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The present research "Hydraulic evaluation and redesign proposal of the high-rate settler of the Nero (DWTP) Drinking Water Treatment Plant" has two main focuses: the evaluation of the current conditions of the settler, and then a redesign proposal of the unit with modifications in its configuration to optimize its operation. The study was carried out with tests and in situ measurements at the Nero Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP), as well as with laboratory tests. The DWTP's high rate settler has two chambers and ABS square tubular modules in the settling area. The present study focuses on the operation of the unit, assessing the effective sedimentation of the floc and evaluating the quality of the settled water. The Drinking Water Treatment Plant experienced an increase in demand of its initially designed water flow (60 l/s), which produced an increase in the flow (74 l/s) to the unit. Through laboratory tests it is determined that the sedimentation chambers have a maximum turbidity removal efficiency of 35%, due to the nature of the flocs produced in previous processes, also through in situ time history records an increase in turbidity is observed after the sedimentation process. For this reason, for future scenarios for a greater flow demand, improvements are required in the flocculation processes, to increase the efficiency of turbidity and color removal at the outlet of the sedimentation chambers.

The purpose of the present work was the evaluation and redesign of the hydraulic component of the rapid mixing and flocculation units in the Nero PTAP. These units were evaluated based on the geometry and the most influential hydraulic factors such as retention time and velocity gradient. It was determined that the rapid mixing unit works adequately for flows of up to 70 l/s. However, for higher flows the hydraulic jump drowns due to the higher downstream water level, which reduces the mixing energy. This causes insufficient velocity gradients for the type of mixing implemented. In the case of the flocculation unit, it was determined that the unit has an acceptable hydraulic behavior in terms of retention times and flow. However, the velocity gradients are considerable higher than those considered for the design (50% and 33% higher in the chamber 1 and 2 respectively). This negatively affects the performance of this unit. Based on the results, it was proposed to improve the performance of the rapid mixing unit, by modifying the surface water levels and the transition between the rapid mixing unit and the flocculation unit in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the hydraulic jump. In the flocculation unit, it was proposed to reduce the velocity gradients, by reconfiguring the panels to have velocity gradient in the order of 60 and 27 s-1 which are closer to the design values, especially in chamber 2. This improves the behavior of the flocculation unit for an analyzed flow of 85 l/s.

The main focus of this study is the validation of a laboratory predictive models for determining the bedload transport rate in mountain rivers. Large-scale tests were conducted in a multipurpose channel by creating an immobile bed layer and a mobile bed layer. During the tests, larger granular particles were introduced and deposited onto the previously established immobile bed layer. Finally, a 45-minute observation period was established to determine the bedload transport, but the test could be concluded once the particles were no longer in motion. The material transported by the current was collected in traps equipped with net meshes, drained, and weighed. The collected data were processed and subsequently analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Most of the obtained data fell within an acceptable range (1/2 order of magnitude). The formulations d16 (2 mm) and d50 (9 mm), with their respective diameters, maintained a slightly better performance compared to the formulations d84 (21 mm) and d90 (30 mm). The d50 (9 mm) formulation, regardless of the diameter used, maintains the best performance, as only 22% of the data falls outside the established range. The highlighted diameters in this formulation were d90 (30 mm) for the steeper slope, and for the other slope, the highlighted diameter was the smallest (d16)(2 mm). The d84 (21 mm) and d90 (30 mm) formulations showed good performance on steep slopes (5%) with the mean diameter (d50)(9 mm).

This study proposes an integral evaluation of the hydraulic performance of the flow control system of the direct lateral intake located at Campus Balzay, using analytical, experimental and numerical methodologies. Initially, the experimental methodology is used to determine the operating flow range of the thin plate V – notch weir. As a complementary tool, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used, implemented by means of the OpenFOAM program, using a discretized mesh of the construction site obtained by means of the Salome Meca program. The simulated data were validated through a qualitative characterization of the flow patterns and the interpretation of velocity maps for different flow rates. Additionally, the analytical methodology was applied to determine the discharge coefficient and the discharge curve for the spillway. As main results of the study, from the field measurement it was identified that the operating flow range of the spillway oscillates between 0.048 m3 /s-0.288 m3 /s. Numerical modeling was used to calibrate the effective roughness height for the channel, with a value of 0.0025. Then, the discharge coefficient of the weir was obtained, which adjusts to the theoretical limits, being 0.589. Additionally, the discharge curve for the weir was generated and it was verified that the flow behavior along the structure adheres to the expected physical principles. The parameters obtained allow a deep understanding of the flow behavior and are very useful in future hydraulic development projects.

