Numerical study on flow patterns over the three-side spillways

Three-side spillways are one type of dam outlets that despite of their hydraulic limitations and construction problems, under specific topographical conditions selected as one of the best options in storage dams. Considerable energy losses, great turbulence and hard stroking on bed and walls of lateral canal are some of undesirable hydraulic features of these spillways. Due to the complexities of fluid flow and the impact of scale, physical models do not provide a clear understanding of the physics governing the flow. In the complex flow and structures, is necessary to be considered, the laboratory studies, along with the numerical studies. In this study, Three-dimensional flow field in the three-side spillway and the end sill, have been investigated by using FLOW-3D software with finite volume method and RNG(k-e) turbulence model. Comparison of numerical results with experimental data showed that this model have a good ability to prediction three-dimensional flow pattern over this kind of spillways.