Mathematical model & methodology for optimal hydraulic design of labyrinth spillway.

A spillway generally includes a type of regulator structure placed normally placed at right angles to the direction of flow. It is possible to increase the capacity of an existing spillway if the length the spillway crest is increased or discharge coefficient is increased or the operating head is increased. The combination of these approaches can also be adopted. This type of weir is more economical. It can be considered as the realistic solution for enhancing the discharge without any increase in width of the structure. The concept of labyrinth weir is specifically suitable at sites where crest width and up-stream water surface of weir are limited. It is also suitable if larger discharge capacities are actually required. Constructing a labyrinth weir in an existing spillway is useful to increases the crest lengths which can also increase the discharge ability maintaining the same operating head. This type spillway may also result in providing additional reservoir storage capacity as compared to more gated spillway. Labyrinth weirs may be the attraction in order to fulfill required design flood criteria; shape and patterns of flow have discouraged its usage in the past. The current development of design may results in the extensive approval of structure in mega projects like interlinking river project in India. In this paper, an approach of mathematical modeling has been suggested for best hydraulic design of labyrinth weir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]