For the development of the titling work, it was proposed to carry out a comparative analysis between the results obtained by conventional design methods and design assisted by numerical modeling of a hydraulic flocculator of horizontal flow partitions. It has been proposed to carry out a selected case study, an initial exploratory analysis to apply, evaluate criteria and generate information through the application of conventional methodologies. Likewise, in a complementary way to the defined case study, it was proposed to implement a numerical model that allows contrasting and validating results. Three sets of activities aligned with the specific objectives and scope were planned for the study. The first is the analysis of a conventional design for a horizontal flow wall flocculator, the second is the implementation of a numerical model to study a horizontal flow septum flocculator, and the last one is the comparative study of conventional design methods and numerical modeling. In the titling work, the hydraulic flocculator of horizontal flow partitions located in the Water Plant of the El Descanso Thermoelectric Power Plant, owned by the Empresa Electro Generadora del Austro ELECAUSTRO S.A., was taken as a case study. The conventional design was carried out using the theory related to fluid mechanics from the different authors who have studied it; for the numerical modeling, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program was used, which solves the Navier-Stokes flow government equations iteratively. Salome-Meca was used as a computational tool to perform pre-processing, OpenFOAM software for processing, and Paraview for post-processing. The comparative study showed that Computational Fluid Dynamics tools allow a detailed examination of water flow behavior, which for conventional design has more significant uncertainty.

In hydraulic projects, the projection of structures such as spillways and gates is essential. These structures allow capturing and directing the flow, regulating flows and levels, as well as facilitating operation and maintenance. One of the most used structures, essential for flow control in flood scenarios, is the excess side weir, which, like other adjoining and control works, is normally designed by traditional methods that include important simplifications in relation to a bidirectional behaviour of the flow. In this context, in the present graduation project, the analysis and validation of the traditional design criteria and procedures for a structure used to discharge excess flows through a side weir is proposed for a case study with a flow considered representative for small and medium magnitude structures. The analysis was performed by contrasting the results obtained with OpenFoam a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software that solves numerically the fluid flow governing equations. The numerical model allowed to obtain a guided simulation of the behaviour of the flow in the vicinity of the excess side weir. As the main result of the present work, and after the comparative analysis between the conventional dimensioning and the numerical flow model results, it is concluded that the empirical-order simplifications used in the conventional design procedures that consider unidirectional flow don’t compromise the accuracy of the representation of the real flow profile. The flow patterns obtained with the numerical model correspond adequately with the flow profile estimated with the conventional procedure. Therefore, important modifications are not required since variations in water levels have values in the order of 1.74%.

Hydraulic geometry (HG) theory has been applied to characterize the morphological changes that a river undergoes as a result of changes in discharge. Furthermore, HG has been used in a variety of studies including indirect discharge estimates, habitat assessment, and flow resistance analysis. Since a river is always evolving towards a morphological equilibrium, HG relations are obtained based on measured data that relate top width, mean flow depth, and mean velocity with discharge. At-a-station and downstream HG have been defined to characterize river development at a cross-section and reach scales, respectively. Dimensionless forms of downstream HG relations have been proposed to capture the physics of river morphology. Median sediment diameter d50has been used as the characteristic diameter to put HG relations in dimensionless form. However, for rivers with coarse bed material, it has been shown that the characteristic diameter may be greater than d50. In the present study, field measurements from a high gradient (slopes from 2% to 10%) gravel bed river (d50from 4 to 25 mm), the Tabacay River, are used to establish the downstream HG relations and to determine the impact of the characteristic diameter by considering d84and d90as characteristic diameters. Additionally, based on these relations, regime equations are obtained for the Tabacay River to compare the performance of each characteristic diameter. The results helped to define the appropriate characteristic diameter to make HG relations and regime equations more representative of measured data.

