Evaluation of Side Spillway Cavitation of Krueng Kluet Dam Using Computational Fluid Dynamic

Abstract

Dam construction provides benefits to improve socio-economic status through the availability of food self-sufficiency, irrigation, conservation efforts, hydropower, flood control, and many other benefits to the community around the development. Before the construction process is carried out, a study is needed to present the flow behavior at side spillway of the dam to be safe against hydraulic failure, namely cavitation. The safety evaluation of this dam was carried out on the Krueng Kluet Dam located in South Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, using computational fluid dynamics. The method used in this study is a calculation of analysis from the results of numerical modeling at Krueng Kluet Dam with a discharge flow of Q1000. Cavitation analysis takes flow velocity and pressure data on the side spillway. Results show that crest of the spillway, side channels, and transition channels are safe from cavitation damage. In chute channel, cavitation damage occurs at distances of 450-465 m, 485-505 m, and 560-580 m. This cavitation arises due to a considerable negative static pressure value that can erode the channel surface slowly. A design to prevent cavitation is installing an aerator on chute channel or building a sill on transition channel at a distance of 430 m.