Forces on Edge-Hinged Panels in Gradually Varied Flow

Abstract

This paper describes a mathematical model leading to experimental analysis to estimate the hydraulic forces on a prototype edge-hinged panel (wicket gate) in gradually varied flow. The two-dimensional potential theory of hydrodynamics is used to model the effect of the mean water flow approaching a gate aperture controlled by a hydraulic wicket in a locks-and-dam system. The mean pressure against a typical wicket partially blocking the aperture is then modeled using conformal mapping. The elastic reaction at the supporting shaft of the gate is derived from equilibrium considerations. The effect of the fluctuations of the pressure field about the mean is obtained through an application of the theory of stationary random processes. The total design reaction at the shaft of the wicket is cast in a first-order second-moment format. The theoretical model is compared to experiments on a 1/25-scale physical model. The application of the model in hydraulic design of wicket gates is illustrated by means of a practical example.