The development of systems and technical solutions for green infrastructure that integrate: vegetation, soil management, and modernization of the water supply, is essential to reduce the negative effects of urbanization. In this sense, the present work focused on the design of a irrigation system for the green area of the Eco-campus Balzay (Universidad de Cuenca), contemplating management and operation components that respond to the planning of a modern ecological campus. For the development of the project, the area was characterized by identifying infrastructure requirements, physical conditions, water requirements for the development and maintenance of green areas, and alternatives for water provision. After having selected the irrigation methods and application technologies, the hydraulic and technical organization scheme for irrigation has been proposed, and the distribution system has been dimensioned by applying the model for flow hydraulics, EPANET. With this work, a comprehensive design for the irrigation system of the Eco-campus Balzay is proposed. The study considers the technical aspects of distribution-impulsion, as well as the management aspects, based on a technical organization scheme, by sectors and irrigation frequencies.

Universidad de Cuenca has experimental farms for training processes in the scientific fields of production and engineering. In order to promote agro-production and optimize water resources, it is necessary to improve the institutional infrastructure for irrigation, as well as the complementary infrastructure. In this context, for the “El Romeral” farm, it is proposed to carry out a reengineering study, which allows the Universidad de Cuenca, to have in the future, a technical and economic proposal for the implementation of new irrigation technologies, optimization of the water resource, and maximization of the production. For the study, it has been proposed: i) to characterize the project area and the biophysical aspects, through the analysis of available information, and the determination of the water needs for the project; ii) to analyze irrigation technology alternatives, identifying different operation and management scenarios for the conduction, distribution, and application of water for various methods; and, iii) to design a comprehensive technical proposal for the irrigation system, which includes main and complementary engineering works, and the economic needs of the project.. Through this study, an important contribution is made to the institutional processes for the sustainable development of infrastructure and experimentation centers, through which the training processes of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences will be strengthened, as well as the interrelationships and academic collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering in the fields of irrigation engineering, irrigated agriculture, land management and agricultural drainage

Bedload transport rates for high-gradient gravel bed rivers has been studied through a physical model that replicated the typical features of these channels. A stepwise regression was performed to identify the best predictors from a set of independent variables. As independent variables channel slope, the ratio of area occupied by large particles to the total plan area, flow discharge, mean flow depth, mean flow velocity, water surface velocity, boundary shear stress, and shear velocity were considered. Different characteristic diameters (d16, d50, d84, and d90) were used to nondimensionalize the variables as well as to test the influence of grain size. A linear and a potential model were obtained for each characteristic diameter. Based on the correlation coefficients (R2) with the data used to build the models, the d50 and d84 linear and potential models were selected to perform further analysis. A set of independent data was used to verify the selected models. Better performance was observed for the potential models with 96% of the data falling within ½ order of the magnitude bands both for d50 and d84. R2 for the d50 and d84 potential models were 0.63 and 0.76, respectively. Therefore, the d84 potential model can be selected as the present study representative model.

The current study presents an experimental procedure used to determine bedload sediment transport rates in channels with high gradients and coarse sediment. With the aim to validate the procedure for further investigations, laboratory experiments were performed to calculate bedload transport rates. The experiments were performed in a laboratory tilting flume with slopes ranging from 3% to 5%. The sediment particles were uniform in shape (spheres). The experiments were divided into four cases based on sediment size. Three cases of uniform sizes of 10 mm, 15 mm and 25 mm and a case with a grain size distribution formed with the uniform particle sizes were considered. From the experimental results a mathematical bedload transport model was obtained through multiple linear regression. The experimental model was compared with equations presented in the literature obtained for gravel bed rivers. The experimental results agree with some of the models presented in the literature. The closest agreement was seen with models developed for steep slopes especially for the highest slopes considered in the present study. Therefore, it can be concluded that the methodology used can be replicated for the study of bedload transport rates of channels with high gradients and coarse sediment particles to study more general cases of this process such as sediments with non-uniform shapes and sizes. However, a simplified model is proposed to estimate bedload transport rates for slopes up to 5%.

Modelling climate is complex due to multi-scale interactions and strong nonlinearities. However, climate signals are typically quasi-periodical and are likely to depend on exogenous-variables. Motivated by this insight, we propose a strategy to circumvent modelling complexity based on the following ideas. 1) The observed signals can be decomposed into non-stationary trends and quasi-periodicities through Dynamic-Harmonic-Regressions (DHR). 2) The main-frequencies and decomposed signals can be used for constructing a harmonic model with varying parameters depending on exogenous-variables. 3) The State-Dependent-Parameter (SDP) technique allows for the dynamical estimation of these parameters. The resulting DHR-SDP combined approach is applied to rainfall- monthly modelling, using global-climate signals as exogenous-variables. As a result, 1) the model yields better predictions than standard alternative techniques; 2) the model is robust regarding data limitations and useful for several-steps-ahead forecasting; 3) interesting relations between global-climate states and the local rainfall’s sea- sonality are obtained from the SDP estimated functions.

