes downstream and in front of the intake had the highest input discharge to the intake in both discharge states. A lower rate of erosion and sedimentation was achieved when the spur dike was located upstream of the channel.