In hydraulic projects for flow transport to free surface, it is often necessary to control the average speed in order not to exceed erosive values. For this purpose, there are empirical methods based on the concept of artificial roughness. The available methods propose to construct, at the bottom of the channel, elements of geometrically regular shapes in order to cause an increase of local resistances, decreasing the speed (Krochin, 1982). The most representative available method presents values of the Chèzy roughness coefficient for roughness types established as double zigzag, cut bars, and continuous bars (Mostkov, 1954). However, aspects related to the effects caused by the variation of flow, bottom slopes and length of the stretch with artificial roughness are still unknown. In the present work, a complementary study is proposed for the method proposed by Mostkov. For the study, experimentation was carried out in a physical model with a reduced scale that was not distorted. The physical model was implemented in a rectangular channel 12 m long and 0.30 m wide, contemplating variations in slope, flow, and configuration of artificial roughness. The study analyzed the performance of three types of artificial roughness in a simplified representation, dynamically and geometrically similar to the phenomenon of flow analyzed, and responds to the factors associated with variation and development of the velocity profile. The study establishes its design, configuration, and behavior for different types of roughness.

In Ecuador, steep rough-bedded channels constitute the main component of mountainous drainage system. They provide sediment to milder-slope downstream channels. Thus, sediment transport represents a driving process in natural drainage system. Namely, it defines river morphology evolution. To quantify and to understand the magnitude and effect of this process in the surrounding environment, the understanding and knowledge of bedload transport must be improved. The study of sediment transport in steeper channels with coarser material is a complex process. The continuously changing environment results in a high uncertainty in the quantification of sediment transport rates. Some equations have been proposed to quantify the rates. However the lack of actual measured data does not allow proper quantification and verification. On the other hand, hydraulic geometry (HG) theory has been applied to generate elements for a consistent monitoring of rivers behavior. Dimensionless HG relations that replicate what is observed in rivers have been obtained. Parameters such as top width, mean flow depth, mean velocity, and suspended sediment load of several gravel-bed rivers have been related with liquid discharge. The present study proposes the characterization of bedload sediment transport of steep gravel-bed rivers in terms of dimensionless HG relations. Measurements in various reaches along a river of bedload transport rate are performed to determine the parameters (exponents and coefficients) of the HG relations. The results represent a contribution that allows the reduction of the lack of field-measured data as well as the application of a theory generally used to characterize hydraulic-geometric parameters to characterize bedload sediment transport.

Sediment transport is an important process for rivers and natural channels. The determination of sediment transport is a very complex process due to the high variability and changing nature of the factors that intervene. As a contribution to the description of this kind of phenomenon and to highlight the problems, the needs and potentials of the numerical approaches, OpenFOAM solver settlingFoam is used to simulate sediment transport in a rectangular channel. The model used constitutes a simplification of a complex procedure based on the application of a single parameter (alpha) to determine the fluid-sediment mixture features. High variability was found between the results from different alpha values. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information to determine the appropriate value of this parameter. However, even though the procedure applied and the results obtained have to be taken as a reference, this study provides valuable criteria for future research of this complex topic., El transporte de sedimento es un proceso importante para ríos naturales, su determinación es un proceso complejo debido a la variabilidad y a la naturaleza cambiante de los factores que intervienen. Como una contribución a la descripción de este fenómeno y para enfatizar los problemas, las necesidades y las potencialidades de los enfoques numéricos, el solucionador settingFoam (OpenFoam) es utilizado para simular el transporte de sedimentos en un canal rectangular. El modelo utilizado constituye una simplificación de basada en la aplicación de un solo parámetro (alpha) para determinar las características de la mezcla fluido-sedimento. Alta variabilidad se reporta en los resultados para diferentes valores de alpha, sin embargo, existe poca información para determinar los valores apropiados para éste parámetro. A pesar de que el procedimiento aplicado y los resultados obtenidos deben ser tomados como referencia, este estudio provee criterios valiosos para la futura investigación de este tema tan complejo.

Sediment transport is an important process for rivers and natural channels. The determination of sediment transport is a very complex process due to the high variability and changing nature of the factors that intervene. As a contribution to the description of this kind of phenomenon and to highlight the problems, the needs and potentials of the numerical approaches, OpenFOAM solver settlingFoam is used to simulate sediment transport in a rectangular channel. The model used constitutes a simplification of a complex procedure based on the application of a single parameter (alpha) to determine the fluid-sediment mixture features. High variability was found between the results from different alpha values. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information to determine the appropriate value of this parameter. However, even though the procedure applied and the results obtained have to be taken as a reference, this study provides valuable criteria for future research of this complex topic., El transporte de sedimento es un proceso importante para ríos naturales, su determinación es un proceso complejo debido a la variabilidad y a la naturaleza cambiante de los factores que intervienen. Como una contribución a la descripción de este fenómeno y para enfatizar los problemas, las necesidades y las potencialidades de los enfoques numéricos, el solucionador settingFoam (OpenFoam) es utilizado para simular el transporte de sedimentos en un canal rectangular. El modelo utilizado constituye una simplificación de basada en la aplicación de un solo parámetro (alpha) para determinar las características de la mezcla fluido-sedimento. Alta variabilidad se reporta en los resultados para diferentes valores de alpha, sin embargo, existe poca información para determinar los valores apropiados para éste parámetro. A pesar de que el procedimiento aplicado y los resultados obtenidos deben ser tomados como referencia, este estudio provee criterios valiosos para la futura investigación de este tema tan complejo.

Fluvio-morphology is responsible for characterizing rivers and their associated processes involving the analysis of changes experienced over time in both their longitudinal profile and their cross sections. In this context, fluvio-morphological and erosive processes are developed in the bed and in the banks respectively generally due to the presence of high flow rates that generates high shear stresses. In the present work, an exploratory technical study is developed to identify channeling and streambank protection solutions in a reach of Tarqui River located in Azuay province. The river presents several morphodynamic and erosive processes. This puts at risk the stability of its streambanks and the safety of existing works. In this study, the characterization of the main fluvio-morphological processes as well as the analysis of the hydraulic behavior of the river have been performed through a two-dimensional simulation allowing the identification of critical zones. The simulations have been performed using Iber model. Finally, the dimensions of river channeling and protection of its streambanks works are proposed based on the strengthening of streambanks and bioengineering techniques at a pre-feasibility level. Through this study, an important contribution to the understanding and application of techniques for design of intervention works and flow control in mountain rivers is made.

The sustainable management of sediments is an untreated problem in Ecuador, however, it is of great importance to be directly related to water resources, to the use and use of them, and to environmental and ecological aspects. In the last decade, a large number of hydroelectric projects have been built in the country, which are beginning to feel the lack of a sediment management plan. These works represent an interruption in the transit of sediments from the upper parts to the lower parts of the river basins, as well as a problem and costs in the operation and maintenance of the existing projects. Punctual hydraulic solutions in the projects can contribute to optimize the management and the processes of sediment washing, however, in some cases around the world the loads received from sediments exceed the capacity of the hydraulic works, being a theme that evolves over time According to changes in land use within the river basin. This study contributes to the understanding and diffusion of the state of the art in studies and research on sediment management in Andean basins carried out in Ecuador. Taking the Paute basin as a case study, the study needs are identified in this issue and recommendations are set forth to contribute to initiatives to propose and implement sustainable management plans for sediments in Ecuador.

In the present titling work, physical hydraulic modeling has been used as a design technique to ensure optimal operation of the structure and to facilitate decision making. The structure for the evacuation of excess flows of the Mocache dam has been identified as a case study. The dam is part of the Megaproject "Plan de Aprovechamiento y Control del Agua, en la Provincia Los Ríos, PACALORI". Being a discharge structure constituted by two rapid ones, one of them in curved, fast form of flow that involves many disadvantages of erosion, undermining and sudden variations of drafts between the external and internal edges of the curve; for which it has been optimized its design, constructing a reduced scale physical model and implementing variants of design such as diagonal obstacles, concentric spans, cant transition and counterpendent (0.2% - 2%), and evaluating the results that these alternatives present for the maximum design flow rate. In addition, efficient variants are identified and combinations are made between them, resulting in even better results, such as adequate flow distribution and optimum velocities that do not exhibit undercutting phenomena. The study was concluded presenting the optimum alternative evaluated for four flow rates of design.

The University of Cuenca has a system called ESIUC that is oriented to the management and administration of the different types of information systems that are handled within the university, such as: the SGE(Performance Evaluation Management System) and the SGAP(Postgraduate Academic Management System). According to the perspectives raised by the staff in charge of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Department of the University of Cuenca, it has been determined that there is no centralized system in charge of the management and execution of the different evaluations presented in the two environments. This project presents the creation of a system in charge of the management and automation of the evaluations that are handled within the Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses at the University of Cuenca based on the SCRUM methodology. The system was developed through the framework of applications AngularJS based on the MVC pattern and that has a client-server architecture that connects through REST web services.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a branch of fluid mechanics that provides a means of simulation using numerical methods and algorithms to simulate systems in which processes such as fluid flow, heat transfer phenomena among others. CFD has as fundamental principle the numerical resolution of the equations of governance in a discretized domain (volumes or finite elements) for one, two and three dimensions. Three-dimensional 3D models (Maselhe, 2012) now represent the most advanced state for modeling. In the last years the development of tools and capacities of the computer technologies, makes feasible the use of numerical models for the analysis of increasingly complex situations like the turbulent flows and the interaction of natural channels with hydraulic works built on the same ones, as well as their performance (Pavel,N., A.I.B,M and C,N., 2001). In that context, with the purpose of characterizing the hydraulic performance as well as the configuration and influence of the geomorphological conditions of the flow of approach to the entrance, in the multipurpose channel of the Hydraulic and Fluid Dynamics Laboratory LH & DF of the Balzay campus of the University of Cuenca (CAP) and to validate the results of the design process, through the present study, FLOW-3D three-dimensional numerical modeling software has been implemented in the work, which is based on approximations with finite differences or volumes that describe the movement of the fluid , dividing the fluid regions into rectangular cells into a three-dimensional mesh for flow calculation by solving the Navier-Stokes equations using a turbulence model (Flow Science, I., 2014). With this study we will obtain numerical simulation results that are countered with the results of the design process in order to evaluate and optimize the CAP design. Through the analysis and discussion of the results obtained it is shown that numerical modeling is of great help in the practice of Hydraulic Engineering, since

In this work, an equipment was designed and implemented to measure the hydraulic jump generated in a hydrodynamic rectangular channel. The channel is used for the practices that are developed in the subject of hydraulics of the Civil Engineering career. This equipment measures the different heights in different sections of the channel, where the phenomenon of the hydraulic jump is generated. The measurement of the different heights is carried out by means of an ultrasonic distance sensor (the HC-SR04). To measure the horizontal displacement an incremental encoder is used, which is placed in the axis of the wheel of the equipment. Later, this information is sent wirelessly, via Bluetooth communication (with the help of the HC-06 module), to a computer that through a software (developed with MATLAB) will perform its respective processing to generate the graph that display the profile of the hydraulic jump generated. This project intends to change the way of developing hydraulic jump practice and give a technological alternative that encourages the interest in research and development of equipment, not only for this practice but also for many others that are carried out in conventional manner.

alteration of the bed slope, change the width and variation in velocities. Increases in velocities accelerate bank erosion. It is a common practice, protect the banks against scour processes with protective walls of rock or cement, but this solution brings adverse effects on the river´s hydrodynamic processes. That is why this study propose natural techniques for design structures of rivers bank protection, in order to avoid scour progress processes. The study comprises a one-kilometer section from the Tomebamba River, located in Cuenca-Ecuador, which is vulnerable to degradation by the bank´s scour, and where the executed solutions are not suitable. In the order to design protection banks the following information was collected: channel and floodplain topography, historical hydrological information, detail land use, and particle size of the channel. Scour be quantified from depth and flow velocities, resulting from two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling of the river from Saint Venant equations. Finally, three design alternatives based on bioengineering and biotechnology techniques are proposed.

Several formulas have been proposed for calculation of bedload sediment transport in natural channels. In the present work, Two-dimensional numerical simulation of flow using Iber model has been stablished. All with the aim for calculation of bedload sediment transport in the Yanuncay River, Azuay province. Once the model is generate, a comparative study has made between the results obtained with empirical formulas and the numerical model’s results. The model is implemented on a structured triangular mesh where the mesh size was three meters. In this model, stormflows were evaluated. The median grain diameter of sediment and roughness, were obtained from particle size analysis in four points along the stream flow. The results of the numerical simulation present a remarkable similarity with two empirical formulas. The sediment transport rates obtained from Van Rijin equation are higher than the results obtained from Meyer Peter & Müller equation. When comparing bedload sediment transport rates between the numerical model and empirical formulas, Meyer Peter & Müller, Van Rijin and Engelund Hansen empirical formulation`s values are higher than numerical model results. A less correlation between numerical model results and empirical formulation is presented in the control middle section of the river. It happens because there is not data about topography of floodplain. Therefore, the boundary condition is not real. The highest correlation between numerical model results and empirical formulas results can be noticed in the upstream section. Although, the results present a considerable dispersion between numerical model and empirical formulas. Bedload profiles obtained from Meyer Peter & Müller equation are the ones that show the least variation in the analyzed sections. However, these results must be set up with a physical model, in the case that this study has applicative purposes.

The current article presents a projection for Graduate Programs at the Universidad de Cuenca based on the analysis of the current condition and the challenges that are subject to the universities. Here, the main issues on globalization and its effects on public policies, which influence the management of graduate programs, are considered as starting points. Additionally, relevant aspects of pertinence and evolution of graduate studies and their administration worldwide and the challenges that these kind of programs face are addressed. As a contribution to the analysis, elements for the development of a graduate institutional model considering: academic offerings with relevance, academic integration and internationalization, the strengthening of the quality, and the management are proposed with the purpose of encouraging the discussion and analysis and exchange of opinions that allow the construction of a graduate management institutional model for the Universidad de Cuenca within an integrated concept to knowledge generation and scientific production processes and individual and collective development. One of the main objectives of the present document is to strengthen and promote an offer of graduate programs highly competitive and fully connected to the productive and strategic sectors of our society.

Potential bed-load transport rates are determined by an experimental study in a moving-bed physical model. The study was conducted for the Calabí River located on the coast of Ecuador to the "Plan of Development and Control of Water in the province of Los Rios" than is executed through the agreement between the University of Cuenca and the SecretaríaNacionaldel Agua (SENAGUA). This study evaluates the response of the physical model to the processes for incipient movement for specific conditions related to flow and a comparative study of the theoretical rates projected for several equations available in the technical literature is done. The study establishes that the river Calabí presents an armor layers in the gravel bed in reference to diameter d50 than represents the surface material. For material that representing smaller diameters and for the formative flux, the study stablishes a transport rate of 6.61 kg/s/m for the prototype scale.

In order to establish the flow pattern in the works annexed to the Minas San Francisco Hydroelectric Project, and to validate the results obtained through the small-scale physical model executed by the Program for Management of Water and Soil (PROMAS) and the Hydraulics and Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at University of Cuenca, through this study, the three-dimensional numerical modeling software SSIIM (Simulation of Sediment movements In Water Intakes with Multiblock option) has been implemented to the prototype of the reservoir and to works annexed to the project. This software is based on the approximation of a control volume with a three-dimensional mesh for flow calculation by solving the Navier-Stokes equations with the K-epsilon turbulence model. The study reports results of numerical simulation that are compared and analyzed with qualitative and quantitative results obtained from the study of the small-scale physical model. A good correspondence between numerical simulation and physical modeling is reported, confirming the flow patterns, the velocity distribution and streamlines, and the presence of local phenomena of interest for the project. Through the analysis and discussion of the results, it is concluded that the three-dimensional numerical modeling with SSIIM constitutes a complementary support to physical modeling to study the hydraulic performance and flow processes in subcritical regime in hydraulic structures of hydroelectric generation projects. Finally, recommendations are made to make way for the implementation of future studies to compare and analyze the performance of other models of numerical simulation as a tool for the design and analysis of the operation of hydraulic structures and flow processes in civil engineering projects.

This work was carried out in order to establish the pattern of water flow and sediment in the sedimentation tank of the Hydroelectric Project “Coca Codo Sinclair” (CCS), using the three-dimensional numerical modeling software SSIIM (Simulation of sediment movement in Water Intakes with Multi block options), which is based on the approximation of a control volume using a three-dimensional mesh for the water flow calculation through the Navier-Stokes equations with the K-epsilon turbulence model, while for the sediment transport the Convection-Diffusion equation is solved. To carry out the study of the flow pattern of water and sediment, was implemented the numerical model to the prototype of the project, obtaining the velocity distribution, streamlines, sediment concentration and storage areas to along the sedimentation tank. The results obtained from the numerical simulation performed in SSIIM, were compared and analyzed with the results obtained in studies of the physical model and system flushing sediment SEDICON Sluicer implemented for the project and which were executed by the laboratory of Yellow River in Zhengzhou -China, and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) of Mexico, finding compatibility between the results of numerical simulation and the results of physical model. From the results and the analysis has been concluded that: i) The design conceived to the sedimentation tank has high retention efficiency (97%) for the design particles (0.25mm), and ii) Numerical modeling by SSIIM presents a good performance for the three-dimensional simulation of the movement of water and sediment movement processes in the sedimentation tank, being recommended for use for the study and evaluation of hydraulic structures in general.

The use of numerical models to represent natural processes is increasingly common. The development of advanced numerical tools allows a more physically-based representation of complex flow phenomena. While more advanced systems can be solved, the uncertainty of the accuracy of the solutions obtained remains. The mere comparison between experiments and simulations is not enough proof of strength of the results. The Grid Convergence Index (GCI) methodology has been proposed with the aim to provide a mechanism to calculate and report discretization errors estimates in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It permits the quantification of the uncertainty present in grid convergence. This method uses a grid convergence error estimator that is obtained by applying the generalized Richardson Extrapolation theory. The process is applied to an axisymmetric sudden expansion laminar flow case. Experimental results are used to verify the numerical simulation and GCI outcome. As a result of the application of this method the order of accuracy of the numerical scheme was verified. Additionally, comparing the numerical results with the experimental values, a maximum error of 6% was obtained. Finally, considering the two finest meshes, it can be concluded that the asymptotic range has been reached and that a finer Mesh won’t improve the accuracy of the solution when considering the increased numerical cost.

The purpose of this thesis is studying of hydraulic Flushing into the Hydroelectric Project Minas – San Francisco, through the experimental study on a reduced scale physical model (1/60). In order to know the efficiency of the bottom outlets were conducted several trials, which were aimed at sediment flushing processes in the reservoir, for which different considerations were raised in terms of the height of sediment in the reservoir, the used flushing flow and the influence of the flashboard. In all flushing tests were simulated three stages of operation of the gates of the bottom outlets. We performed a qualitative analysis of tests, and also comparisons of the volumes of sediment flushed from land surveys made after the end of each test. The performance of sediment flushing processes has not been suitable, since it was not possible to do an efficient flushing process on the right bank around the zone of the intake, so it is necessary to implement other alternatives to improve the flushing process.

This thesis studies the exchange of surface water and groundwater in the river Cumbe through flow measurement in a stretch without inflow and outflow. The methods for calculating flow into nine sections of measurements determined along the river course are made in three ways, through measuring instruments of flow: molinete, Flowtracker and level sensor. The Molinete obtains the flow by applying formulas in terms of the average flow velocity and cross-section. The Flowtracker has a system that directly calculates the flow. The level sensor in the control section, obtains the flow by applying formulas or series analysis of water level data. Flow values are compared in spatial and temporal way. According to the variability between flows, the river presents the two conditions of exchange, wins flow in some sections and loses it in others. The studied stretch presents two values of a roughness coefficient, the first of 0.021 that corresponds to the first seven sections and 0.033 for the last two, due to the differences presented in the composition and presence of vegetation.

This study provides an analysis of the meteorological, hydrological and hydraulic information to establish parameters and criteria that allowed the validation of the procedures of calculation and design for the bridge over the Jadán River located in Jadán, in the province of Azuay. The analysis incorporates a characterization of the morphological and hydrological drainage area of the project and a study of the hydraulic processes related to flow and scour. It has been determined a maximum precipitation in 24 hours of 72.3mm, with an intensity of 3.01 mm/h. In this concern it has been obtained as design flow the value of 215m3/s which corresponds to a return period of 100 years by the method of the SCS. For the study of flow it has been used the software HEC RAS through which have been given the maximum drafts, speed, and type of flow, applying as conditions of edge: the coefficient of roughness of the riverbed and the margins and the data of flow, obtained in the construction of the total hydrograph using the SCS method. It has been obtained heights of flow of 3.2m above the riverbed with a speed of 4.72 m/s. Finally for the characterization of scour it has used the method of Lischtvan - Levedliev which had been achieved an expected depth of 1.6 m. Through the study has concluded that the conditions of design established for the bridge that is already built, are consistent with the results obtained in this study